How do I make a skylight leakproof?

Q I’m planning to replace my asphalt shingle roof. How should I roof around the skylight so it won’t leak?

Raymond Ramirez, via E-mail

A Most residential skylights sit on a raised curb made watertight with metal flashing. If it’s carefully removed when the old roof is torn off, it should be reusable. If not, you’ll have to buy new flashing ($50 to $100) either from the skylight manufacturer or from a roofing company that has a metal fabrication shop (look under “Roofing” in the Yellow Pages).

First remove the skylight’s counterflashing. On some units, you have to remove the whole glass frame (lead photo). On other models, you simply unscrew a metal channel from the curb. Next pry off the old shingles, carefully pulling nails to save the flashing. To reassemble, follow the steps as outlined by the photos, and you’ll have a leakproof installation. Note that the metal flashing pieces don’t need to be sealed to each other. Since water runs downhill, they only need to be installed in the right order. So put away that roofing cement.

If you’re hiring a roofing crew, ask them to carefully remove the old flashing and reuse it if it’s in good shape.

1 INSTALL 6-in. wide strips of a self-sticking waterproof underlayment. This underlayment will direct any water that may get through the metal flashing onto the roofing felt. Install from the bottom up, lapping each piece on top of the lower one.

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2 SET the bottom one-piece flashing on top of the shingle course. Nail it only at the upper corners; don’t nail it into the roof.

3 WEAVE the step flashing up the side of the skylight as you install each shingle course. Nail at the upper corner.

4 THE TOP (HEAD) FLASHING is one piece that wraps around the sides. This fabricated piece has soldered and sealed seams and corners. Fit and install the next row of shingles, leaving about 1/2 in. of flashing exposed.

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How can I add a switch to an existing receptacle?

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Q None of the outlets in our living room are connected to a switch, so we have to go around the room turning on lamps. Is there an easy way to connect a switch to some of the outlets?

S. Werschem, via E-mail

A Yes—buy a set of wireless electronic switch modules. You plug your lamp into a receiver module and then into a nearby wall receptacle (shown above). Then mount the battery-operated switch module at any convenient location on the wall. That’s it! Each receptacle you want to switch must have a receiver module. A single switch and receiver costs $24 at Radio Shack.

Any tricks to removing old, dry glazing compound?

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Q I’ve been digging out the old cracked and hardened putty from around my old window glass, but some of it is stuck and I’m gouging the wood frames. Is there a better way to remove it?

H. Melendy, Dunwoody, GA

A First soften the putty with heat. A heat gun works best. Set it on low and direct the heat back and forth along the putty, slowly warming it. Be careful. If you hold the heat in one place on or near the glass, the glass will crack and you’ll have an even bigger job on your hands! As the glazing compound softens, scrape it out with a stiff putty knife.

How can I stop condensation on my skylight?

Q We have a skylight on the north side of an upstairs room. This winter we had a lot of condensation running down the window and the wall and dripping onto the floor. How can we stop it?

P. Enbody, Greenville, MI

A Condensation occurs when humid air hits the cold glass. You either have to warm the glass or reduce indoor humidity. A quick but crude solution is to put a fan on the floor, pointing up toward the skylight. The warm air blowing on the glass may be sufficient to keep the condensation under control. But if you don’t want to step over the fan for the rest of your days, try these fixes.

If your skylight has only a single layer of glass, add a second insulating layer either by fabricating an interior storm unit or by installing an off-the-shelf film kit ($5 at most home centers). Either choice will warm the inner layer and stop condensation.

Reduce the humidity level in your house. If you have condensation on other double-pane windows, you can assume the humidity is too high. Reduce humidity at the moisture sources. For example, reduce humidifier use, vent clothes dryers outside, run ventilation fans in bathrooms and kitchens, cover damp crawlspaces with plastic, and stop using unvented gas or kerosene heaters. If you can’t eliminate these common moisture sources, use a dehumidifier.

Don’t know where to recycle your rechargeable batteries?

Call 1-800-8BATTERY or go on-line at www.rbrc.org to find the closest drop-off location for rechargeable batteries, with the exception of car batteries. Rechargeable batteries are the type found in nearly any gadget that you plug in to recharge—like cell phones, power tools, laptops and camcorders.

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Art Direction • GREGG WEIGAND

Photography • BILL ZUEHLKE