Recessed Skylights

Michael Koser · 06-11-2009, 07:33 PM

Anybody ever saw recessed skylights before. These skylights were mounted about ¾” below the decking surface of a roof system above an enclosed porch. They were sealed with a tar based sealant to the shingles. How long before this will begin to leak. The house was a foreclosure home only two years old and the porch was an addition of unknown age but I was told professionally installed. It did look good except for the skylight install.

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**John Kogel** · 06-11-2009, 08:27 PM

I would call for a repair without any time frame. We know they will leak, so the new owner may as well get them fixed now.

**Jerry Peck** · 06-11-2009, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by Michael Koser

How long before this will begin to leak.

The next rain.

No one knows how long, but as John said, it will leak, so it is not up to us to try put our butts on the line and "guess when" it will leak.

It was installed totally wrong, that is all your report should say.

If your client is asking "how long", give them my first answer "The next rain."

**Rick Hurst** · 06-11-2009, 09:38 PM

I'd just write that up as a hole in the roof covering.

**John Dirks Jr** · 06-11-2009, 10:23 PM

You probably get some snow down there in NC. Imagine a 6 inch blanket of it on the roof. Imagine the heat loss through the glass melting on the piled snow. Talk about leaks......yeah, it will.

**Joe Klampfer** · 06-11-2009, 11:39 PM

Is there any slope on that roof ? Hard to tell from the photo but it also looks like the wrong roof covering materials used.

**bruce m graham III** · 06-12-2009, 03:15 AM

Nice roof mounted glass bottom bird bath

Joe Cavasin · 06-12-2009, 04:00 AM

I was thinking the same thing about roof slope/materials, and the fact that these could be a selling point to some realtors... "adorable home with innovative roof top water feature..."

Mike Hunger · 06-12-2009, 04:38 AM

I agree with Jerry... write it up as "Installed incorrectly", then recommend further review by a professional roofer. BTW, was the interior ceiling freshly painted?
Maybe they were thinking of a roof -mounted cistern? We have had a couple dry summers...

Michael Koser · 06-12-2009, 05:41 AM

It was a 4/12 roof so I have no issue with the roof install. But I do like the roof mounted bird bath comment. Gives new meaning to the old comment "Is a ducks #$@ watertight". I guess these owners will find out if they don’t get it fixed. I did report it as an incorrect install and that it will leak if not corrected by a qualified roofer. The interior space was a vinyl ceiling without any staining. I also am worried and reported to likely wood structural damage under the shingles due to water wicking under the shingles.

**Jerry Peck** · 06-12-2009, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by Mike Hunger

I agree with Jerry... write it up as "Installed incorrectly",

then recommend further review by a professional roofer.

NO ... NO ... NO ... NO ... NO ... you just now screwed up all the good you did!

Write it up as installed incorrectly, yes, then ...

... then don't let them pull your pants down, recommend IT BE CORRECTED.

To recommend "further evaluation" only exposes your wimpetteness, don't put that skirt on - keep your big boy pants on and don't wimp out.

YOU just EVALUATED it. NOW it needs FIXIN'.

Jeez, how many times do we have to say that here?

Jim Zborowski · 06-12-2009, 12:35 PM

Did you say vinyl cieling????????? like in secondary water shield 'cause the skylights gonna leak?

Mike Hunger · 06-13-2009, 05:27 AM

OK, Jerry... didn't mean to get your blood pressure up by that comment

Usually, I write up items such as this one with "review/repair" terminology... which is what I meant to state earlier. My concern was with the pitch of the roof - whether it was steep enough, or not - the skylights are a no-brainer - repair. I am not going to do any "destructive investigation" of the areas around the skylight, although I suspect there is already some damage; hence the "review" by a professional.

**Jerry Peck** · 06-13-2009, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by Mike Hunger

OK, Jerry... didn't mean to get your blood pressure up by that comment

Mike,

You didn't get my blood pressure up with that comment, you only set off all the bells and whistles which say "sue me, please sue me" ...

Usually, I write up items such as this one with "review/repair" terminology...

hence the "review" by a professional.

NO ... NO ... NO ... NOT AGAIN!

Skip the "review" and go straight to Jail, do not pass Go, do not collect $200, do not use "Get Out of Jail Free" card, then write up "repair", when through correcting all references from "review" to "repair", you may use your "Get Out of Jail Free" card.