Skylight/Roofing issue in shed - Help

[pdxplanter]

I have been working on a shed build and brought in a 'handy man', he helped until he was fired and now I am left finishing the job. I am in the final stages with the roof but have a huge problem (at least it seems huge to me). When the handyman installed the skylights he did so too low. My roof and skylights are on an even plane, once I put the shingles on they will be about 1/4inch higher than the skylight. The only solution I can thing of would be to use tape flashing to make an easy transition between glass and shingles. I live in Oregon where it rains a lot, any advice or opinions would be appreciated. Also its too far into the project this year to correct the height of the skylights.

Thanks!

 

[kd3pc]

Don't live in Portland, but the skylight needs to be correctly installed...I don't see much for correctly sealing the glass in the first photo..it really doesn't look like a sky-light....just a pane of glass/acrylic?

Usually those lights are mounted above and with a curb or frame that seals the glass in, then you seal the frame/curb in to the roofing.

With the glass like that, leaking (or worse) is imminent no matter what you flash with...water will enjoy the lows spots and then in to the framing and interior finish in short order.

Fix it correctly now.

 

[ssdave]

I agree with kd3pc. No way you can make that installation work. You need to uninstall, build a 2" curb, and re-install. Then, you can use ice and water shield, angled head flashing and step flashings on the side to correctly seal water out.

 

[ford33]

That does not look like a skylight.

 

[pdxplanter]

They are panes of glass.

 

[matt_i]

They are panes of glass.

I don't think you are going to get that to seal up. As suggested a 2" elevation of the glass above the plane of the roof should be better. But, I would go and buy an actual skylight for that purpose and adapt the framing to make it fit. Will be better long-term with less headache imo.

If you are in desperation, you can always sheath over the cuts (plus framing) and roof over it all for now. Then cut open the roof later. But it will be a job you'd wished you'd have done more efficiently the first time.

 

[nonhog]

Yep take whatever time/money it takes to do it right even if you have to cover with a tarp until you get a chance to fix it or have someone fix it.

 

[pdxplanter]

I figured these would be the answers. I am so mad at that guy I hired. He came with great references.

 

[ssdave]

You're somehow going to have to make a skylight out of the glass. You can't just put glass on top of the roof and make it work.

You need to remove the glass, and make a skylight frame to hold it. Then, you need to curb up the roof in the skylight location, and properly flash it. Then, install the skylight.

It might be better and easier to buy a correct skylight as matt_i suggested, rather than try to make your own. Homemade are notorious for leaking.

 

[yeldogt]

What kind of glass -- how high above the inside floor .. pitch of roof?

I have made skylights out of old thermal widows (tempered) .... you need to create flashing and use a sealant.

FYI -- a proper roof should not require any sealant. The reason being -- it all fails in short order. When you see instructions to use sealant -- be it on a window or roof assembly -- understand this. Whatever you do it will eventually drip. An occasional drip in a shed may be fine -- in my case it was a potting shed with a brick floor in sand ... when it dripped I redid the caulk.

What did you do bed the side of the glass in some sort of caulk ? It's the glass type that has me concerned -- I have some ideas if the glass you used is safe to have high above

 

[pdxplanter]

Handy man made the skylight out of tempered class. He put it in a frame, calked it into the frame. After the rest of the plywood was up on the roof I re calked, it rained and there were no drips, I put 6 inch tape flashing down 3 inches over the window and 3 inches onto the plywood. I am not sure if what type of glass besides its double pane tempered glass. Attached are a few other pictures that might help.

 

[readhead]

Buying and installing real skylights now will save a lot of damage and grief later.