Skylights bring natural light into a home, but they also put a hole in your roof. When they are installed and maintained correctly, they do not leak. When something goes wrong, they are one of the most common leak spots on a roof. Here is why, and what to do about it.
Where Skylight Leaks Actually Come From
- Flashing failure. The metal flashing around the skylight frame is what keeps water out. If it was installed poorly, has rusted, or has pulled loose, water gets in around the frame. This is the most common cause.
- Worn seals. The seal between the glass and frame can dry out and crack, especially under Texas sun.
- Damaged glazing. Hail or debris can crack the glass or acrylic dome.
- Clogged weep holes and debris. Leaves piling up on the uphill side of the skylight trap water against it.
- Roofing shortcuts. When a roof is replaced but the skylight flashing is reused or sealed with caulk alone, leaks often follow.
Is It a Leak or Condensation?
Water on the inside of a skylight is not always a leak. In humid weather, warm, moist indoor air can condense on the cool glass and drip down. Condensation tends to appear on the glass itself and on cool mornings. Leaks usually show up at the edges or corners of the frame during or after rain.
Repair Options
- Clean and clear debris around the skylight.
- Reseal the glazing if the seal has failed but the unit is in good shape.
- Reflash the skylight. This means removing surrounding shingles and installing new flashing, ideally a manufacturer's flashing kit.
- Replace the skylight if it is old, cracked, or fogged between panes.
Caulk is not a fix. Smearing roofing cement around a leaking skylight may stop the leak for a while, but it breaks down quickly in the sun and hides the real problem.
Skylights and Roof Replacement
If your skylights are more than about 15 to 20 years old, consider replacing them when you replace your roof. It is much cheaper to do both at once than to tear into a new roof later. At a minimum, skylights should get new flashing during a roof replacement.
Leaking skylight? JD Roofing Solutions repairs and reflashes skylights across Houston. See our roof repair services or call 832-295-3277.
