A significant percentage of skylights can stay for extended periods without requiring routine repairs. However, skylights are usually exposed to very harsh conditions of weather, and this implies that with time, they can develop leaks among other related problems. The gaskets shrink, the glass fails, and the skylight begins to leak. Even if you take great care of your roof, holes might still develop as a result of normal tear and wear. Furthermore, a leaky skylight could just be an indication of more severe hidden problems.

If you are experiencing leaks around the skylight of yours, typically, you’ll want to identify the source of the problem to ensure that the skylight repair is done as soon as possible. In some cases, skylight leaks might be a sign that you need serious roofing maintenance and repairs.

Common Roofing Problems: Diagnosing Skylight Leaks

It is imperative to note that the first major step in any skylight repair is to identify the primary source of the leak through a thorough inspection. On most occasions, the prospect of finding the source of a skylight leak can be a tricky and a daunting task. This is perhaps why it should handle by experienced and qualified professionals such as the roofing contractors at the Century Roof & Tile. Why? Sometimes, what seems to be a leak is typically collections of condensation, which might signal that your skylight is not adequately airtight. This particular phenomenon occurs mostly during the cold seasons, in damp locations such as greenhouses and kitchens and perhaps in single-glazed skylights. However, if there are streaks of running water down the wall which originates from certain points on the edge of the skylight, you probably have leak problems at your disposal.

Check to see that your skylight is completely closed, especially if it opens. Confirm if the weather seals are in good state. Moreover, you should know if the leak only happens during the winter, fall or when there are ice or snow accumulations on your roof. If that is the case, then you should examine behind the skylight for snow, leaves, ice or any other type of debris which might be clogging the downhill water flow resulting in your skylight backing up typically under the roof shingles.

You should know that leaks can originate elsewhere and flow into your house via the skylight. So if you don’t notice any issue with your skylight, you might need to consider making flashing repairs or roofing repairs. Water which enters through vent flashing or roof leaks can travel significant distances.

Handling the appropriate skylight repairs

If the skylight leak occurs in the flashing, which refers to the point of contact between the roof and the skylight, temporary repairs may be necessary. This can be done by using roof flashing cement all over the unit’s perimeter. But, proper repairs would mean eliminating the shingles near the skylight, installing the ideal flashing and reinstalling newer shingles in the region.

Leaks at the glass frame might have allowed water to enter the structure of the window, forcing them apart and resulting in the damage to the insulated glass’ seal. If it is proven that the insulating glass unit of your skylight is damaged, the unit can be re-sealed so as to prevent any further water leakage. But, for the dark skylight glass of a damaged window unit plus the condensation to be removed, you’ll need to replace the skylight.

Highly efficient and straightforward skylight repair tips.

• Use a tube or can roofing cement to close any holes or gaps in the flashing.
• Use a hundred percent tube silicone caulking to seal any leaks around the lens of the skylight.
• If still there are leaks in your skylight, you can either repair or replace the metal flashing around the skylight frame.

For a permanent solution, hire a Bay Area roofing contractor

If you are currently having trouble with a persistent skylight leak or any other roofing problem, you should contact the professionals at the Century Roof & Tile. With years of experience in the field of Bay Area roofing repairs, we have unmatched knowledge regarding the skylight installation procedures, repairs and long-lasting solutions to your skylight leaks. Contact us today and enjoy our high-quality roofing services of all kinds. Give us a call at 1-888-233-7548 or contact us via our online contact form.

While most people install skylights to improve lighting in  the home and add beauty to often used areas there are benefits beyond style and the function of providing needed light that make skylights an even better decision. Let’s explore some of the myriad benefits of skylights in the home.

1. More Vitamin D.

If you suffer from a Vitamin D deficiency, skylight installation may be just the cure you need. Per this article from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: “Most humans depend on sun exposure to satisfy their requirements for vitamin D. Solar ultraviolet B photons are absorbed by 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin, leading to its transformation to previtamin D3, which is rapidly converted to vitamin D3. Season, latitude, time of day, skin pigmentation, aging, sunscreen use, and glass all influence the cutaneous production of vitamin D3.”

