Is It Best to Replace the Skylights When Replacing a Roof?
Roofs don’t need to be replaced until they have structural problems.
It’s time to replace the roof, and the roofing contractor suggests replacing the skylights simultaneously as a cost-saving option. Is that a necessary expense, or are the roofers trying to pull a fast one?
A reputable, experienced roofing contractor will recommend homeowners replace their skylights at the same time they replace their roofs. However, it may or may not be an essential step. There are several considerations before deciding because while replacing skylights simultaneously with the roof isn’t necessary, failure to do so may result in problems later.
Some skylights survive a roof replacement
There’s always a chance skylights will survive a roof replacement. If they are non-opening, less than ten years old, from a top manufacturer, and designed and installed as part of new home construction, they may not leak after the roofing is replaced.
Unfortunately, this is the ideal scenario and seldom exists.
Roofs don’t need to be replaced until they have structural problems. And with a new home, that generally doesn’t occur for at least 20 years. By then, the skylights are way past their 10th birthday, so the likelihood of them making it through a roof replacement unscathed is pretty low.
Why a homeowner may want to replace the skylights
Skylights often leak after roof replacement because the roofing tear-off can compromise their integrity. Even an experienced, highly-skilled professional roofer can’t avoid disrupting skylights when tearing off an old roof.
Skylights have several seal points that are easily disturbed and allow moisture inside. Adding new caulking and flashing can help, but these repairs are typically ineffective against future roof leaks once a skylight seal has been compromised.
Replacing skylights after roof replacement can create further problems
A homeowner may skip skylight replacement at the time of roof replacement. However, the skylights may leak a few years later and lead to other problems.
Replacing skylights after a roof has been replaced will disturb the roofing materials. Just as a roof tear-off can blow the seals of a skylight, a skylight replacement can create similar issues with a roofing system.
So while a roof replacement project may come in at a lower cost without replacing skylights, a homeowner may end up paying more than the cost of new skylights later when the integrity of their new roofing system is compromised.
Contact a reliable roofing contractor to answer questions about skylight and roof replacement. They can help homeowners make an informed decision to prevent the need for further repairs.
Roof X Inc. offers commercial and residential roofing for customers in Brandon, Pensacola, Tampa, and surrounding areas. We install and repair metal, tile, shingle, TPO, and more. Gutters, ventilation, and insulation are also available. Family-owned-and-operated
