If the interior of your home is looking dull, dark, and dismal, a fantastic way of letting more natural light inside is by installing a skylight.
Skylights may appear simple in design (they’re basically windows in the roof or ceiling) but the difference they make in terms of natural sunlight, aesthetics, and property value, is unbelievable. As with anything around the home however, as time goes by, they will begin to succumb to the effects of general wear and tear, and routine maintenance will be required.
If you’re noticing your skylight starting to look ragged and rundown, or worse still, if you’re noticing it’s letting water into your home when it rains, it’s likely that the seal is no longer functional, and your skylight will therefore need to be resealed. When it comes to resealing a skylight, the earlier you can take care of things the better. This is why spotting the warning signs of a failing skylight seal nice and early is so important.
Here are several signs your skylight needs resealing, and a few tips on how to do it.
Signs Your Skylight Needs Resealing
To start with, here are a few warning signs to keep a look out for, which could indicate that your skylight needs resealing, or will in the near future.
Drafts or Whistling Sounds
One of the most common signs that your skylight seal is beginning to perish is if you can feel a draft coming in from outside, or you can hear a whistling sound, especially when it’s windy.
Some skylights are designed to open slightly (vented) whereas others are fixed. Regardless, if you can feel a draft coming in, or can visibly hear the wind whistling from outside, this is a sign that your skylight is no longer fully sealed. If the wind can get in, so can the rain, and that can be a big problem.
Discoloration
Because skylights are located in the ceiling, and because most ceilings are painted white, it can be quite easy to spot any discoloration around the skylight. If you do notice any, this is likely down to rain getting in from outside.
If you can see any stains, or discoloration around the edges of your skylight, the most likely culprit is rainwater getting in from outside. This of course indicates the fact that your skylight seal is no longer intact.
Visible Damage or Cracks
One of the easiest ways of spotting a damaged skylight seal nice and early is to regularly inspect it a few times a year.
If your skylight seal is looking warped, cracked, or damaged in any way, there’s a strong chance that it will no longer do the job it’s supposed to do, and will therefore need to be replaced. Even if you notice a tiny crack, it will need to be taken care of as the problem will only get worse, especially in bad weather.
Moisture or Leaks
Without stating the obvious here, arguably the most obvious sign that your skylight needs to be replaced is if it is allowing water to come in from outside.
If you can see water in your home, or on the skylight itself from within the home, rainwater is getting from somewhere, and the whole thing will need to be resealed. There doesn’t need to be a huge puddle of water to indicate a problem, even the slightest hint of water means that it isn’t watertight.
While we’re on the subject, condensation or fogginess is another warning sign to be aware of, so be on your guard for these as well.
How to Reseal a Skylight
Okay, so assuming your skylight does indeed need to be resealed, what now? Well, if you’re capable of doing it yourself safely and correctly, here are a few tips on how to reseal a skylight yourself.
Identify the Problem
Before you can begin resealing your skylight, you need to identify the exact problem. If your skylight is indeed letting in water, inspect the skylight and seal and determine where the water is getting in, and what’s happened.
Check the Weather
As you’ll be working outdoors, it’s vital that you check the weather forecast to ensure that conditions are right for you.
Optimally you want 24 – 48 hours of dry, warm conditions without much wind. Most seals will require a number of hours to cure and fully adhere. If rain is forecast, don’t be tempted to try your luck. If it does rain before the seal has fully adhered, you’ll have to start over.
Gather the Correct Tools and Equipment
After diagnosing the problem and determining where the rain is getting in, you can prepare for work. Before you do, however, you’ll need to gather the correct tools and equipment. Common examples of things you’ll need include:
- Replacement seal
- Utility blade
- Safety ladders
- Protective eyewear
- Safety gloves
- Wire brush
- Scraper
- Clean cloths
- Gentle dish soap and water cleaning spray
- Safety shoes
- Bubble level
- Safety harness
- Measuring tape
- Caulking gun
Prep the Skylight
Now that you’ve gathered the necessary tools and equipment that you need to begin the repair, you’re going to have to prep the skylight.
Begin by carefully removing all traces of the old sealant. No matter what kind of condition the sealant is in, don’t be tempted to apply a new seal over the old one, as this is a recipe for disaster. Instead, you’ll need to take the time to remove all traces of the old seal.
Once the seal has been removed, carefully clean the skylight and the surrounding area. Try to remove as much dust, dirt, and debris as possible as any remnants could prevent the seal from adhering properly.
Before you begin applying the new seal, after giving everything a thorough cleaning, make sure you dry everything off. Microfiber cloths work great here, but just be sure that the surface is bone dry before you move on to the next step.
Apply the New Seal
Now you can begin applying the new seal.
Begin at the top edge of the skylight and work from top to bottom. This way, each new layer will overlap the last slightly, and ensure a watertight seal.
Ensure each layer of sealant plugs any gaps or holes. If you miss any, even something as tiny as the head of a thumbtack, rain will find a way to get in. Apply an even layer and maintain the same pressure on the caulking gun. Try to do it in sections and allow each layer to cure before you begin the next.
Once the seal has been applied, use a damp smoothing tool to push the sealant into all the gaps and give it a nice, even, smooth and professional finish.
Test and Admire Your Work
Finally, when you’re satisfied that you’re done, leave the seal to fully cure and when completely dry, you can test it using a garden hose set to a gentle spray to ensure that it is indeed watertight. Increase the flow bit by bit and, assuming the seal has worked, you can then clean up and admire your work.