A hail damaged skylight needs attention fast, because a cracked dome or bent flashing lets water straight into the ceiling below. Protect the opening first, then have the skylight, its frame and the surrounding roof inspected together. Depending on the damage, the fix may be new flashing, a new dome or glass unit, or a full replacement.
If you have a crack, a hole or water dripping from the skylight well right now, call Cannon Roofing at (940) 627-1045. We handle emergency calls 24/7, and non-urgent requests can go through our contact page.
How hail damages a skylight
Skylights face straight up, so they take hail head-on, unlike wall windows that only see stones driven sideways. The damage usually falls into three areas.
The dome or glass
Older plastic bubble skylights, usually acrylic, become brittle after years of Texas sun. A hailstone that would bounce off a newer unit can crack or punch through an aged dome. Glass skylights hold up better, but the outer pane can still chip, star-crack or break, and a failed seal between panes shows up as fogging.
Flashing and curb
The metal flashing around the skylight and the curb it sits on take impacts too. Dented or bent flashing can open gaps at the corners, and hail can crack the sealant or dislodge counterflashing. This kind of damage is easy to miss from inside because the glass looks fine.
Frame and surrounding shingles
Aluminum frames dent, plastic frame parts crack, and the shingles next to the curb often show the same bruising as the rest of the roof. Water that gets under damaged shingles near a skylight tends to show up as a stain on the drywall inside the shaft.
Temporary protection until the repair
A broken skylight is an open hole in the roof. Until a permanent fix is done:
- Clear the area underneath and put down a tarp or bucket inside.
- Don't climb onto the roof to cover it yourself, especially near broken glass or brittle plastic.
- Have a roofer install a proper temporary cover: plastic sheeting or a tarp secured over the skylight and curb so water sheds downhill, not duct tape on a crack.
- Photograph the damage inside and out before and after the temporary cover goes on.
Your policy likely expects you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, and emergency protection is usually treated that way. Keep receipts.
Check the ceiling below
Look at the drywall in the skylight shaft and the ceiling around it for fresh stains, bubbling paint or soft spots. Water that has soaked insulation above the ceiling can keep dripping for a day or two after the rain stops, so note what you see and when. That detail helps both the repair crew and your adjuster.
Repair or replace a hail damaged skylight?
There isn't one answer; it depends on what's broken and how old the unit is.
When a repair makes sense
If the dome or glass is intact and the problem is bent flashing, cracked sealant or a few damaged shingles at the curb, a repair to the flashing and surrounding roof can restore the seal. Our roof repair crews handle this kind of work routinely, and our article on skylight leak repair covers the typical fixes in more detail.
When replacement is the better call
- The dome or glass is cracked or broken, and a matching replacement part isn't available for an older model.
- The unit is old enough that its seals and frame are near the end anyway.
- The roof around it is being replaced after the same storm, which is the ideal time to install a new skylight with new flashing.
Upgrading while you're at it
If you're replacing a skylight in hail country, ask about units with tempered or laminated glass, or impact-rated domes. Some homeowners also choose to remove an unused skylight and deck over the opening. Discuss those options before the work is scheduled, since insurance generally pays to restore what you had, and upgrades may be your cost.
How skylights fit into a roof insurance claim
A skylight is part of the roof system, so hail damage to it is normally included in the same claim as the shingles, vents and gutters. What helps:
- Document the storm date and take close photos of cracks, dents and interior stains.
- Get the whole roof inspected, not just the skylight. If the skylight took hits, the shingles and soft metals probably did too.
- Make sure the estimate lists the skylight separately, including flashing, the unit itself and any interior drywall or paint repair in the shaft.
- Have your roofer meet the adjuster so skylight flashing damage, which is easy to overlook, gets pointed out.
Cannon Roofing has worked on North Texas roofs since 1994 and provides insurance claims help: we inspect, photograph and write the scope, and we can be there when your adjuster looks at the roof. Every crew member carries the Technician Seal of Safety, and we stand behind our work with written warranties.
Frequently asked questions
Can hail crack a glass skylight?
Yes. Glass holds up better than aging acrylic, but large hail can chip or crack the outer pane or break the seal between panes, leading to fogging.
Is a leaking skylight after a storm always hail damage?
No. Worn seals, poor original flashing and debris around the curb also cause leaks. An inspection determines whether the storm caused it, which matters for a claim.
Should I replace my skylight when the roof is replaced?
Often yes, especially for older units. New flashing and a new unit installed with the new roof avoids tearing into fresh shingles later.
Hail hit your skylight? Call Cannon Roofing at (940) 627-1045, any hour, and we'll secure the opening, inspect the unit and the roof around it, and explain your repair and replacement options. You can also reach us through the Cannon Roofing contact page.