Replies

1. 
   Ethos | Nov 11, 2003 05:44am | #1

   When skylights are installed properly on flat roofs, they are mounted on a curb.

   "Right," you say.  "Mine's on a curb."

   But proper curbs have a pitched top edge so that when mounted, the skylight will be pitched, avoiding the leaks that are guaranteed when water ponds.  A good solution might be to remove the skylight, cut tapers out of 2x6 or whatever, screw them to the top of your curb, re-flash the curb and reinstall the window.

   Lance

2. 
   goldhiller | Nov 11, 2003 06:20am | #2

   What Ethos has said is important, but I'm unable to determine from what you've said whether this "flat repose" is the situation and you have a pond or whether you mean that it's leaking from a smallish remaining amount of water at the very bottom of the glass only.

   Presuming that the light is pitched appropriately and the water is entering from where you indicated under what we would call "normal circumstances"............ I had to fix one leaking in that location about 2 years ago. Maybe three. The original sealant had turned very brittle and was badly cracked allowing water to seep thru. I was able to remove some/enough of the old sealant with a screwdriver and awl, then cleaned the area well with lacquer thinner (several times). When dry, I carefully force-applied a bead of PL brand polyurethane caulk in hopes of success. I brought that bead several inches up each side also. Hasn't leaked since and I'd know if it had cause it's at the in-laws. <G>

   Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
3. 
   noitall | Nov 11, 2003 07:41am | #3

   Some sky buckets actually have a positive weeping system so they leak back to the outside. Could it be damed up. Sounds like by the volume of water that it is a sealant failure. Only solution not presented so far is to replace with one with a new factory guarantee. No such thing as lifetime caulk ..... just better caulk I say.

   Scott T.

1. 
   Jtoad | Nov 11, 2003 05:37pm | #4

   Thanks!  That really helps. 

   My skylight is flat, and the ponding of water is the entire glass area.  So I guess I really should remove and taper the curb to eliminate future problems.  To caulk should I use a silicone sealer or some other type?

1. 
   mitch | Nov 12, 2003 12:07am | #5

   don't get too optimistic-  i have a flat glass skylight in a 5/12 pitch roof that leaked.  right around the glass, just like yours.  2 trips up and an entire tube of silicone sealant over the course of a few months and it finally stopped.  so far so good for about 6 mos now.  knock on wood.  good luck.

   m

2. 
   noitall | Nov 12, 2003 04:36am | #6

   I tend not to  reach for silicone when presented with this problem. I have used Thermoplastics and Poly Urithane , both with success or luck as it sometimes goes with leaks. Super clean and dry tends to be the most important I've found also. I wouldn't refuse silicone if a customer demanded. I just fiind the other two easier to work with. I do suggest to all my customes to have a yearly check. It applies to everything but it is easier to prevent a Skylight leak than fix one if you notice a potential problem.   eg flashing bent up... edges of caulk loose on glass..... glasing tape for glass oozing.... whatever.