Are you considering adding a skylight to your home, or do you already have one? These windows are the perfect addition to any home in dire need of natural light. They offer a warm, open, and inviting ambiance that enhances all sorts of design themes. However, like any part of your home, they, too, can wear out. When repairs, replacements, or maintenance is necessary, it’s a good idea to hire a pro.
You could DIY your skylight installation, repair, or maintenance, but these projects can be complicated. Plus, since improper installation, repairs, and maintenance can snowball into more serious issues (think water damage), it’s best to enlist the help of a skilled professional. This way, you won’t have to stress about the details!
Understanding the Value of Professional Skylight Services
It isn’t easy to install a skylight. After all, the suspended style of the window can be tricky to install, especially with gravity working against you. While some advanced DIYers may tackle the project on their own, it’s usually best to enlist the help of a professional skylight contractor. This way, you’ll get:
Ultimate Safety and Functionality
Installing a skylight requires the utmost care and precision. This way, they won’t come crashing down from their perch at random times or cause leaks that can lead to widespread water damage. When you hire a professional to get the job done, you can rest assured knowing that your skylight was installed correctly, ensuring a watertight and structurally sound skylight.
Maximized Benefits and Longevity
Professional skylight installers know the ins and outs of maximizing the benefits and longevity of your skylight. They will consider all aspects of your chosen skylight to maximize both, positioning it just right to maximize light intake and ventilation while minimizing heat loss or gain (great for energy efficiency).
Peace of Mind and Warranty Protection
One of the best parts of professional skylight installation services is the peace of mind you get. Skylights require some know-how to install, especially as a DIY project, so when you hire a pro, you can rest assured knowing it was installed properly.
Plus, many top-rated skylight contractors stand behind their work, offering strong warranty protection. Coverage can vary based on the provider, but if you get comprehensive coverage, you’ll enjoy protection for both the installation and specific repairs.
Skylight Installation Services
Installing a skylight isn’t easy. You’ll need to carefully plan the project, slice a hole in your roof, and neatly place the skylight to ensure a seamless fit that doesn’t leak. If you go the professional skylight installation route, services may include:
New Skylight Installation
Meticulous planning is an integral part of installing a new skylight. To select the right size and type of skylight, multiple contributing factors, such as the roof’s slope, the room’s purpose, and your aesthetic preferences, must be carefully considered.
Your contractor will handle all of these details to ensure you don’t have to stress about anything. They’ll handle the entire process, from the initial planning and permitting stages to cutting the roof, fitting the skylight, and sealing it to ensure it’s seamlessly integrated with your roof.
Sun Tunnel Installation
If traditional skylights aren’t your thing, you may opt for a sun tunnel. As with installing skylights, your contractor will start by planning the installation and getting any necessary permits to remain compliant with the local building code.
To install a sun tunnel, your contractor will carefully cut holes in your roof and ceiling, creating a slot for the sun tunnel to sit in. Next, they’ll position the tunnel, ensuring it aligns with the cut holes to allow sunlight to stream in. Lastly, they’ll seal the whole thing to prevent leaks.
Skylight Replacement
Unfortunately, skylights don’t last forever. After a while, they might be ready to retire, so when repairs can’t fix the problem, a replacement might be necessary. Replacing a skylight is similar to installing a new one, although there’s the extra step of removing the old one.
Skylight Repair Services
Given their rooftop perch, skylights are prone to damage from the elements, so repairs might be necessary after a while. Or, you might need repairs for issues surrounding improper installation or age. Either way, repairs might be able to correct common issues, including:
Leak Repair
A leaky skylight can let in water, opening the door to all sorts of water damage around the skylight and your home. To repair the leak, you’ll need to identify the root cause of the problem and address it accordingly.
For example, if the leak is coming from around the glass, a silicone-based sealant may correct the problem. Or, suppose the issue lies between the flashing and the roof. In this instance, the repair might require roofing cement under the shingle to adhere the flashing to the roofing felt.
Condensation Issues
Condensation on your skylight isn’t always abnormal—it can be the result of various internal factors, like poor ventilation or humidity. However, if neither of those factors is the culprit, there’s a good chance your skylight needs attention. There might be a crack, hole, or damage to the flashing, and if that’s the case, the repair depends on the exact problem.
