Leak-Free Skylight Installation Tips

When skylight installations go smoothly, you’ll enjoy warm, natural light while decreasing energy costs. Remember, though, that do-it-yourself skylight projects should be undertaken carefully in order to avoid roof leaks and costly repairs.

Leak-Free Skylight Installation Tips

To achieve calculated energy performance, it’s best to have a local roofing contractor install your skylight. However, if you prefer to install the skylight yourself, be sure to carefully follow manufacturer guidelines and take the following points into consideration.

Check the slope of your roof before installing the skylight. Water is less likely to leak into your home if the skylight is properly positioned and water is able to run downhill (and off of your roof). In addition, a properly tilted skylight is more energy efficient. Most skylight manufacturers recommend that homeowners calculate skylight tilt by adding 5 to 15 degrees to their home’s geographical latitude. If you’re installing a skylight that required the building of a “curb” or raised lip, cover the curb tightly with high-quality, waterproof flashing. The skylight manufacturer should carry waterproof metal flashing, but you can also purchase it from a roofing supplier.

Spread a layer of waterproof roofing cement around the metal edges. To ensure a tight flashing seal. A putty knife works well for this. The layer should be uniform and approximately ¼- to ½-inch thick.

Apply roofing cement or epoxy to the bottom of the shingles as you reattach them around the skylight, and include a layer around the skylight’s perimeter, as well (on the edge of the adjoining shingles). This prevents water from seeping under the shingles. When installing the skylight yourself, you can never be too careful.

Consider purchasing a curb seal, which forms an airtight seal around the skylight, flashing and roof. After you’ve installed and sufficiently sealed your skylight, pour a bucket of water over its edges. Position someone inside your home to check for leaks while you observe from the outside.

Invest in Proper Installation. Skylight moisture control is hard to achieve, but when your new window to the world is correctly installed—you’ll be thrilled with the results. To request your estimate for skylight installation or leak repairs, contact Trudel and Sons Roofing, your Stouffville-based roofing repair contractor with over three decades of experience. We’re known for our top-notch customer service and fast response times.

DIY Gutter Repair Tips

If you follow our blog, you know that we are huge advocates for proper maintenance and preventative measures when it comes to protecting your biggest investment - your home and its roof. Your gutter system is a huge part of a properly functioning roof, and it should be inspected and maintained much like your roofing system. Gutter problems can lead to poor drainage, costly interior leaks and foundation breakdown.

DIY Gutter Repair Tips

Let’s take a look at a couple of most common problems you may find as you’re inspecting and maintaining your gutters. 

#1. The Problem: Sagging Gutters. Over time, the fasteners and brackets holding your gutters against the roof perimeter may begin to pull away—or even break off—so gutters begin to sag. In addition to being an eyesore, this sagging allows debris and sludge to build up in the center of lengthy gutter sections. Sagging gutters don’t drain as well, and sludge causes gutter deterioration over time.

The Repair: Reseating or Replacing Hangers. If your gutters are held in place by spike-and-ferrule hangers, try caulking around the spike and allowing caulking to cure. Then, drive the long spike deeper into the roof’s edge. If the spike does not “grab” solid wood when you drive it, change out the spike for a larger nail or a longer wood screw. For clip-style gutter hangers, you must pull up the edge of the roof and reattach hangers to the underlay, or “sheathing.” Be gentle with the roofing material, or you may crack shingles and cause additional roof damage.

#2. The Problem: Popped Rivets. If your home is protected by aluminum gutters, they’re probably attached to one another by rivets or small screws and further secured with roofing sealant or silicone caulking. As gutters shift and warp due to water weight, wind and age, rivets and screws may pop loose. Caulking also dries out over time, losing its ability to support gutter joints.

The Solution: Reinstalling Rivets. After climbing safely up to the roof’s edge, grasp the two loose gutter sections and place them together. Using a lightweight electric drill, make a small hole through each side of the gutter or downspout. Set pop rivets in each drilled hole, and use a pop rivet tool (available at most hardware stores) to secure the rivet into place. Apply a thin layer of roofing cement or exterior silicone caulking around the edge of the repaired gutter, and allow it to cure for 24 hours before testing the integrity of the connection. You may need to reapply a second layer of roof caulking to ensure a tight seal.

If you ever feel unsure or unsafe about performing any of these DIY fixes for your damaged gutters, don't hesitate to contact Trudel and Sons Roofing at (905)642-3515 and we'll be more than happy to send a pro your way to fix the problem!