If you have skylights in your home, you want them to be functioning at their prime. An old or faulty skylight is problematic and could actually be costing you money. It can be difficult to decide when it’s time to call a skylights Melbourne installer, so to help you out we’ve put together a list of signs that it’s time to have your skylight replaced.
Water leaks around your skylight
This is probably one of the more obvious signs that your skylight needs replacing. Due to its placement, a skylight is exposed to a number of elements, including heat, cold and rain. This makes the skylight structure expand and contract which can cause the skylight to become susceptible to leaks. A leaky skylight should be quickly replaced, as it can cause costly water damage to your home.
Signs your skylight is leaking:
- Water dripping from or pooling under the skylight
- Discolouration or stains on the drywall
- Bulging or cracking paint on interior wall or roof, or
- Other signs of water damage, such as mould, damp or a musty smell.
Condensation
The climate you live in can affect whether you experience condensation on your skylights. If your home experiences significant differences in outdoor and indoor temperature, then you are likely to encounter some condensation on your skylight glass. If the condensation does not subside quickly on its own and you notice condensation pooling, producing drips or leaks, then you may have a problem on your hands. If this happens repeatedly you may need to get a skylights Melbourne specialist to inspect your skylight and potentially replace it.
Heat or cold transfer
An older skylight can lose its effectiveness over time and begin letting in the heat or cold. This can reduce energy efficiency in your home and increase the cost of bills as your appliances, like your air-conditioning or heater, are working harder to reach the specified temperature.
You can get a professional to inspect for heat transfer or – if safe to do so – you can check for airflow leaks by placing your hand a short distance away from the skylight glass. You will be able to sense heat transfer if the temperature feels warm or cold compared to the rest of the room.
Cracks
Cracks are another clear sign that your skylight needs replacing, as they can cause a number of problems. Exposure to the elements or branches falling on to the skylight can cause chips and cracks, which can expand over time resulting in an ill-functioning skylight. Not all cracks are clearly visible and some may require closer inspection to be identified. To check your skylights don’t have cracks, you should get them regularly inspected by a professional.
Building a new roof
This is one of those instances where “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” doesn’t apply. It will save you money in the long run if you install new skylights whilst you are building a new roof, rather than building a new roof around old skylights and then having to replace both the skylights and the surrounding roof structure. Installing skylights while you build a new roof will not only be convenient, but will also save you the cost of rebuilding the roof a second time.
If you’re not sure whether your skylight needs to be replaced, give the team at Belle Skylights a call on 1300 168 374. We can help you with all of daylighting and skylights needs!