For example, if the flashing is damaged, the repair might be as simple as replacing it. Or, if there’s a small crack in the glass, you might be able to use clear epoxy to remedy the problem. However, if the damage causing the condensation is severe, you might need to replace the skylight.
Cracked or Damaged Glass
Cracked or damaged glass on your skylight is more than a safety hazard. It can detract from the view and let in moisture, among other not-so-nice things. So, it’s best to repair it sooner rather than later. In some cases, small cracks might be repairable with clear epoxy, but if the damage is extensive, you might need to replace it altogether.
Defective Mechanisms
Like the other components in a skylight, the venting mechanisms on venting skylights may tap out after a while. Sometimes, the repair is quick and easy, requiring a few replacement parts. However, if the damage is severe or paired with other types of damage, it might be best to replace the whole thing.
Tips for Extending the Lifespan of Your Skylights
Like any window, skylights will experience wear and tear over time, but with the right maintenance, you can extend the lifespan of your skylights.
Complete Routine Preventative Maintenance
Regular care and upkeep are integral for promoting the performance and longevity of your skylights. As a general rule, you need to do maintenance tasks at least once a year, but ideally, twice per year or more (depending on where you live).
The maintenance checklist can vary from one area and skylight to the next. Your list will probably include a few basic maintenance tasks, such as cleaning debris from on and around the skylight, checking for leaks, inspecting seals and flashing, and ensuring proper ventilation.
Remember to Account for Seasonal Considerations
Depending on where you live, you may need to add a few more things to your maintenance to-do list. For example, perhaps you live in an area that regularly receives heavy snow in the winter. If that’s the case, you may need to brush off the snow when more than five to eight inches accumulate.
Or, let’s say that you live in an area that experiences severe storms in the summer. In this situation, it’s a good idea to check the skylight for debris buildup. Or, maybe you live in a chronically rainy climate, so it’s not a bad idea to check the skylight at the beginning of the rainy season for proper drainage and any potential leaks.
Watch for Warning Signs of Trouble
Skylights aren’t invincible and don’t last forever, so it doesn’t hurt to keep an eye out for warning signs of trouble. Check your skylight occasionally for signs of damage, such as cracks, leaks, or malfunctioning mechanisms that might need repairs.
Some of these problems, like cracks and leaks, can allow water inside your home. This can cause water damage in the area beneath and around the skylight, which can be a nightmare to repair and create the perfect environment for mold and mildew.
So, be sure to watch for warning signs of issues, especially after harsh storms.
Finding a Qualified Skylight Contractor
Not all contractors are well-versed or equipped to handle skylight repairs, replacements, and installations. So, to ensure you find a qualified skylight contractor to handle your project, remember to consider these factors:
Experience and Certifications
Before you commit to a contractor, ask about their experience and certifications. Your chosen contractor should have plenty of experience in all things skylight-related. Double-check that they’re fully certified to do what they do. This way, you can ensure you’re getting an experienced and qualified contractor to handle the job.
Insurance and Warranties
Ask each contractor about their insurance coverage and warranty options. On the insurance side of things, the contractor should have, at minimum, liability coverage. This is essential, as it protects you, as the homeowner, in case of any accidents or injuries occurring during the project.
They should also offer robust warranties that protect their work. The best contractors stand behind their work, usually offering workmanship warranties (on top of the manufacturer’s warranty, if applicable).
Positive Reviews and References
While you’re researching each contractor, browse through their online reviews. Oftentimes, you’ll find valuable insight in these reviews. This can give you a better idea of what you can expect from the contractor in terms of work quality, communication, and pricing.
If the contractor doesn’t have a large online presence, don’t hesitate to ask for references. Sometimes, they can provide references from previous clients, which, like online reviews, can give you a good idea of what to expect.
Clear Communication and Estimates
Hidden costs are an unwelcome surprise, and a contractor that doesn’t communicate can be frustrating. So, to avoid those issues, start on the right foot. Ask the contractor for a detailed estimate that includes all expected costs, as this will give you a better idea of what to expect and what to budget for.
While you’re chatting with each contractor, ask them about your point of contact. Sometimes, they’ll designate a customer service representative to work with you, but in others, it might be the contractor themself. Knowing your point of contact is a must—this way, you’ll know who you need to contact if you have questions or concerns at any point.