As amazing as it is to have skylights in your home, one of the main issues you’ll potentially have to deal with is a leaking skylight.
Skylights offer fantastic views up into the sky and are great for letting more sunlight into the home. The problem is, in some instances, skylights have been known to leak, especially in particularly wet areas.
When it’s raining, properly sealed skylights can be relaxing as you can watch and listen to, the rain coming down. If your skylights are leaking, though, they certainly won’t be relaxing. In fact, they’ll cause a great deal more stress.
While leaking skylights are fairly common, the good news is that re-sealing them is not that difficult if you know what you’re doing and take your time.
If you’re dealing with skylight issues at home, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to seal a skylight leak.
Locate the Source of the Leak
To begin with, if you’re faced with a leaking skylight, one of the first things you’ll need to do is find out where the water is getting in.
Skylight leaks are fairly common, but before you can begin a repair job, you need to figure out how the water is getting in, and whether you’re faced with one leak or several.
If you’re able to get up onto the roof safely, examine the skylight, the seal, and the surrounding area and look for any signs of damage or general wear and tear. If you do notice the seal coming away in one spot, don’t assume that’s the only place where the water is coming in. Check the whole skylight and its surround to make sure there aren’t multiple leaks.
Gather Your Tools and Materials
First and foremost, before you can begin carrying out any fixes or repairs on your skylight, you need to make sure you have the right tools and materials.
Re-sealing a skylight isn’t hugely complex, but it’s a job that you need to do right so you can’t cut corners by using cheap tools and materials. Depending upon the amount of work required, typically you’ll need the following:
- Safety ladders
- Gloves
- Eye protection
- Utility knife
- Sealant
- Finishing tool
- Caulking gun
- Damp cloth
- Safety gloves
- Dry cloth and/or paper towels
- All-purpose outdoor cleaning spray
- Dustpan and brush
Check the Weather
Before you can begin re-sealing your skylight, check the weather forecast for the next two days. In order for the repair to work, the seal needs time to dry naturally, without overheating.
Ideally you want warm, dry weather with a light breeze to help the sealant dry quicker. Check the weather forecast, and if rain in the next 24 – 48 hours looks highly unlikely, go for it.
Examine the Glass
While most skylight leaks are caused by the seal perishing, being damaged, or coming loose, don’t rule out a faulty sheet of glass as the culprit either.
As well as examining the skylight seal and other parts of the roof nearby, go ahead and take a look at the glass too. If there are any breaks, cracks, or chips, the glass will obviously need to be replaced. If there is condensation between the layers of glass, this too is a sign of damage and could be where the rainwater is getting into your home.
Remove All Old Sealant
If you are looking to seal a leaking skylight, once you’ve identified the source of the leak, the next thing you need to do is remove the old sealant.
Located between the flashing and the skylight itself, carefully scrape away the old sealant using a utility knife. Make sure to remove all the old sealant. Don’t attempt to cut away the damaged parts and don’t try to apply new sealant over the old layers. When sealing a skylight, all the old sealant must be removed so really take your time here to ensure you get every last bit.
Clean the Skylight and Surrounding Area
Once you’ve removed as much of the old sealant as possible, the next thing you need to do is clean the skylight and the roof surrounding it. This is not only to help make the finish neater and more professional, but it’s also essential for guaranteeing a perfect finish. If the sealant is applied to dirty, uneven surfaces, it may not adhere properly and form a watertight seal.
Obviously, as your skylight now has no seal, don’t be tempted to clean it, along with your roof, with the hosepipe or gallons of water, not unless you want to flood the inside of your home. Carefully sweep any dust, dirt, or debris away from the skylight and where the seal will be, along with the nearest sections of the roof.
Next, give it a quick spray with a suitable cleaning solution and gently wipe it with a damp cloth before going over it with a dry cloth.
It’s important to wait for the skylight to dry completely before you apply the sealant, otherwise it won’t adhere. After using the dry cloth, let it continue drying in the breeze. It shouldn’t take long, so use the time to grab a drink or a quick lunch before you progress with the repair.
Carefully Apply Your New Sealant
Now comes the most important, and arguably, the most daunting part of the repair as it’s now time for you to start re-sealing your skylight.
Take your sealant and caulking gun, and using your utility knife, cut the nozzle of the sealant at a 45-degree angle.
Now for the moment of truth. Begin slowly but surely applying the sealant around the edges of the skylight and the flashing. Try to start with the corners as this way it’ll be easier to create a straight line.
Smooth and Finish the Seal
After applying the sealant, don’t worry if it looks rough and uneven, because you can deal with that next.
Using a sealant finishing tool, gently run it over the sealant, maintaining the same speed and pressure until it’s all smooth, flat, and level. This helps the sealant to fully adhere to the skylight and create a watertight seal. It also gives it a smooth and professional look.
If you don’t have a finishing tool you can use your finger. Making sure your hands are clean, dip your finger into warm, soapy water and run it along the length of the sealant you put down. Be sure to wipe away any excess sealant.
Once you’ve finished, examine the seal you’ve put down and make sure it’s all smooth and even. If you notice any gaps that you’ve missed, carefully remove the sealant and re-apply it, making sure it’s smooth and fully adhered to the surface.
Now you simply need to wait for it to dry, and the next time it rains you’ll hopefully find your once-leaking skylight is now as good as new.