Don’t Let Winter Weather Destroy Your Skylight: How Proper Flashing Protects Long Island Homes from Costly Leaks
Long Island homeowners know that winter weather can be particularly harsh on roofing systems. With frequent freeze-thaw cycles, heavy snow loads, and nor’easters bringing wind-driven rain, skylights face unique challenges that can lead to costly water damage if not properly protected. Long Island roofs endure significant stress during freeze-thaw cycles. Fluctuating temperatures cause water to seep into small cracks and expand as it refreezes, leading to structural damage. This continuous cycle of freezing and thawing exacerbates existing vulnerabilities in roofing materials.
Understanding Long Island’s Freeze-Thaw Challenge
Long Island’s coastal climate creates particularly challenging conditions for skylights. Our frequent freeze-thaw cycles in winter break adhesive seals and crack flashing connections. Nor’easters bring intense wind-driven rain that finds every weakness in your roof system. During warmer springtime months, water from melting snow and ice can trickle into small crevices or holes in your roof. Then, during cold snaps, the falling temperatures can cause that moisture to expand as it freezes.
The damage from these cycles compounds over time. The longer the cycle of freezing and thawing, the worse the damage to your roof and home can get. This makes proper flashing installation and maintenance absolutely critical for skylight longevity on Long Island.
The Foundation of Leak Prevention: Quality Flashing Systems
The foundation of effective skylight waterproofing begins with quality flashing installation. Step flashing should overlap correctly, with each piece directing water down and away from the skylight. Professional roofers understand that a meticulously engineered, multi-layered defense system known as flashing is the key to preventing leaks, not just sealants or caulking.
A proper flashing system consists of several critical components working together:
- Step Flashing: A high-quality flashing kit designed for shingle roofs will include the apron, pre-bent step flashing pieces, and a saddle. The key is the meticulous weaving of the step flashing with each course of shingles.
- Apron Flashing: This component catches water flowing down from above the skylight and diverts it around the sides
- Saddle Flashing: Installed at the upper edge to prevent water pooling
- Cladding: The final protective covering that directs moisture away from the skylight frame
Material Selection for Freeze-Thaw Resistance
Not all flashing materials perform equally in Long Island’s challenging climate. For optimal protection, copper or aluminum flashing with rubberized underlayment specifically designed to withstand Michigan’s temperature extremes is often recommended. This combination creates a watertight barrier that remains flexible through seasonal changes. The same principle applies to Long Island’s similar freeze-thaw conditions.
When selecting sealants for skylight maintenance, choose products specifically rated for freeze-thaw performance. It flexes to Class 50 standards, holds up through freeze-thaw cycles, and is rain-ready in 30 minutes. High-quality sealants maintain their flexibility and adhesion even during temperature extremes.
Professional Installation: Why It Matters
You can have the best-engineered skylight and the highest-quality flashing system in the world, but if it’s installed incorrectly, it will fail. This is why professional installation is not just a recommendation; it’s a requirement for a warrantied, leak-proof skylight.
Common installation mistakes that lead to leaks include:
- Relying on sealants instead of proper mechanical flashing
- Incorrect layering of flashing components
- Failing to integrate ice-and-water shield as a secondary barrier
- Improper fastening that creates holes in the waterproof barrier
Maintenance for Long-Term Protection
Even the best flashing systems require regular maintenance to withstand Long Island’s weather patterns. Winter’s freeze-thaw cycles break shingle adhesive seals. Wind-driven rain can then penetrate beneath compromised shingles, leading to water damage in your attic and ceilings.
Homeowners should inspect their skylights seasonally, looking for:
- Cracked or deteriorating sealants around the skylight frame
- Loose or damaged flashing, especially after storms
- Ice dam formation that could force water under flashing
- Debris accumulation that prevents proper drainage
Spring brings different challenges as freeze-thaw cycles can create small openings in sealants. Inspect for any winter damage once temperatures rise consistently above freezing.
Trust Expressway Roofing & Chimney for Professional Skylight Services
When it comes to protecting your Long Island home from skylight leaks, experience matters. Expressway Roofing & Chimney is Long Island’s premier, full-service, licensed roofer and insured home contracting roofing company serving Suffolk County, NY and Nassau County, NY. We’ve been a Long Island-based, family-owned and operated roofing, chimney, siding, gutter and home contracting company for over 22 years now because we only adhere to the highest standards for quality – without ever compromising on the materials or the services we provide.
For homeowners seeking professional Skylights Long Island services, Expressway Roofing & Chimney offers comprehensive skylight installation, repair, and maintenance. Expressway Roofing’s skylight installation and repair services create bright, dramatic, and healthy lighting for your home or business. We guarantee leak-free results!
Our free, fair and honest quotes are completely transparent. In fact, our business model was designed around that concept of fairness, openness and honesty – just for our fellow homeowners across Nassau and Suffolk counties. This commitment to transparency and quality has made them a trusted choice for Long Island homeowners dealing with the unique challenges of the region’s weather patterns.
Don’t Wait for Leaks to Develop
Proper flashing installation and maintenance is your skylight’s best defense against Long Island’s freeze-thaw cycles. The effects of the freeze-thaw cycle can leave you with expensive roof repairs. Keeping an eye on your roof can help you spot problems early and potentially minimize damage (and related repair bills).
Whether you’re installing a new skylight or maintaining an existing one, investing in professional-grade flashing systems and expert installation will protect your home for years to come. Expressway is proud to offer and provide 24/7/365 emergency roof repair services – should the unexpected need arise. Don’t let Long Island’s challenging weather conditions compromise your home’s integrity – ensure your skylights are properly protected with quality flashing techniques designed to withstand the region’s unique freeze-thaw cycles.