DIY Skylight Flashing Repair to Stop Water Infiltration
Come on, admit it. How many of you have noticed a slight leak in your skylights after a particularly heavy spell of rain, and have simply brushed it off as nothing to worry about, hoping that the problem clears itself up?
If you are indeed guilty of the above, rest assured you’re not alone. You will also likely have discovered that, unfortunately, the problem didn’t go away by itself, and that your leaking skylight probably got even worse the longer you left it.
If you have noticed your skylight leaking and have discovered water finding its way into your home, chances are that your skylight flashing will be damaged, or has been installed incorrectly, and will need to be repaired or re-done. While it may sound complex and expensive, if you know what you’re doing, you’ll find that there are a series of DIY fixes you can implement yourself.
Here are several DIY skylight flashing repair tips to stop water infiltration inside your home.
What is Skylight Roof Flashing?
Don’t worry, we’ll get to the fixes in a few moments, but before we do, we first need to take a look at exactly what skylight roof flashing is. The more you understand about it, the easier repairing or replacing it will be.
Basically, the flashing on your roof around your skylight is extremely important as it is this which helps to keep the skylight from leaking, by providing a watertight seal that prevents water from infiltrating inside your home.
That’s all well and good, but what exactly is it? Well, flashing is basically a thin strip of metal that can be made from a variety of different metals, including steel, copper, and aluminum. The strip of metal is placed around the edge of the skylight and is typically sealed using a water resistant cement, or similar bonding agent. It is designed to provide a watertight seal where the skylight joins the roof. If the flashing is damaged, has been installed incorrectly, or has come away from the skylight, the join will no longer be watertight and whenever it rains, water will be able to find its way under the skylight and into your home.
Not only does flashing help to prevent leaks and stop water getting into your home, it can also help to protect your roof, protect the interior décor of your home, and prevent mold, mildew, and water damage in general.
Common Causes of Damaged Skylight Flashing
If the flashing surrounding your skylight is damaged, this could be down to a variety of different reasons.
Here are just a few of the more common causes of damaged skylight flashing.
Age and General Wear and Tear
As great as skylight flashing is when it is brand new, like all things in life, the older it gets, the more it begins to break down and deteriorate.
Even the strongest of metals can succumb to the elements eventually, and for those who live in countries with extreme weather conditions, skylight flashing will gradually begin to break down and weaken. Eventually, it will no longer be watertight, and that is when water will find its way into your home.
Incorrect Installation
Another cause of a leaking skylight flashing which is unfortunately far too common in this day and age, is incorrect installation.
Some people will attempt to save money by trying to install the flashing themselves, despite not possessing the necessary tools, equipment, or expertise. Usually, these fixes are not viable, and it isn’t long before the rain starts seeping through.
Even if you pay to have a skylight and flashing installed professionally, there’s no guarantee that it will indeed be done professionally. If the flashing has been fitted shoddily, it won’t sit flush, it won’t form a watertight seal, and it will leak.
Poor Weather
Without question, one of the most common causes of a leaking skylight is damage to the flashing caused by the weather.
Extreme weather can really take its toll on the flashing. Heavy rain, snow, ice, frost, strong winds, extreme heat, extreme cold, and temperature fluctuations can all cause skylight flashing to wear down and degrade over time. The worse the weather conditions are, the quicker the degradation process will be.
DIY Skylight Flashing Repair Tips
Now that we know what to watch out for, it’s time to look at what you can do to repair the flashing surrounding your skylight to ensure it’s watertight.
Here are a few handy tips.
Gather the Right Tools and Equipment
First off, if you’re thinking of tackling the flashing surrounding your skylight, you’re going to need to find the necessary tools and equipment.
These include:
The flashing itself
Caulk gun
Waterproof cement or sealant
Putty knife
Safety gloves and goggles
Safety ladder
Pry bar
Roofing nails and hammer
Microfiber cloth and clean water
Inspect the Damage
Once you have the necessary tools and equipment, it’s time to safely head up onto the roof to inspect your skylight and the flashing which surrounds it.
Give the skylight and surrounding area a good clean to remove any dirt or debris. This will make it easier to see any signs of damage, plus it will make it easier to carry out the repair.
Examine the flashing and look for signs of damage. See if you can see where the flashing is coming away from the roof, or where the skylight itself could be damaged or discolored due to the water.
Remove the Old Flashing
Now, carefully remove the old flashing that needs to be replaced. Carefully pry it away from the skylight. You may need to remove some roofing shingles to gain access.
Install the New Flashing
Once the flashing has been removed, again, clean the surface and surrounding area, dry it thoroughly, and begin fitting the new flashing.
Measure the flashing, cut it to fit, and secure it in place using roofing nails and waterproof roofing cement or sealant. Take your time around the edges and the seams, as this is where any water could get in. Sealing it will help keep it in place and will ensure that it doesn’t leak, or come away.
Test Your Repair
Once you’ve allowed the skylight flashing and sealant/cement enough time to dry/cure/harden, it’s time to test your repair.
Apply a decent amount of water to the skylight and check to make sure that none of it is getting under the flashing and into your home.
Assuming the inside of your home is nice and dry, that’s a job well done.
