When you’re a home inspector, checking the condition of the roof is one of the most important parts of the job. Roofs can have a lot of issues, and we often find problems with skylights.
Skylights can be a great addition to a dark room; they allow in lots of extra light that may not come through the windows because of trees or the positioning of the house. They’re considered a big plus in real estate transactions, even though they don’t cost that much to install.
As great as they are, however, they require homeowners to cut a big hole in their roof, which seems counterintuitive to protecting their home from the elements. While skylights look like windows, they have one crucial difference — they’re not vertical. This means, despite careful installation, they may let more than light into a home...but they often let water in as well.
Skylight leaks are not always apparent. Sometimes the water seeps in insidiously, slowly rotting the wood surrounding the window and possibly spurring mold growth.
A dry result doesn’t mean everything is fine, however; it might just mean it hasn’t rained in a while. Make sure your inspector has the proper tools - thermal camera and moisture meters.
With Skylights, Leaks Are a Matter of Time
Although skylights can last as long as 20 years, experienced roofers know that it is not a matter of if a skylight will leak, but when. The timeline depends heavily on the installation. A skillfully installed, curb-mounted skylight with proper flashing will likely stay leak-free for many years.
Also, check during your home inspection to see if the skylight functions properly. If it is equipped with a remote to open or close the window or a shade, see if it works. Debris falling onto the skylight, or simply age or mechanical failure, can cause the skylight remote functions to stop working.
