It’s fairly common for homeowners to decide that they want to remove a skylight from their roof. Uninstalling a skylight may seem like the best decision for homeowners when they’re struggling with a leaking or damaged skylight. But is it really the best decision to uninstall a skylight rather than replace it?
Usually, when homeowners are deciding to remove a skylight, it’s because there’s an annoying problem: a troublesome leak. And no one likes dealing with a leaking roof!
There are a couple of reasons why your skylight may be leaking. If your skylight was put in recently, it’s probably leaking because it was improperly installed. In that case, there’s no need to replace it or totally get rid of it. We can just fix the problem by reinstalling it the right way. If your skylight is pretty old, though, then it’s probably leaking because the seal is cracked and damaged.
Skylights are like roofs – they can last a pretty long time, but not forever. So it’s very normal for the seal of your skylight to deteriorate over time and eventually cause a leak. This can be easily fixed by replacing it with a brand new skylight! The perfect time to replace a skylight is actually during a roof replacement so that your warranties can be in sync, making it easier for you to keep track of.
The two options you have when dealing with a leaking skylight is to replace it or completely remove it. Budget-wise, it costs about the same to completely uninstall a skylight as it is to remove it. So to decide which choice is the right one for you, consider why you have a skylight in the first place.
Here in the Pacific Northwest, the biggest benefit to having a skylight is the extra light it lets in during cloudy and rainy seasons. Sometimes they are also used to allow more airflow into a room, which can help reduce moisture in certain rooms. Because a new skylight has a similar lifespan to a new roof, it might be worth replacing if you’re experiencing any type of benefit from it!
It’s possible that some homeowners move into a home that already has a skylight and decide they don’t want one at all. Other homeowners just decide they don’t want to deal with a leaking skylight ever again. If you feel like having a skylight is more trouble than it’s worth, then completely removing it from your roof may be the way to go.
Whether you’re installing or uninstalling a skylight, IBEX Roof is here to help you get it done. If you do decide to completely remove a skylight from your home, we are here to guide you through the process.
There are two major components to consider when uninstalling a skylight: your roof and your ceiling. IBEX Roof can take care of all the exterior work that involves the roof. This includes replacing the plywood where your skylight once was and replacing the roof; it will be like your skylight was never there! When it comes to the ceiling part, or interior, of where your skylight was, you will need to call a drywall contractor to close up the “tunnel” between the ceiling and the roof. If you’re unsure of who to call, our friendly office staff can help connect you to the right people!
To learn more about any of our skylight services, give IBEX Roof a call at (360) 218-3194. We are happy to answer any and all of your skylight questions!
