How To Clean And Repair A Skylight
Over time, a skylight can accumulate a layer of grease and grime that blocks out light but you can easily clean a skylight if you have the right equipment.
10/08/2021
Skylights are a great addition to any home, particularly one that has rooms that don't receive a lot of natural light during the daytime. You can have a skylight fitted in almost any room that has roof access above or you can have a solar tube light fitted for awkward areas of a home.
While skylights are an excellent way to bring natural light into a home, they also get grubby over time. Grease and grime builds up on the surface of the skylight and can eventually block out a lot of light. Plus, over time, skylights like any other fitting or fixture as susceptible to wear due to our harsh climate. Hot summers can erode the fittings around a skylight resulting in leaks.
With this is mind, we take a look at how you can clean a skylight and check for damage at the same time.
YOU WILL NEED:
Stepladder or ladder
Nylon rope
Hose pipe
Squeegee
Bucket of warm soapy water (Clean Green)
Soft broom
Bucket of clean water
Rubber-soled shoes
Rags or cloths
If the skylight needs repair:
Waterproofing paint and membrane
Large paintbrush
Utility knife
HERE'S HOW:
Clean Skylights
Preparation
In order to gain access to the roof, you will need a stepladder or long ladder. Safety first whenever you use a ladder, make sure it is firmly footed at the base and secured to rafters at the top. Use lengths of nylon rope to secure the ladder in place.
Always wear rubber-soled shoes when using any ladder. The rubber soles will provide more grip and prevent any slipping or sliding either on the ladder or on the surface of the roof.
Step 1
Use a hosepipe to wash down the skylight and remove any loose debris. You can use a high-pressure spray washer to do this, but use it on a low setting or with a wide spray. When a spray washer is set for high pressure spray it can seep under or around the skylight and cause damage to the surrounding seal.
Step 2
The main reason you are cleaning a skylight is to remove grease and grime that has built up on the skylight. That means you are going to need a heavy-duty degreaser that is non-abrasive but can easily break down the grease and grime. Clean Green is ideal for this type of job and will not mar the finish on the skylight, but there are other degreasing products on the market. Don't waste your time using anything less than heavy-duty since you don't want to have to repeat this process too often. Rather get the job done right the first time.
Step 3
Dip a soft broom into the bucket of soapy water and spread this over the skylight. Leave on for about 10-minutes to loosen up grease and grime and then rinse with the hosepipe. Also make sure to remove any debris around the skylight. If the skylight has accumulated grease and grime you may need to repeat this process until clean.
Step 4
Using a squeegee to wipe over the surface of the skylight will help with a streak-free finish. Start from the centre and work outwards towards the sides to wipe and dry the surface. If any streaks remain wipe these with rags or cloths.
Repair Skylight Leaks
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Step 1
After cleaning the skylight you are in the right position to check for any leaks or damage to the surrounding. Loose rubber seals or membrane that is peeling away will need to be repaired or replaced to prevent future leaks. If rubber seals or gaskets are eroded or brittle, you will need to contact the manufacturer or supplier to arrange to have these replaced.
Make sure to remove any debris around the skylight so that you can apply a waterproofing paint and membrane. Your local Builders or hardware store have plenty of products on offer for this job.
Step 2
Apply a liberal coating of waterproofing paint and then press the membrane well into the paint layer making sure it is completely embedded in the paint before applying a thick layer of waterproofing paint over the top of this - see below.
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Step 3
Repeat Step 2 for any areas where you suspect leaks may occur. You can cut the membrane to fit.
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As with all maintenance in and around the home, skylights should be checked annual for wear and tear before leaks occur.
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