How to Replace a Leaky Skylight | This Old House

Installing a new skylight into an existing opening with This Old House general contractor Tom Silva. (See below for a shopping list and tools.)
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Tools for Replacing a Leaky Skylight:
pry bar
drill/driver
utility knife
hammer
Shopping List for Replacing a Leaky Skylight:
skylight
2-inch galvanized ring-shank nails
ice-and-water membrane"
1 1/2-inch roofing nails
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How to Replace a Leaky Skylight | This Old House
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[@mikenestle4679]

This is the best video on removing skylights anywhere. A lot of "This Old House" is not so easy to apply to structures in the Western USA but this is a pleasant exception.

[@markus1564]

... “the flat bahhhr in the top cahhhnah” really did the trick. I love these.

[@justinballard7242]

How to fix a skylight. Remove it and put in a piece of sheeting and roof right over it

[@kevins5268]

That's not good if you have a pool house. I love my skylights and natural light when swimming indoors

[@dominick253]

Yes!!! This! They're useless. Maybe before electricity was invented they were nice 😂😂😂

[@Mike__B]

Really love these shows, there's another TOH skylight replacement job video that I just saw and Tommy was very adamant about needing a safety harness that's tied to the roof and it was him and Kevin doing it. Now here's a video Tommy and the homeowner, nah we don't need safety gear.

[@neilirvine5469]

Mike B May depend on the slope and height of the roof. They also have scaffolding set up in this one, which is a big step up in safety.

[@kdlittlehawk]

On some shingles its impossible to seperate them to get a prybar underneath to remove the nails. The adhesive is baked on solid. You destroy the shingles in the process. This should have been mentioned in the video.

[@moseskendrick3965]

instablaster

[@ItchyKneeSon]

​@@moseskendrick3965Could you explain a little more?

[@rdahlinger4509]

Thank you so much this is exactly what I was looking for and my skylight is the same angle as yours. Much appreciated

[@RC-Heli835]

I love sky lights but ours have been a night mare for leaks. One actually got busted by a tree limb. It was one that opens so it was very expensive to replace. I managed to fix it instead with 1/2" plexiglass and car windshield glue. That one never has leaked though.

[@richardp5920]

That’s what homeowners insurance is for.

[@marktheunitedstatescitezen185]

Must I replace my old skylight ? Or can I buy step - flashing and reflash it ? Clean up the area , new flashing , new ice & water ?

[@jerseyjim9092]

Why would a skylight leak other than thru improper flashing. I have one that 23 years old and recently after a noreaster, I had some minor dripping from an inside corner. I haven't found the source and it hasn't leaked since. If at some point they fail I'd rather remove them than replace (I have 6) but that would involve a lot of work including adding ceiling drywall.

[@jmanuel423]

Self sealing membrane is tommys word like FULL CITY WATER PRESSURE to Richard.

[@wildb4206]

Wow they did it in less than 7 minutes!

[@Purdue_Pharma]

1:37 Rockin’ the New Balances

[@TNtoolman]

It looked like the old skylight was installed properly... I wonder where it leaked??? We had to replace 2 Velux skylights that fogged up after 20 years, but never leaked.

[@artman102]

The new one could leak also. Notice that the last top flashing did not go under the shingles very far. Water will get under it through the shingle gaps.

[@dansweborg251]

another course of shingles had yet to be installed over the top counter flashing piece

[@mysterycitizen2135]

@3:24 What hammer is this that he uses to install the window? Looks like a sweet hickory handle and titanium head 🤔🤔

[@DaleWyman]

I had y roofing company remove an old skylight and roof over it. What is required now to properly drywall the old opening. I read that the old drywall from the framing should be removed from the sides to allow it to breath. Next install insulation and install drywall to the opening below in my bathroom. Is this correct? Have you done a video on this? Thanks

[@heroknaderi]

The best skylight Viduo👍😉

[@stephensnell5707]

You mean Video

[@heroknaderi]

@@stephensnell5707 yes

[@stevebl5898]

I'm confused about the using step flashing as opposed to one long piece under the shingles. Will this keep runoff on top (somewhat) ? Thanks

[@lisaraschsmith4354]

Did you reuse the shingles that you took off?

