Skylights are a gorgeous home feature, with a wide variety of benefits to be enjoyed. If you have a skylight in your home, then it’s only fair that you want it to be functioning to its fullest capacity. After all, a damaged or worn down skylight can cause issues in the long run, demanding financial repairs and even risking damage to your property. So, what are the signs that you may need to replace your skylight? Here are just a few of the common reasons many people will choose to get a new skylight installed.
This blog explains some of the reasons people may need to replace their old skylight. For personalised replacement advice, contact our team at Skylights WA today.
Noticeable Leaks
Unsurprisingly, if you start to notice leaks coming from your skylight, there’s a problem. The placement of a skylight means it is exposed to a number of factors and elements that can wear it down, such as extreme heat, cold, wind, and rain. As these conditions cause the skylight to expand and contract, it will become susceptible to leaks over time. If your skylight is leaking, a replacement should be swift, as expensive water damage can quickly be done to your home. If you notice water dripping beneath the skylight, discolouration and stains along your walls, or even mould building up, then it’s important to get your skylight examined as soon as possible.
Condensation
Your location and its surrounding climate will play a role in whether you experience condensation build up on your skylight. For many people, it’s a relatively normal occurrence. If your property is prone to experiencing significant differences between outdoor and indoor temperatures, then your skylight glass is highly like to have condensation appear at some point or another. However, if condensation isn’t quick to subside on its own, it may pose a larger problem. Noticing condensation pooling, leaking, or dripping, is a good sign that you may need to get your skylight inspected, and a replacement could potentially be the solution.
Cracks and Obvious Damage
This one needs little to no explanation. Cracks in a skylight aren’t good. When you can visibly see damage to your skylight, you’ve got a clear sign that a replacement is likely in order. On top of being unsightly, however, there are a number of issues that can come from even relatively small cracks. While small incidents can cause chips or cracks, such as wild weather or falling branches, it’s even easier for these cracks to expand in time. The longer you leave them, the more likely they are to grow, and soon enough you’ll be left with a skylight that can’t function properly.
Some cracks, however, are too small for the eye to see initially. Regular inspection by a skylight professional is the best way to ensure your skylights aren’t cracked. However, if it is, there’s a good chance a replacement is the best move forward.
The Heat and Cold Are Getting in
One of the biggest benefits of a skylight, aside from its stellar views, is its ability to help insulate a home. By keeping out the heat and the cold, a skylight is able to limit your reliance on air-conditioning and heater units, saving significant money on your power bills over time. It’s just one of the many things to enjoy about your skylight! As they get older, however, they can start to lose their effectiveness in this regard.
If you’ve had your skylight for a while, you might start to notice that its protection from outside weather is weakening as years go by. It begins to let heat and cold get it, and suddenly you’re back to using the AC during hot summer days. Unsurprisingly, this can increase your cost of bills with time, as your indoor appliances are working harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. In this scenario, you can get a professional to inspect for heat transfer, or else you yourself can carefully check for airflow leaks by holding up your hand a short distance from the skylight. If the area directly in front feels warmer or colder than the rest of the room, chances are it might be time for a skylight replacement.
Also read: Will a Skylight Make My House Warmer?
Roof Renovations
In some cases, you might find yourself needing to replace a skylight that is functioning perfectly fine. If you’re building a new roof, then working around an existing skylight can be an unnecessary, drawn-out process. It’s rather expensive, too – building a new roof around old skylights, then subsequently having to replace both the skylights and the broader roof structure. As attached as you may be to your skylight, the smartest and most cost-efficient option in the long run is to install a new skylight altogether while the roof is being built.
This is convenient for builders and saves time on the project. On top of that, it saves you the cost of needing to rebuild the roof a second time further down the line. In this scenario, you don’t abide by an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” attitude. Think long-term and invest in your property by replacing a skylight at the same time as replacing your roof.
Contact Skylights WA for Replacement Advice
Long story short, you deserve a skylight that is functioning at its best. If you have any concerns or reasons to believe you may need a skylight replacement, the Skylights WA team is ready to help. Contact us to chat with a friendly team member, and we can discuss the specifics of your situation and get you on track for a successful replacement as needed. Reach out today – we look forward to lending a hand however we can!