Repairing Skylights In The Windy City

Southwest Chicago Skylight Repair

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One of the most common places for roof leaks to occur is around skylights.  This is even a more common problem in places like Chicago where weather temperatures can change from real hot in the summer to extremely cold in the winter in a relatively short period of time.

This causes stress on just about everything, including the buildings, roofs, chimneys, and their skylights.  If you are looking for repair work to be performed on your leaking skylight in Chicago and the Southwest suburbs, you came to the right place.

Some repair companies will break your budget (http://www.lovemoney.com/) fixing the smallest problem. You won’t have to worry about that with me! I give clients all the information they need, plus options for everything to be repaired. I make sure clients are well-informed up front, and I charge reasonable prices for my work. I hope this website is helpful. Feel free to contact me whenever I can help!

Causes of Skylight Leaks

Many leak problems begin when water gets under gaps in the skylight itself, the flashing around the skylight, or the flat roof membrane that goes up what is called the “curb.”

When this water freezes in the Windy City, it expands causing the gap to expand. After a few seasons of this expansion and contraction, it starts to leak.

Repairing Or Replacing?

Most often a skylight can be repaired rather than being replaced entirely.  Even old skylights with cracked glass can be repaired with the right materials and know-how.

Replacing an existing light, or installing a new one, can be a major construction project. Many people are content with their current system, other than the leak. This can be repaired without, not only the added expense, but the mess and inconvenience of having an unwanted construction project in your home.

Finding the Leak

The first place that I check is around the rubber seal that runs along where the glass and the metal meet. There can also be flashing that surrounds the glass on the top of the skylight as well.  If I see anything that looks worn, cracked, or having any large gaps, I make note and then continue the inspection.

Skylights on a Shingled Roof

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On a pitched shingle roof skylight, step flashing run under the shingles and along side of the skylight. Usually a counter flashing also covers the step flashing.  The first thing I look for is exposed nails under the shingles.

Many times roofers nail the flashing to the roof deck and leave the nail exposed. Rather than nailing high, they put the nail low, thus leaving the nail exposed. While the shingle may cover the nail, the flashing is not. Over time water gets under the nail head, freezes, and actually lifts the nail up causing a skylight leak.

The proper way to nail the flashing to the roof deck is to have every piece of flashing cover the nail that is holding the piece below the other. Every piece of flashing should totally cover the nail holding the piece below it.  This way water never touches the nail head, and you can’t see any nails even if you lift up the shingles.

This is the number one reason for leaks around skylight flashing on a shingle roof that I have come across. The funny thing is, this is a basic mistake! What’s the big deal with putting the nails up a few inches higher? I guess I’ll never know.

Skylights on Flat Roofs

A  flat roof skylight does not actually sit directly on the roof. These sun tunnels sit on what is called a curb. Several types of flat roof membrane run up this curb. I look for cracks and what are called bird’s mouths in the membrane.

In some cases any cracks or gaps can simply be patched with the proper material. In other cases the damage may be more extensive and resurfacing may be the wiser option.

I like to re-roof at least two feet on the roof deck itself, as well as up the entire curb with the appropriate material for the particular roof membrane.

In some cases I will patch any minor areas with torch down rubber patch, and then apply a liquid roof coating, such as elastomeric coating, to the entire area around the skylight and the curb.

I have over 20 years experience in roofing, flashing systems, and skylight leak repair.  I service the city of Chicago as well as the Southwest suburbs. 60477