When you stumble upon a puddle of water below your skylight, it is critical that you find the true cause. Moisture of any kind is a serious problem for the structure of your home– especially your roof. Below, we’ll help you investigate the problem so you can take the necessary steps to prevent more extensive (and expensive) home repairs.
WHERE IS THE WATER COMING FROM?
Is there is a visible water stain at the header of the skylight, or the side toward the peak of your roof? If so, you may have some faulty flashing that’s allowing rainwater to get in. Surrounding each penetration in your roof, whether it’s a skylight, chimney, or vent, roofers install a strip of metal called flashing to create a watertight seal. If your skylight flashing is working properly, the culprit could be bad flashing around fixtures above it. Rain may get through some bad chimney flashing, then make its way down between the layers of your roofing system before it saturates the ceiling at the next opening– your skylight.
If you see signs of water damage at the peak side of your skylight, call a trusted roofing contractor for a leak inspection. Avoid making any repairs yourself if you don’t have the training as this can cause additional problems and cost you more in the long run.
On the other hand, if you’re seeing evidence of moisture at the sill, or the bottom of your skylight you could have more of a condensation problem than a roof leak. Condensation can accumulate more when it’s cold outside or when there’s high humidity inside, like in the bathroom. To keep it from dripping, most skylights are made with a condensation channel around the edges to capture it and drain the water through “weepholes” to the outdoors. When there’s a blockage in the drainage system (or lack of a drainage system), the channel can overflow and drip on the floor. If you discover a water stain at the lower end of your skylight, hire a professional to take a look at it.
Moisture problems, no matter where they originate, can cause significant damage to your roofing system if left to persist. Even if you’re convinced it’s just condensation, do what you must to absolutely sure. Contact Pacific West Roofing about your skylight today. Call 503-635-8706.