Skylights bring so much natural light and a sense of open space into your home that it’s no wonder most people would want to give their home this fantastic feature. But like any feature that connects your home to the great outdoors, skylights require proper care to maintain functionality and beauty.
An unattended skylight can last for decades, or it may leak, blow drafts, or fail. Maintaining your skylights requires knowledge because of their lifespan and improving your home’s energy efficiency for greater comfort. Let us take it to learning how to care for your skylight cleaning so it can endure years to come.
Clean Skylights Regularly to Avoid Build-Up
There always is dirt, dust, bird droppings, or leaves on your skylight; hence, regular cleaning of your skylight at least twice annually will keep it transparent to ensure that there is nothing wrong later. Clean the outside glass of the skylight using a soft piece of clothing or sponge, warm water, and mild detergent to avoid strong chemicals that will damage the protective coatings of your skylight.
In case it is not possible to reach some of your skylights, consider the use of telescopic cleaners or opt for professional service. Glass and surrounding flashing and frames should be cleaned. There are places that collect dust and if ignored can start leaking.
Check for Cracks or Damage in the Glass
Cracks in skylight glass result in water leaking and decrease the insulation qualities of the building, making your home less energy-efficient. Such small cracks in skylight glass are bound to expand with temperatures and might allow moisture entry or even heat escape in some instances. Monitor your skylights often for any indication of damage and fix them as soon as possible to avert such major problems.
If you find cracks, then it might be time to replace the skylight in its entirety. You often want to upgrade skylights when planning a roof replacement. You can click here for more on replacing skylights with a new roof so that everything is done right the first time. The advantage of doing both projects at once is that it saves you in labor costs, and everything will come together seamlessly.
Inspect for Leaks and Condensation
Leaks may be present in skylights, particularly after a heavy rain or snowstorm. In such a situation, checking frequently to observe if moisture starts to come out at any point may save you water damage in your house. Look up at the ceiling for any wet marks or condensation around the edges of the skylight. Moisture may indicate poor insulation or inadequate ventilation near your skylight.
If you notice that water is leaking through the skylight all the time, you should address it so that it does not end up costing you much in repairs. In worse cases, you may have to hire professionals to repair or replace the damaged flashing or seals.
Keep the Surrounding Area Clear of Debris
Falling leaves, branches, or even the accumulation of snow can break your skylight over time. Clear debris around the skylight regularly if it falls under overhanging trees. Trimming nearby branches will prevent debris from hitting or scratching the glass.
Debris also chokes the natural flow of water around the skylight, which will soon form ponds and eventually leak. Be sure to remove all excess snow buildup and mold in snowy locations around the skylight since it would prevent the seeping of water into your structure once melted.
Ensure Proper Insulation and Ventilation
Skylights can become a source of heat loss if not correctly insulated. Check whether your skylight seal is air-tight so that you do not feel drafts inside your room. If such is the case with this skylight, then you will experience a lot of amiss when it comes to efficiency, and heating as well as cooling may burn all the more energy.
Ventilation can be another important feature of a vented skylight. Moisture should have an escape route by leaving through these windows that minimize the possibility of having condensation. Ensure periodic openings of your operable skylights to serve with proper functioning and air distribution to areas like bathrooms or kitchens, which are frequently damp.
Regular Inspection
Regular inspection of your skylights to check overall condition of home maintenance is the next step. Check for worn-out conditions such as loose frames, damage to seals, or wearing out of the flashing material. Minor issues can be determined to soon turn into a major one. Your skylights become beautiful and useful in the house.
Maintenance Services at Your Disposal
There are professional services available when you need them, which also provide the much-needed experience to enhance the quality of your roofing. If you are not aware of how to maintain your skylights or if it’s a case of cleaning and repair, then think of hiring professional maintenance services. Experts can do proper inspections, cleaning, and repairs so that the skylights will be perfect for use. This would also ensure the prolongation of its life and efficiency thus saving money in the long term.
Be Aware of UV Protection and Glare Elimination
While skylights are lovely for natural light, they can also generate harsh glare or contribute to the temperature within your home when it is sunny. Make sure to put UV-blocking films or shades to filter out the level of light that will pass through it. This will also preserve your furniture and flooring as direct sunlight might cause some of them to fade quickly.
Most of the new skylights have UV protection, but older ones may not. If your house is too hot or too bright, you may want to spend a little more money and buy a newer model with more UV resistance. Skylight covers or shades also can regulate light and heat in your living space to make it more comfortable.
Conclusion
Maintenance of your skylights doesn’t have to be such a chore. Proper inspection, maintenance, and repair will continue to provide your homes with beautiful light and ventilation from your skylights for many years to come. In addition to maintaining their cleanliness and functionality, being proactive about potential leakage and insulation problems is one more way of extending their lives.
However, to enjoy the ease of an energy efficient home, you can spend money doing a little in skylight maintenance; otherwise, you would most likely have expensive issues to repair.