Skylight Leaks After New Roof

Your best approach to a leak with your new roof is calm confidence rather than melodramatic mayhem.

Skylight leaks after new roof.

Leaks at skylights left unattended can lead to costly structural damage rotted roof sheathing rotted roof framing and wet moldy insulation as well. Seal flashing around a leaking skylight. Replace or repair the metal flashing around the frame of the skylight. Use a putty knife to add a layer of roofing cement in the gap between the edge of the flashing and the roofing.

Installation issues are usually the culprit for leaking roofs that are relatively new. Now if you have a newer roof and new skylight and it leaks most of the time what we see then is the roofer did not install the flashing properly. These skylight leaks should not be blamed on faulty product design although at some leaky skylights we find a combination of multiple failures. Apply 100 silicone caulking tube to seal leaks around the skylight lens.

In between the frame and the roof this is a roof problem. Another possibility is that the other parts of your home are actually leaking and you are just mistaking it as a roof leak. When the warm moist room air reaches the cold glazing of the skylight it condenses and drips down. Either the skylight wasn t installed correctly or the flashing and seal around it have become worn.

Sealants may just have to be added to stop the leaking. Most skylights made these days have flashing kits that need to be installed correctly. If you have a roof leak that appears to be at the skylight the first thing to do is rule out condensation as the source. In between the glass and the frame this happens from a worn or weathered seal in the skylight itself.

Another good measure we like to do is install a ice water barrier around the light before installing the flashings. However proper repairs will require removing shingles near the skylight installing appropriate flashing and reinstalling new shingles in the area. Start by clearing any water or debris that has collected between the roofing and flashing. Then lift the roof shingles away from the edges of the skylight so you can access the flashing.

Depending on the location of the leak you may need to. Remove debris make sure your roof valleys are clear of debris re shingle valleys valleys may need to be reshingled with new ice and water shield put in place. Use roofing cement can or tube to seal any gaps or holes in the flashing.