Experience at HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, has shown that Water Management Systems are a frequent source of problems in Home and Commercial Building Inspections.  Failures of these of systems can lead to more serious problems such as mold and structural failure.

The components of the Water Management System include the roof, gutter/downspout/extension subsystem, windows, doors and gradient of the landscaping.  All of these have in common the responsibility of moving water off and/or away from the building. 

The roof includes the sheathing, roof covering, flashing, skylights, gutter/downspout/extension subsystem, and penetration boots.  The purpose of this article is to talk about skylights.

Skylights are frequently problematic because they leak at the installation.  In the picture on the left the sunlight is installed on a flat roof on a commercial industrial distribution center.  The roof membrane installation is approximately 25 years old and the sunlight installation is approximately 15 years old.  Unfortunatley that is also the last time anybody went up to look at them.  On any large flat roof there will be seams where the membrane overlaps and is sealed at installation.  The seal frequently involves composite adhesives that can break down over time from heat and UV rays.  When the skylights were installed several seams are created as part of the flashing for the skylights.  These seams should be evaluated on an annual basis and resealed as required.  In this case all skylights (9) were leaking and required complete overhaul. 

 Richard

Comments in this blog posting are the intellectual property of Richard Acree, President, HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, and contributing members of the Active Rain Real Estate network, and are intended to educate and otherwise assist home owners, sellers and buyers, building owners, sellers and buyers, realtors, real estate investors, property managers, and lenders in the process of owning, buying or selling homes or commercial buildings.  HABITEC is a residential (home) and commercial building inspection company serving Middle Tennessee including Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Mt. Juliet, Hendersonville, Dickson, Belle Meade, Columbia, Spring Hill and more!  In addition to building inspections HABITEC offers Environmental Services for mold assessments, radon testing and water quality analysis.  Additional information about HABITEC can be found on our website at www.habitecinspections.com, or call 615-376-2753.