2. Enhanced mood.

Research has shown that access to natural sunlight boosts your mood, stimulates your immune system and helps to ward off depression. Per WebMD: “a sunny day may do more than just boost your mood — it may increase levels of a natural antidepressant in the brain. A new study shows that the brain produces more of the mood-lifting chemical serotonin on sunny days than on darker days. Researchers say the findings provide more evidence that lack of sunlight and reduced serotonin levels are important in the development of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).”

3. Lower energy bills.

Similar to solar energy roofing, the addition of skylights and more natural light to your home reduces your need for electricity, which lowers your energy bills.

4. Visual appeal.

Bay Area skylight installation improves your home’s ambiance, making colors brighter and highlighting key architectural details. You can customize skylights to complement the design of any space, from tastefully-decorated bedrooms to modern, edgy kitchens.

5. Less mold and mildew.

Bathrooms, basements and other damp areas in the home are prone to a buildup of mold and mildew. Bringing more natural light into the area with the help of a skylight reduces the ability of these disease-causing organisms to grow.

[Related: 3 Reasons to Consider Skylight Installation When Re-Roofing]

Ready to Pursue a Skylight Installation for Your Bay Area Home?

Call the Century Roof & Tile team today at (888) 233-7548 with your questions about skylights, roof and solar installations! We offer a range of top of the line products and outstanding installation and pricing to make your home more energy efficient, more comfortable, and more valuable.

But how do you maintain skylights effectively? What happens if you don’t keep up with the maintenance? Will your roof develop leaks, mildew and mold? Will your home leach heat (or A/C) and thus drive up your energy bills?

These are great questions. Here are some tips to address skylight maintenance worries:

• Follow the manufacturer suggested cleaning regimens. Print out a copy of this regimen, and add it to your calendar to review regularly.
• Before you clean, gather all needed equipment, including: ladders, nonabrasive cleaners, cloths, gloves, and a bucket.
• When you clean glass, wait until the sun is not overhead – so you can see better and so the glass won’t be heated up to a scalding temperature.
• When you apply a cleaning solution, first soak the glass with water and soap; then use a brush or other nonabrasive tool to scrape away debris.
• If stains like sap or paint won’t come off with this method, you might need to judiciously use a razor blade. Scrape in one direction, and do your best to avoid scratching the glass.
• To clean insect screens: take them down and then spray them with a hose or run them under the sink. Let the screens dry thoroughly before replacing them.
• If you need to climb on to the roof – or on to some dangerous areas of your home – to access the skylights, be careful and work with the spotter. Roof work can be surprisingly dangerous, and poor ladder work, the fragility of your roof area, or just general carelessness/negligence can lead to accidents. Also, a badly done skylight cleaning job can actually damage the roof. For instance, if you spill a bucket of cleaning solution near the skylight, the moisture could seep into the wood and cause mildew and mold to form.

For help with skylight maintenance and repair, or for more information about solar roofing, get in touch with the East Bay roofing contractors here at Century Roof and Solar for help. Call us today: 1-888-233-7548.

The answer is: None, if you’ve installed sun tubes and sun tunnels strategically in your home!

This is exciting news – particularly if want to save money, enjoy a little more natural sunlight (got to get that Vitamin D somehow!), and conserve heat and electricity. Sun tubes and tunnels can make your place look more beautiful and elegant without breaking the bank.

Beyond Electrical Lights – A Path Towards Luminousnes

Sun tubes and sun tunnels offer a different, exciting, stylistic way forward. They bypass problems associated with electrical lights. Here’s how they work. Sunlight pours through a small opening, which gets amplified and reflected into the room. The tubes and tunnels can be small – as small as 10 inches in diameter. But the lambent ambiance is perfect for cramped places, like laundry rooms, closets, hallways and bathrooms.

The tubes/tunnels are also great for “reconnecting” your home with the outdoors. Another plus: they’re relatively inexpensive. Your lighting and energy needs will likely drop, and you can save on both cooling and heating costs, indirectly. So the work should basically pay for itself over the long-term.

