Roofing Tips & Guides
Expert Roofing Advice for Charlotte Homeowners
Learn from Charlotte's trusted roofing experts. Tips on maintenance, repair, replacement, and protecting your home from the elements.
Learn from Charlotte's trusted roofing experts. Tips on maintenance, repair, replacement, and protecting your home from the elements.
You installed a skylight to bring the sky inside. That gorgeous natural light floods your living room. The stars peek through at night. It's pretty magical, right?
But here's the thing. That beautiful window to the heavens needs a little love. Without proper care, your view gets foggy. Those seals start to fail. And suddenly, that dream feature becomes a nightmare.
The good news? Skylight maintenance isn't complicated. A few simple habits keep everything crystal clear for decades. Let's walk through exactly what you need to know.
Skylights sit in one of the toughest spots on your home. They face direct sunlight all day. Rain pounds them during Charlotte's summer storms. And don't get me started on those Lake Norman hailstorms we've been seeing lately.
All that exposure takes a toll. The seals around your skylight work overtime. They expand and contract with temperature swings. Over time, this constant movement can create tiny gaps.
Those gaps let water in. And water inside your home? That's never good news.
Here's what we've learned after years as roof contractors in the Charlotte area: most skylight problems start small. A tiny crack in the seal. A bit of debris blocking drainage. These little issues grow into big headaches when ignored.
The National Roofing Contractors Association puts it simply: "Routine maintenance extends the life of all roofing components, including skylights, by identifying issues before they become costly repairs."
Regular maintenance catches problems early. It keeps your view pristine. And it protects your investment for the long haul.
Before you start maintaining anything, you need to know what you're looking at. Every skylight has a few key parts that need attention.
This is the obvious part. It's what you look through. Most modern skylights use double or triple-pane glass. This provides insulation and prevents condensation.
The glass itself is pretty tough. But it collects dirt, pollen, and debris. Here in Lake Norman, we see a lot of tree sap and bird droppings on skylights. Both can damage the coating over time.
Your skylight frame holds everything together. It might be aluminum, vinyl, or wood with cladding. Each material has different care needs.
Wood frames need protection from moisture. Aluminum is low maintenance but can oxidize. Vinyl rarely needs attention but can crack in extreme cold.
These rubber or silicone barriers keep water out. They sit between the glass and frame. They also connect the frame to your roof.
Seals are the most common failure point. Charlotte's humidity accelerates seal breakdown. The constant wet-dry cycle stresses these materials.
Flashing is the metal barrier between your skylight and roof. It channels water away from vulnerable areas. Properly installed flashing is your first defense against leaks.
Many LKN roofers we work with agree: flashing problems cause more skylight leaks than seal failures. But most homeowners never think to check it.
Let's start with the most visible maintenance task. Clean glass means a clear view. But cleaning skylights wrong can cause damage.
The inside of your skylight is easy to reach. You probably clean it like any other window. But a few tips make the job better.
Use the right cleaner. Avoid ammonia-based products on coated glass. Many skylights have Low-E coatings that ammonia can damage. A simple mix of dish soap and water works great.
Skip the abrasives. Paper towels and newspaper can scratch some glazings. A soft microfiber cloth is your best friend here.
Don't forget the frame. Wipe down the interior frame while you're at it. Dust and grime collect in corners. This buildup can trap moisture and encourage mold.
This is where things get tricky. Your skylight sits on the roof. And roofs are dangerous places.
⚠️ Safety first, always. We can't stress this enough. Falls from roofs cause serious injuries. If you're not comfortable up there, call a professional.
For those who can safely access their skylights:
Rinse first. Use a garden hose to wash away loose debris. This prevents scratching during scrubbing.
Use a soft brush. An extension pole with a soft brush attachment works well. Gentle pressure removes most buildup.
Rinse thoroughly. Soap residue attracts more dirt. Make sure you wash away all the cleaner.
Time it right. Clean skylights on cloudy days or in the morning. Direct sun dries cleaner too fast and leaves streaks.
Seals are where most skylight problems start. A quick inspection twice a year catches issues early.
Run your eyes along every seal. Look for these warning signs:
Small cracks don't always mean total failure. Sometimes you can reseal specific areas.
Here's our honest take: resealing is a temporary fix. It buys you time. But once seals start failing in one spot, other areas usually follow.
For a proper reseal, you'll need:
Clean the area thoroughly. Remove all old, damaged sealant. Let everything dry completely. Then apply new sealant in a smooth, continuous bead.
Some seal problems need professional attention. Call experienced roof contractors when you see:
Flashing problems cause more skylight leaks than any other issue. Yet most homeowners never check it.
Flashing creates a waterproof barrier between your skylight and roof. It typically includes:
All these pieces work together. They channel water around your skylight and down the roof.
During your inspections, look for:
Keep debris off your flashing. Leaves and twigs trap moisture. This accelerates corrosion.
Check after major storms. Charlotte sees some serious weather. Those spring thunderstorms can shift flashing out of place.
Don't walk on flashing. The metal bends easily. Bent flashing doesn't channel water properly.
If you notice any damage, call professional LKN roofers right away. Flashing repairs require roofing expertise. DIY flashing fixes often make problems worse.
Our local climate creates specific challenges. Here's what to focus on each season.
Spring brings pollen. Lots of pollen. Lake Norman homes near pine trees get hit especially hard.
Charlotte summers are brutal on roofing materials. High heat and UV exposure stress everything.
Falling leaves create problems. They block drainage and trap moisture.
Our winters are mild. But ice storms happen. And they cause damage.
Some maintenance tasks belong to the pros. Here's when to pick up the phone.
We offer free roof inspections that include skylight assessment. It's worth having professional eyes on your skylights at least once a year.
We've seen homeowners make these errors countless times. Learn from their mistakes.
Pressure washers seem efficient. They're also a terrible idea for skylights. The high pressure:
Stick with garden hose pressure. It's all you need.
That tiny crack in the seal? It will grow. That little gap in the flashing? It's letting water in.
Small problems become expensive repairs. Catch them early.
Never, ever stand on a skylight. They're not designed for weight. Even walking near a skylight requires caution. One wrong step can mean a serious fall.
Not all sealants work for skylights. Some become brittle fast. Others don't bond to certain materials.
Use only sealant designed for skylights and roofing applications. When in doubt, ask your local roofing professionals for recommendations.
We've seen homeowners paint over water stains without fixing the source. The stains return. The damage spreads. And the repair bill grows.
Always find and fix the cause. Then deal with cosmetic damage.
Consistency matters more than intensity. A simple schedule keeps your skylights healthy.
Monthly (5 minutes)
Quarterly (15 minutes)
Twice Yearly (30 minutes each)
Annually (Professional inspection)
Your skylight brings joy. That natural light improves your mood. It adds value to your home. It's worth protecting.
The maintenance isn't hard. Clean the glass. Check the seals. Inspect the flashing. Call a pro when you're unsure.
Do these simple things consistently. Your skylight will reward you with decades of clear views and leak-free performance.
At Best Roofing Now, we help Lake Norman and Charlotte homeowners protect their roofing investments. Our team knows skylights inside and out. We've installed them, repaired them, and maintained them for years.
✅ Ready to make sure your skylights are in top shape? Schedule your free inspection today. We'll check your skylights, assess your seals and flashing, and give you honest recommendations. No pressure, just expertise from your neighbors who care about doing things right.
Best Roofing Now
Charlotte's trusted roofing experts since 2019
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