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6 Tell-Tale Signs It’s Time for Skylight Removal and Replacement

Natural light comes streaming into the building from beautiful skylights. Or maybe not. Is there condensation, staining, any discoloration? When you look up at your skylight, what do you see? 

There are some very strong indicators when it is time for skylight removal. Skylights are prone to damage, and everyday wear and tear. If you are looking for tell-tale signs that it is officially time to replace or remove your skylight, here is your ultimate guide. 

1. It’s Expired or Past Its Best by Date 

The sad truth is that no skylight lasts forever. The general rule of thumb is that a skylight lasts 10 years. After those 10 years are up, you are going to need to replace your skylight. 

Even if you do not know exactly how old the skylights are, it is always a good idea to prevent future damage. Having a roofing expert inspect the skylights is always a safer bet. That way you understand what maintenance is needed and if the skylight truly needs to be replaced or removed. 

2. Cloudy View

If you have a cloudy view when you look at your skylight, it might not be the weather. It could be a cloudy or foggy build up in the glass in your window. 

You will see condensation or fog when you look up at the skylight. This occurs when a lot of moisture gathers in the glass of the skylight. 

This means that your skylight’s sealants are not holding or working properly. The glazing seals have deteriorated to the point of letting water or moisture inside the glass or even the building. 

Now keep in mind, if your building has a lot of moisture or humidity that has nothing to do with your skylight. 

3. Leaking and Cracks 

If you ever see or feel water or condensation leaking from your skylight one day, it is officially time to remove or replace your skylight. 

There is a chance that the skylight itself is cracking or the skylight is causing a leak in the roof to worsen. If there are missing shingles or flashing, the water travels along with those wood decks until it reaches the skylight and uses those holes as a path into the interior window and the ceiling of the building. 

So, the glass can fail, the curb support in the window can crack, or the flashing can rust away. All of these things make the skylight structurally unsound. 

4. Roofing Issues 

If you are having problems with your roof, it is safe to assume that you are going to be having problems with your skylight shortly as well. 

When your roof is older or damaged, it can not properly keep out water and provides less protection for your home. Even if your skylight is new, the pressure from all the water or roof damage, the skylight cannot manage to hold excessive amounts of water. 

If you are renovating, it is easy to add the skylights to the list. You are getting work done anyway. Understand that the 10-year life span of the skylight may not be up, but that does not mean that you should not replace it. You can avoid accidental damage or leaks if you do not replace them while you have the opportunity. 

5. Normal Wear and Tear You Can See 

Something that you should never see in your skylight is staining, discoloration, or just any signs of wear and tear. If your skylight is looking dirty and just overall old, that is the ultimate sign that you need to remove or replace your skylight. 

Staining on or around your skylight indicates that water or moisture has leaked through the skylight and the water has settled into your ceiling and or drywall. 

You might be seeing a light-yellow color anywhere to a dark brown color. Worst case scenario is that stain can turn into black mold. The black model is very bad for you and can be harmful to your health. 

Discoloration appears on the actual glass of the skylight. The color will look murky or yellow. With the light blocked from the discoloration, you will not be receiving the benefits of the skylight, which is to allow natural light into the home. 

6. Outdated Technology 

These days technology is improving very quickly. If your skylights are getting older or are an older model, it is time to bring your skylight up to date. 

New skylights have a new coating on them and provide a better balance of letting into the beautiful daylight and controlling the heat that is allowed into your home. This in turn improves your energy efficiency. 

Did you know that with technology today there are also even solar-powered skylights? You can add solar-powered skylights or add solar-powered blinds to the skylights. Help the environment and the building’s energy efficiency. 

New skylights also can have automatic shading added to the glass that keeps the natural light glare from being too intense. 

If Skylight Removal Is Imminent…

Do these six telltale signs remind you of your skylight? Have you seen discoloration, staining, leaking? Or maybe now you are thinking it is time to update your skylight so that it has the latest technology? 

If you answered yes to any of these, it is time to call HP Roofing Pro about skylight removal. We are the premier roof construction company in California specializing in commercial roof repair, commercial roof maintenance, skylight installation and removal, and much more. 

Contact us today for a skylight removal or installation quote!