Also, let’s face it: there’s something about natural light from the sun that’s both aesthetically and potentially biologically superior to artificial light. You can install tubes and tunnels without revamping the support system of your roof or installing special joists to provide reinforcement.

If you’re interested in learning more about the solar tube or tunnel option for your Bay Area office, condominium, home, or apartment, the team here at Century Roof & Solar can meet your needs. Our Diamond Certified specialists understand solar solutions deeply.

Call us now at 888-233-7548, or learn more at www.centryroofandsolar.com.

Before sun tube

After sun tube

Mistake # 1: Choosing the wrong shape/style.

The most common category is the standard flat style light. These lights generally come in square or rectangular shapes. But you can also find dome skylights, curb mounted lights, and customized shapes and styles. When choosing, most home remodelers only look at one or two aspects… and thus set themselves up to fail. For instance, say you’re just concerned about aesthetics only. So you pick a flat light. But you fail to note the potential for debris from a nearby tree to accumulate on the skylight. Cave in hazard, anyone?

Mistake #2: Failing to note how (or even whether!) the area will get sunlight.

In an ideal world, you want the sun to actually shine through the skylight.

But if you build the skylight at the wrong angle or on the wrong side of a particular room, you will get far less light than you ideally want. Or you might get too much sun! Or sun at the wrong time of day! Or any other number of problems. So you need to pay attention to where and how the sun transits across your home and roof

Mistake #3: Failing to plan to protect against leaks and insulation problems.

If you do your skylight improvement project “DIY,” you can easily make errors that can cost you big time in terms of heat leaching and structural weaknesses. A badly installed skylight is an easy and convenient place for mold, mildew and leaks. What’s frustrating is that your subtle mistakes may only reveal themselves months or years after you finish construction.

To make sure your skylight project goes smoothly – to avoid the subtle mistakes we just talked about that can potentially cost you money, heartache and thousands of dollars – connect with the experienced construction team at Century Roof & Solar.

Call us toll free at 888-233-7548 to get immediate help with your Bay Area skylight construction project.

Skylights and so-called “sun tubes” are becoming increasingly popular – not just among cutting-edge architects but also among “rank and file” building designers and homeowners.  What’s changed about our collective attitude towards these features?
1. First of all, skylights and sun tubes can help you save on electricity bills.
In an “up” economy, saving a few bucks a month on your power bill might not seem like much.  But in today’s troubled economy, homeowners and small businesses are turning over every rock to look for innovative ways to save. When you get natural sunlight through a skylight or sun tube to light up your kitchen, bathroom, rec room, or other area, you don’t need to keep flipping on and off the electricity.
2. Aesthetics.
Let’s face it.  A properly installed, “feng shui” engineered skylight can work wonders for a room.  Skylights are a lot more attractive than florescent overhead lights, for instance, and human beings have a biological craving for natural sunlight.
3. Airtight installations.
New technology and innovative installation techniques have resolved problems (leaks and loss of heat/cool air) that once plagued the skylight and sun tube industry.  A qualified and reputable company, such as CenturyRoof and Solar, can install airtight and leak-proof lights easily.
4. Remote control openings.
One possible downside to some skylights is that they must be cranked open and closed by hand.  This might not seem like to big of deal but if you are elderly, have a disability, or someone who might use the feature on a regular basis– a manually operated sunlight can be somewhat frustrating to use.  Fortunately, new technologies have solved this problem – many skylights can be cranked open via remote control now, nice for convenience and nice for show feature.
5. Vitamin D.
Compelling scientific research now suggests that many Americans suffer from vitamin D deficiency – a condition that’s associated with lack of natural sunlight.  By allowing more natural light into your home, you may be able to indulge (carefully!) in the sun’s natural rays and boost your vitamin D levels.
If you would like a personalized consultation regarding your skylight and sun tube needs, talk to the Bay Area leaders in roof systems, Century Roof and Solar.  Learn more at www.centuryrooftile.com or call 888-233-7548 for a free roofing/skylight sun tube quote.

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