How Salt Mist Shortens Skylight and Roof Seal Lifespans in Ocean-Facing Properties

In South Jersey, many ocean-facing properties, such as those beautiful beach houses in Cape May and Ocean County, are faced with a silent and unknown danger. That refreshing salt mist is detrimental to various roofing components, including skylights and roof seals. Unfortunately, you can’t escape the damage it may cause, you can only prepare for it. Understanding how salt affects your roof is the first step to being able to protect it from environmental damages.

What is Salt Mist and How Does It Reach Roofs?

Salt mist is, technically, airborne salt that is present in the air. Whenever a strong wind blows, vapor or mist is carried off the ocean inland. The high salt content of the ocean means that some of the salt is carried along with the water particles. This is a natural process.

However, with salt mist being carried inland by storm winds, that also means the salt is able to settle wherever the mist goes. When it lands on your roof, the salt reacts to the metal and other components, causing accelerated damages.

Effects of Salt Mist on Roofing Components in Cape May County

As mentioned above, salt has corrosive properties. You see it on cars with rust caused by salt that stayed on the paint for far too long. The same thing can happen to your roof without you noticing. Here is how skylights, roof seals, and other components of your roof are affected:

Skylights

Skylights are framed and fastened with metal. Depending on the type of metal, salt can cause rust. If there is any section that breaks down due to the rust, water can get in, leading to leaks. Furthermore, sealants around the skylight may also be impacted by salt. Even glass can become clouded or stained from too much salt.

Roof Seals

Salt speeds up the breakdown of caulks, adhesives, and flashing easily. When this happens, there’s an increased likelihood of water intrusion and leaks. For waterfront houses, roof seal deterioration is far more common because of salt when compared to further inland properties.

Shingles and Flashing

Shingles and flashing can also get worn down by salt. When salt combines with certain elements on your shingles, you may notice a loss of pigmentation and color fading, as well as more granule loss. The flashing that appears around roof penetrations will also rust (again, dependent on the material) and break down, particularly if the fasteners securing the flashing weaken because of rust.

Early Warning Signs of Salt Damage

While salt mist can be silent and aggressive in how it affects your roof, there are ways to detect the damage it causes before it’s too late. Look for the following warning signs of salt damage:

• Rust on skylight frames or fasteners,
• Leaks around skylights or roof penetrations,
• Discoloration or white deposits (“efflorescence”) on roofs, and
• Cracking or separation of sealants.

Salt Mist Prevention and Maintenance Strategies

Now that you know what signs show that salt mist is causing damage, let’s discuss how you can keep said damages from growing worse. Unfortunately, there’s no way to truly prevent salt mist from landing on your roof and accelerating wear and tear around your skylights and seals. But you can take some steps to minimize the impact.

Here are some things to do:

• Routinely clean your skylights, flashings, and roof surfaces to wash off any salt.
• Apply corrosion-resistant sealants and fasteners, especially ones made for coastal living.
• Schedule a professional roof inspection in the spring and fall.
• Use durable, marine-grade roofing materials where possible.

Get Salt Mist Damages Repaired Today by a Cape May Roofing Contractor

While salt mist is a part of living near the coastline in Cape May County or other areas, it doesn’t mean you have to just accept the damage it causes. Routinely maintaining your roof, washing off the salt, and using the right materials can help limit what salt mist can do. If you have any questions about marine-grade roofing materials or would like to schedule a roofing inspection, be sure to call a roofer you can trust.

RGB Construction has been helping residences throughout South Jersey for over twenty years. Our team is experienced when it comes to salt-related damage in Cape May.