Can Homeowners Prevent a Leaky Skylight?

9/23/2020 (Permalink)

Skylights in Monte Sereno Roofs Often Leak. What to Do? Call SERVPRO for Water Damage Cleanup and Restoration. "Like it never even happened."

Monte Sereno Residents Can Prevent Skylight Leaks with a Few Simple Precautions

Monte Sereno is a unique city with just over 3,000 residents. It has no commercial zoning and is primarily single-family dwellings. Like many Californians, the residents are sun lovers. Skylights allow sunshine into homes but can also have a problem with leaking.

How Difficult is it to Repair a Skylight Leak?

Skylights are a beautiful part of many homes. They can increase the value of the home while letting light shine throughout the house. But if they are not sealed properly, they can become a homeowner’s nightmare. Skylights can sometimes be challenging to repair when there is moisture seepage. The older the skylight, the more likely it is to have problems. Newer built products are less likely to leak, but it can still occur. This can lead to the need for professional water mitigation services in Monte Sereno. Signs you may have water damage can include:

• Dripping from the skylight
• Discoloration of the drywall around it
• Water stains on the ceiling or walls
• Nearby ceiling tiles crumbling
• Musty smell or physical signs of mold in the area

Finding the source of water is vital. There can be many reasons for a leaking skylight.

Check the Roof

It is possible that the skylight might not be the problem; it could be your roof. The moisture caused by the weather could be infiltrating damaged roof tiles. Having your roof inspected annually for loose or damaged shingles can help prevent this problem.

Improper Sealing May Be the Issue

This is one of the typical reasons for skylight leaks. Anytime a skylight is not sealed correctly, you are going to end up with problems. Re-caulking can prevent water intrusion. Flashing prevents water from seeping in, and leaks can result when it needs replacing.

Cracks in the Skylight

Anything wears with age, and a skylight is no different. Age can cause cracking, which leads to water damage. Falling debris can also impact the glass. When this happens, the window needs to be replaced.

Indoor Condensation

Many times, skylights get placed in bathrooms. Showers can cause warm, damp air to rise and come in contact with the cool skylight. The result is moisture droplets form and drips back down into the room. You can prevent this problem by:

• Turning on a bathroom fan when showering
• Cracking a window if no fan is available
• Use a dehumidifier in the home
• Check for improper installation
• Improve the insulation around the skylight

Understanding Water Damage

If your skylight allows moisture to come into your home, it can cost quite a bit to mitigate the damage. Household items could be ruined, and you may end up needing professional water restoration. Your ceiling and walls can be affected by the leak. If the moisture gets behind the walls, hidden water damage such as mold can occur.

Can SERVPRO Restore My Ceiling & Walls?

Our technicians handle ceiling and wall water damage regularly. They assess each situation and apply the needed techniques to repair and restore the impacted areas.  If your ceiling has tiles, it is often more cost-effective to replace the tiles than to restore them. Moisture can cause them to bow and have stains even if dried. The tiles may need to be removed even if not affected so that air can circulate and help with drying.

If the walls contain several layers of sheetrock, it may need extended drying times. If the sheetrock is saturated, it can take 5 – 7 days to dry. Several layers can take longer. But if the damage is minimal controlled demolition can replace the areas where the water has done the most damage.  While working, SERVPRO techs use penetrating moisture probes to ensure all layers are dry, not just the surface.

Can You Clean My Carpets While Here?

SERVRPRO offers routine carpet cleaning and maintenance. We have several options for carpet cleaning. They include:

Bonnet Cleaning – The least aggressive cleaning method and is used for light soiling. It’s a quick-drying method that works well on a low cut pile or low-level loop carpets.

Shampoo Method – Shampooing is a very good maintenance cleaning technique. It works well on light to moderate soiling and low cut pile carpets.

Hot Water Extraction – This is a deep cleaning process typically involved in restorative cleaning. The cleaning solution is heated and pumped through a portable extractor or a truck-mounted one.

Deluxe Preconditioner and Rinse – This cleans more thoroughly than hot water extraction alone. For moderate to heavy soiling when restoring carpets.

Showcase Cleaning – This is the most effective carpet cleaning process used by professionals. It can clean the heaviest soiling. It involves using a cleaning process on the carpet twice.

If you find yourself needing professional water mitigation due to a leaky skylight or some other problem, we have the experience, expertise, and equipment to restore your home to preloss condition.

Contact SERVPRO of Los Gatos / Monte Sereno at (408) 600-2020 quality water mitigation service. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.