[@michaelcardona3678]

Thank you soooo much

[@Chuck59ish]

Why not paint the trim before installing the skylight?

[@ticktockbam]

I saw that and I was like *bruh*

[@johnsmith-wc8gs]

You certainly could but it would still need to be caulked

[@brianhenneman428]

I have a roof leak (or maybe a skylight leak) next to a skylight that I can't seem to fix. I've been up on the roof and in the attic a dozen times trying to fill every possible crack and nothing works. Hope replacing the skylight will do the trick.

[@Austinroofingcontractors]

Pooky or caulk is not a good substitute for proper roofing techniques. I'm not sure why so many install Ice & Water beneath a well-flashed skylight, I think the fear they did it wrong. Here's what we do even with Velux. I'm not a fan of the snap-together aluminum flashing Velux makes. This has been time tested and proven to last more than the lifetime of any wood or composition shingles. Slate, upgrade to copper!

[@Austinroofingcontractors]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pn2vqqdrds96j80 here you go!

[@toltec13]

I have identical shingles. Its called barkwood.

[@GoldenTiger01]

Is this considered a deck mounted or curb mounted skylight?

[@happity]

That's a curb. He just custom built the curb frame.

[@Lukas-Jabs]

After replacing a skylight I have some water staying in the corner of the skylight after rain is it because it is not horizontally level ?

[@marktheamerican4162]

Hey Tommy I have a skylight it’s leaking is it true that when the skylight leaks you have to replace the entire skylight or can we just replace the flashing ?

[@johnsmith-wc8gs]

Well that depends on where it is leaking doesn't it?

[@cengeb]

Before the new skylight replace the shingles, that roof is past its prime...cracked means old and done

[@wildwoodtop]

(5:21) joint / line not staggered acceptable? (Aesthetics!)

[@williamniland761]

How was the shingles not melted to the ice and water. That’s usually the hardest part. Getting the shingles out clean.

[@ajibadeadeniji1714]

interesting

[@patricioc6883]

At first glance, I thought Tom was helping Steve Jobs.

[@RikuSpirit]

When cutting shingles especially old dry ones, wear gloves. If your utility knife slips you will leave your knuckles skin on the roof. It's like 10 grit sandpaper.

[@c172flyer]

Membrane

[@ItchyKneeSon]

Insane in the...?

[@vancieboy]

Also at the bottom right corner where he started the shingles the flaps lined exactly over each other...poor practise...should stagger...

[@josebonifacio3894]

Muito ótimo bom

[@tomhardware2254]

The best way to fix a leaking skylight is to remove the old one and roof over the hole.

[@ticktockbam]

But what if you actually want a non-leaking skylight tho?

[@stevepompei3694]

!

[@hahahahhahahhaha786]

Or you could actually be a roofer and know how to use flashing.

[@makanwalou8414]

No nails in the window frame. I just installed a Velux skylight and followed their installation steps. The nails go only on the side of the flashing never on the window. I guess contractors don't read instructions!

[@scottvan1898]

I rather go in the window fram than driving into the roof

[@tankimus]

every skylight leaks, everytime

[@Faruk651]

Ahahah now you have a brand new skylight to repair. If you already have windows to get enough natural light inside the house, why would anyone want to compromise one of the most important aspects of a house.

[@timf5963]

I definitely wouldn't want another potential water intrusion point. I'd patch the hole and shingle over it. 😆

[@JakeCraftChannel]

*MEMBRANE*

[@SkillBuilder]

Terrible, fake, over-rated

[@rooflogic5610]

it wasnt terrible

[@stephensnell1379]

Nothing is fake you goon