Hi all
Will be starting a reroofing job shortly (shingle, 45 pitch).
There’s a skylight in the roof (about 20 years old).
Never leaked, but first, should it be replaced?
Second, what’s the feeling on replacing it with one that opens?
I’ve got mixed feeling and worry it might end up leaking (we are in Vermont!).
I’ve never had great luck with skylights, no matter how good a job I do, I seem to get one that leaks.
I thought it was me, but my partner says he’s had problems also.
Suggestions? Re-use, replace, replace with an opening one?
Any thoughts and suggestions (and advise to be watertight).
Also, I can’t remove it, unfortunitly.
Jeff
Replies
Jeff,
Replace the skylight. Fixed or vented, if it is installed correctly and is a quaility unit (don't buy a cheapo), it won't leak. Just dont leave it open during rain/snow. It is way easier to replace it now than it will be later.
If for some reason you decide to keep the old one, be careful removing the flashing. Depending on what type of unit it is, you may have to reuse some of the flashing. <Cringe> I hope you don't go down that road.
Good Luck
-Britt
how could you repace it if you can't remove it????????
I hope the roof pitch is 45 degrees and not 45/12! A pitch that steep would explain why it isn't leaking yet.
OK, down to business,
Velux
If it is Velux, you should be able to keep it if no damage is apparant.
If it is not Velux, you need to emphasize the word 'YET' i regareds to it leaking.
Replace it with a Velux. good flashing package and good instructions.
Operating is fine. They need to leave it open in a storm to get it to leak.
Oh Yeah, one more thing -
Velux
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Hi Pif
Yeah, I like Velux also.
About 5 years ago, I did a sunroom with 5 Velux skylights. Used their flashing package and followed all the directions.
1 leaked. Ended up caulking the top and sides multiple times till it finally stopped.
Not sure what the one on the current roof is.
Jeff
Oh yes, 45 degrees.
Jeff
Edited 8/9/2004 6:52 am ET by Jeff in Vermont
Sounds like you need to atend the piffin puddles skylight seminar, LOL
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
When and where?
Rhodefest
end of the week
Mike's house in RI
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Another vote for Velux.
I did my son's bedroob last year, and since I had to put on a roof anyway, Asked the roofers to install the lite.
It rains in Vancouver - not as much as in Seattle, but enough.
It never leaked all winter, but I made sure I got the flashing and Ice dam kit with it.
Jim Blodgett does Columbia skylights with his own flashing and syas his stuff does not leak, too.
I thisnk it's also the installer.Quality repairs for your home.
Aaron the HandymanVancouver, Canada
AAron ....Im ina bind cant remember what the structure is called that covers a deck or patio with ezxposed rafters or joists like a roof trellis . sorry to but in but I need help
Pergola
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Piff ......you can have half my kingdom and my eternal gratitude. My only explanition is tempory insanity and my brain went blank . Have the best week you ever had and thanks again ........
As I get older, I find that someone leaves the window open in my mind occasionally too, and the breeze moves things around...
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Now that Piff is "hors de combat" he gets to spend more time on the Forum than I do. Thanks Bro Piff. Glad he could help, Nails.
Quality repairs for your home.
Aaron the HandymanVancouver, Canada
A 45 Degree roof has a slope of 12/12
ohhhh .....
JeffBuck Construction, llc Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
Like trying to tell the Pope about Catholicism.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
Since I didn't put in the smilly face, you probably missed the fact that I was yanking his chain about the minor typo error on the 45°
Anyways, Jeff - I don't know where that leak came from. I hate to say it was installation error without being there but that is most often the case.
It is best, when installing ANY skylight, to wrap it with Vycor or strips of ice and water shiel in 'L' style up the sidewall before flashing it. Another thing is that most 'leaks' in skylights are more likely condensation issues so you have to pay attention to the when and how dynamics of the symptoms. I always like to seal around the framing from inside after the flashing is done with spray foam from the can. That helps curtail a lot of that problem.
Whenever skylights come up, I always remember one I installed for one of my favorite customers ever. Old lady who had always wanted one in her kitchen because it was on the north side of the house and only had a small window over the sink. She spent a lot of time in her kitchen but it was dark and unhappy in winter. She also wanted to be able to open it to vent heat out when she was baking in the summer.
So, when I was roofing the house, I got her this nice operating Velux about 3o" wide and 4' tall with a set of blinds for shade. It was beautiful.
Then a week later, she called to tell me it was 'leaking'. That was quite a mystery to me, since it had only sprinkled once at night in the whole week - just enough to settle the dust.
Turned out that it was colleecting moisture from all the cooking she did, which ran down the glass, and managed to divert itself to the handle connect, and drip off it in only one place - right on her forehead when she was standing at the sink. Talk about Chinese water torture! Five or six drops every morning to get her blood moving - and her fingers dialing.
What I eneded up having to do was to fashion a little gutter pan on the inside for those few drips to land in and evaporate again, and she began using a fan more in the kitchen. still smiling at me.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I have Velux that opens and doesn't leak. It's only a year old, though, but the GC says he's never had one that leaks. Had alot of snow piled on the roof last winter after one storm. 'sure is good at venting the hot air in the summer. The openable ones only cost a bit more than the fixed; I wouldn't bother with the fixed units.
No skylight with step flashing will leak especially Velux.
they have em' that open completely from the center hence "skywindow".
I never had one that leaked on me no matter what the pitch.
Just be ready to throw em your check book but its worth it.
Be lit : )~
andy
The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Replace the old with a new Velux venting unit. Follow the directions, take care installing with their flashing, and it will not (fingers crossed, standard disclaimer, etc., etc., etc.) leak. I attended a Velux installation seminar earlier this year in Worchester Ma. and they showed off their new integrated auto closing units, which look pretty slick to me, though the price is somewhere out there near that spacecraft orbiting Saturn.
Great
Thanks for the info.
Sorry, working on the roof, won't be able to attend.
Jeff