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Leaking Skylight Roof Repairs and Proper Cleaning

Common Problems:
Poor fitting this is one of the most common problems with roof and curtain wall related leaks. When I suggest poor fitted this can stem from the original manufactures and fabrication quality control procedures or a lack of adequate training. Contractors also play a major part in the chain of events with poor fitting procedures.

Leaking skylight roof with water ingress staining walls and flooring on examination it was discovered that firstly the drainage channels were blocked thus forcing water ingress by air (wind) into the building. The problem was originally tackled by means of silicone sealant applied, although this may have appeared to have stemmed the leak it was only temporary as it would not stand up to weathering together with the incorrect silicone sealant being used.

Problem: - This particular job had drainage channels both missing and fitted incorrectly, and in some cases the drainage channels were screwed together when they should be clip fitted with gasket (gasket missing). There was also a number of fixing screws missing and the holes filled with sealant, another problem was that a number of cover plates were missing (presume not fitted originally) thus no protection from the weather what so ever.

It would appear that either materials were not originally supplied or fitted and as a number of fitting procedures such as clipping gasket to drainage channels require an element of time and experience.

It is also fair to say that fitters work on a peace or job rate this in itself creates an element of error.

So how did we solve this problem:- Quite simply totally stripping the skylight down, cleaning out the channels, supplying and fitting any missing channels, gaskets and cover plates, removing all sealant, drying out and cleaning up fitting area, refit the skylight correctly as it should have been originally.

Below is a very good example of the kind of problems that we encounter when called to investigate and repair leaking skylights roofs. Faults are very often down to improper installation and/or a fault in the manufacturing process.

Background Information
Conditions prior to investigations. 2 x damp patches, evidenced by stained plasterboard Internal moisture readings prior to testing indicated areas as dry, with readings of approximately 40-45. (0-dry 100 saturated) Weather conditions: Dry
Simulated Rainfall Test 1
Test type Clear water. Item Joints between ridge horizontal and vertical glazing bars at four locations. Findings Water manifested directly below the ridge then migrated down internal frame. Similar results at all locations. Identified by Photographs above, items circled blue. Water entry points and direction of migration arrowed, also blue. Note: Gaps were in evidence at the glazing bar joints tested. Drainage channels from glazing bar covers had been blocked with mastc (e.g. circled red above)
Simulated Rainfall Test 2
Test type Clear water. Item Junction between static and sliding rooflight sections. Findings Water manifested directly below. Identified by Photographs above. Note: Missing cover flashing.
Simulated Rainfall Test 3
Test type Clear water. Item Junction between static and sliding rooflight sections. Findings Water manifested directly below. Identified by Photographs above. Note: Missing cover flashing.
Simulated Rainfall Test 4
Test type Clear water. Item Cover flashing to base of glazing. Findings Water drained into the drainage channel below. No leak was in evidence below. Identified by Photographs above. Note: Drainage channel filled with water due to poor drainage (see comment next page).
Flood Test
Test type Clear water. Item Drainage channel. Findings No water manifested at leak site whilst on site, although moisture readings to plasterboard increased from 40 to 70 by time of departure. Identified by Photographs above. Comment: Drainage was poor.

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