Good skylight maintenance is mostly about the parts around the glass: keeping the flashing sound, the seals intact, the weep holes clear and debris off the uphill side. Clean the glass or dome gently, check inside for stains and condensation, and have the flashing and seals inspected at least once a year. Most skylight leaks come from worn seals or flashing, not broken glass.
If your skylight is already dripping, call Cannon Roofing at (940) 627-1045, any hour, or reach us through our contact page.
How skylights keep water out
A skylight works as a layered system. The glass or acrylic dome sits in a frame, sealed with gaskets or glazing tape. The frame sits on a curb or directly on the deck. Around it, step flashing and a head and sill flashing kit lap into the shingles so water runs around the opening and back onto the roof. Many units also have small weep holes that let condensation drain out of the frame.
Any layer that fails lets water in, and because water runs along rafters before it drips, the stain may not appear right below the skylight.
A practical skylight maintenance routine
From inside, every few months
- Look for water stains, peeling paint or bubbling drywall around the light well.
- Check for condensation on the glass or frame on cool mornings and whether it's dripping.
- Note any musty smell or mold spots in the shaft.
- If the unit opens, check that it closes tightly and the seals aren't torn.
From outside, twice a year
- Clear leaves and debris from the uphill side of the skylight, where they dam water against the flashing.
- Look for cracked or crazed acrylic domes, which get brittle under Texas UV.
- Check that sealant along the frame hasn't shrunk or pulled away.
- Keep weep holes clear so condensation can drain.
Much of this can be seen from a ladder at the eave or with binoculars. Getting onto the roof around a skylight is a fall risk, so leave that to a pro.
Cleaning the glass or dome
Use mild soap, water and a soft cloth. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners on acrylic, which can cause crazing, and never use abrasive pads. A clean skylight lets more light in and makes it easier to spot cracks. If the skylight is too high to reach from inside, a long-handled soft mop works for the interior side; leave the exterior to a roofer if reaching it means standing on the roof.
Flashing and seal checks a roofer should do
An annual professional look is what catches trouble early. On the roof, a technician checks:
- That step flashing is lapped correctly with each course of shingles.
- That head flashing at the top sheds water over, not under, the shingles above.
- For rust, dents from hail or gaps where flashing has pulled away.
- That the frame is still fastened tightly and not shifted.
- For shingles around the unit that are cracked, lifted or missing granules.
Storm and seasonal checks
North Texas puts skylights through a lot: summer heat that bakes sealant and acrylic, spring hail and wind-driven rain that tests every lap in the flashing, and the occasional winter ice storm. Timing a professional check for late winter, before hail season, catches problems while the weather is still mild enough to fix them easily.
After a hailstorm
Hail can crack acrylic domes, dent metal frames and flashing and bruise the shingles around a skylight. After a significant storm, have skylights checked along with the rest of the roof. Damage that seems minor can let water in during the next heavy rain.
When maintenance becomes repair
Some problems are past the point of cleaning and resealing:
- Cracked or yellowed, brittle domes.
- Fogging between panes of insulated glass, which means the seal has failed.
- Rotted curbs or framing.
- Repeated leaks despite fresh sealant.
At that point the fix is usually new flashing, a new unit or both. Our article on skylight leak repair explains the options, and our roof repair team handles skylight flashing and replacement work. During a full reroof, skylights are an ideal time to reflash or replace, since the surrounding shingles are coming off anyway.
Fitting skylights into a roof maintenance membership
Skylights are easy to forget until they leak. Folding them into a regular roof maintenance routine means they get looked at on a schedule along with pipe boots, vents and flashing. Cannon Roofing's Roof Protection Plan is a membership that keeps your roof on a regular maintenance and inspection routine; the plan page has the current details. For a broader list of what to check each year, see our annual roof maintenance checklist.
Cannon Roofing has been caring for roofs in Wise County and North Texas since 1994. Our crews are factory trained and every employee carries the Technician Seal of Safety.
Frequently asked questions
Is condensation on my skylight a leak?
Not necessarily. Warm, humid indoor air can condense on cool glass, especially in bathrooms and kitchens. If it only appears on cold mornings and dries later, it's likely condensation. Better ventilation often helps.
Can I reseal a skylight myself?
Sealant might slow a small leak, but most skylight leaks are flashing problems that sealant won't solve. Working on a roof near a skylight is also risky. Have a roofer check it.
How long do skylights last?
It varies with the unit, the flashing and sun exposure. Many homeowners replace skylights when they replace the roof so the new flashing and unit start their lives together.
Keep your skylights bright and dry. Call Cannon Roofing at (940) 627-1045. We're open 24/7 and serve homes in Decatur, Bridgeport, Rhome, Boyd and across North Texas. You can also request an inspection through our contact form.