Installed in your roof is a skylight, a valuable feature that benefits your home and its residents. But as an owner of a skylight, you need to be aware of maintenance, which includes replacing the skylight when the time comes. Read on to learn how often you need to replace the skylight on your roof to ensure it continues letting the light in.
Why Skylights Need Replacement
Like your roof, the skylight requires replacement to ensure it operates at its best. Over time, the skylight can begin to degrade from the glass cracking or the sealant deteriorating. Extremely hot or cold temperatures will damage the skylight and shorten its lifespan during prolonged periods of harsh weather.
Additionally, replacing your roof but leaving the old skylight leads to leaks due to old flashing. Replacing the skylight at the end of its lifespan is the best solution to ensure you have the best coverage on your roof and an excellent natural light source from above.
How Often You Need To Replace a Skylight
The average lifespan of a skylight varies depending on its installation and the conditions it undergoes while on your roof. Improper flashing or damaged sealing could result in a much shorter timeframe of how often your skylight needs to be replaced. Typically, the average lifespan of a skylight is between 15–20 years, but it’s possible to increase this lifespan with maintenance.
The best way to know when to replace the skylight is by looking for signs such as leaks, cracks, or difficulty opening and closing it. Every skylight has limitations, like any part of the roof, and ensuring you replace it at the right time is essential for ease of use and avoiding costs from damages caused by a leak.
Maintenance for Your Skylight
Maintaining the skylight will prolong the time before you need to replace it. After the initial skylight installation, you must maintain it by cleaning it often. Debris, like leaves, may find their way onto the skylight and dirty the surface.
Use clean, warm water with a window squeegee for the best results. Apply a non-abrasive window cleaner for a streak-free shine, and use a mixture of vinegar and water to clean animal droppings off the surface.
Keeping the glass clean will ensure the skylight has less chance of cracking and needing a sooner replacement. Maintaining the flashing around it by keeping it debris-free will help rainwater flow easier. Wiping up condensation after warm summer storms or from ice melt will protect the insulation from degrading.
Your home’s skylight is a valuable part of your roofing, and replacing it will continue the benefits it provides. Contact Conde Roofing & Construction LLC for skylight replacement services; we’ll provide all the help you need, thanks to our experience in quality roofing.
