I had my roof reshingled and the skylight len replaced, but my skylight is still leaking. Is there was some sort of sealant I can apply to fix it? -Robert

Hi Robert,

There are several possibilities as to why your skylight is leaking. The leak might not be a leak at all, but the result of condensation forming on the inside of the glass during cold weather. It could also be caused by an unrelated roof leak above the skylight that is finding its way out through the ceiling opening around the skylight.

If the leak appears to be coming from the skylight itself, start by cleaning around the skylight to remove any leaves or debris. Next, examine the exterior of the skylight and flashing carefully for any gaps or flashing that may have been improperly installed.

If you still can’t find the source of the leak, use a garden hose to try and reproduce the leak and narrow it down. Is the water coming from the lens, the frame, or the flashing around the skylight?

Depending on the location of the leak, you may need to:

• Use roofing cement (can or tube) to seal any gaps or holes in the flashing.
• Apply 100% silicone caulking (tube) to seal leaks around the skylight lens.
• Replace or repair the metal flashing around the frame of the skylight.

Try making the easier repairs with roofing cement or silicone caulking first before tackling more difficult fixes, like replacing the flashing.

Good luck with your project,

Further Information

• Leak-Proof Flashing: Fixing Leaks Around Chimneys (article)
• Brighten Up Dark Rooms with Skylights (article)
• How to Find Roof Leaks in Your Home (video)

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