Md Skylight Repair - How To Fix a Skylight Leak

www.HomeRestorationsMd.com/md-skylight-repair.html
How To Repair A Leaky Skylight The Right Way.
Attention Homeowners: When you call a Contractor to fix a leaky skylight, what exactly are you to expect? Do you think the contractor is qualified to do the job right? Do you even know what goes into a good Certified Skylight Repair?
Will he use new shingles, ice and water shield, step flashing, and header flashing . . . or will he just head up to the roof with a tube of $1.59 roof caulking from Home Depot and smear the goo all over the place . . . causing a costly mess and more damge to your home?
This video shows you the right way to fix skylight leaks, so now you know what to look for. Now, in my 33 years of doing Certified Skylight Repairs I don't think I have ever seen a repair done correctly. Mostly I just see goop, tape, tar, foam, latex caulk -- you name it -- smeared all over the leaky area. I just don't get it. Where's the knowledge; where's the pride?
Anyway, if you have a leaky skylight in your home, watch this video so you know what's going on. And if you're in the State of Maryland, click the link above and we'll come out and solve your skylight problems right away.
Need a replacement skylight installed? We do that as well; and we are VERY happy to help. Good luck with your project. Hope this helps.

[@ForvoQuizlet]

This is enough information to let me know I need to call someone. Very informative, thank you!

[@bobbytiger]

I'm going to look at this video about 15 more times, then give it a go. Thanks for the info.

[@BigGamethefirst]

fyi, you nailed your step in the bottom center. That is a very potential leak. If you place your nail at the top of the step, the next shingle will cover it for no possible leaks. If you are worried about your step being loose at the bottom without the nail. Bend your step at an obtuse 45 degree angle and then when you press it against the wall and fasten it, it will sit in there tight.

[@Joseph710052]

Thank you for sharing your videos. You have been extremely helpful to many, many folks who need your guidance. I have been a state-licensed roofing contractor in Calif for 44 years and you have my highest kudos!

[@SprouseyTheHandyMan]

These videos are great quality for being 12 years old?

[@MdRoofingServices]

Hi Keith, It's not too hard making a custom aluminum header pan for your skylights -- but it requires the right equipment. We make them from aluminum "coil stock" that we get from our roofing supplier. It comes in 50' rolls, 14" and 24" wide. A normal pan would be 12" on the upper side of the skylight, then formed with a "sheet metal brake" (bent 90 degrees) to go up under the rear lip of the skylight. You should be able to find a local guy with a brake to help you out -Bill T-

[@JasonTylerRicci]

My skylights been troublesome past several years. Leaks every year. I'm put roofing tar all around the seams and it still leaks. It almost certainly needs replacing, refkashing, and the surrounding shingles replace. I just can't figure out exactly where the leak is coming from

[@sinsagoodmansbrother]

Excellent! Thank You for posting this... I'm dealing with a Skylight leak right now. It's made the sheetrock cave in. I can see the water dripping down from the attic but I can't find where its getting in?

[@hhova29]

@MdRoofingServices thanks for the quick reply and resource of info. greatly appreciate it. one of the who suggested rubbering came very highly recommended and puts a 7yr warranty on the job, w/ 32yrs experience. The roofer that suggested "aluminum capping," on warranties his work for 5 yrs and has many yrs of experience but not as the contractor w/ 32yrs. both gave same estimates. both Lowes and home depot Rep's suggested going w/ the rubbering/shingles. i'm confused now?

[@somewhereusa9602]

Hi Mr. Thomas. Question, ¿is that upper 'header pan' bent up at the skylight's upper side (side facing roof's peak)? ¿Or is it simply notched to receive said skylight's upper side, please? Thank you. tonyd.

[@MdRoofingServices]

If it's in a bathroom, make sure most of the moisture from showering, etc. is evacuated with a fan. Also make sure the tunnel is well insulated from the attic side ... maybe use some fiberglas or even foam board. If that doesn't cure it all the way you may need to turn your humidifier down a bit. Velux skylights are pretty tight so vapor will NOT get out through air exfiltration. Hope it helps. -Bill T-

[@MdRoofingServices]

@hhova29 Thanks for the note . . . this is important stuff. I'm not sure what the first two roofers meant by "rubbering and shingles", but I'm assuming they meant rubberized caulking with new shingles. If that's true, this is NOT the way to go . . . I think the third roofing contractor meant "aluminum capping". As long as he's installing new aluminum step flashing, header flashing, and integrating them with new shingles installed properly in these new systems, that IS correct! Bill T

[@MdRoofingServices]

Hey frolly! If you watched the video and still have "no idea" how to fix a skylight, then you probably should not climb a ladder and get up on your roof and try. By design, it is just a guide for someone with some skills already to try a new approach. Most people with average roofing skills will "get it". If you live in Maryland, call me, and I will help you. I actually don't encourage anyone without "on the roof" experience to get up on their roof -- it's quite dangerous up there. Bill T

[@MdRoofingServices]

@camworx Yes, we see that from time to time with Velux units. As long as the seal between the glass panes is not broken, this type of leak is easy to fix. First, take off the header flashing at the top (2 screws). Then remove the metal next to the glass -- clean the metal -- and apply about a 3/8" bead of clear silicone 1/2" in from the edge. Push it back in place and reassemble. Let the silicone harden, then come back later and clean the excess with a knife blade. That's it! -Bill T-

[@2miangels]

@cat304cr yes is always better way , those skylights sometimes leaks from the bottom on roof less than 3/12 pitch when I fix a skylight always remove the unit and applied sealant on the bottom and 8" from the bottom corner up and before install self stick underlayment around skylight I clean up with laccer thinner and then apply primer

[@MdRoofingServices]

Jre, not all homeowners can afford a "Mercedes" in this economy, so we'll give them "good-better-best choices". But we'll do that without sacrificing our quality of workmanship. Our fixes won't leak. Velux skylights are fine. Some think the gasket is an improvement. The ice and water shield you speak of is really roof repair tape and is only about 6" wide ... I'm not a fan. In retrofit, Velux's are actually quite a bit smaller, requiring additional work and materials, and decreasing the view.

[@seans9841]

Just recently had a skylight removed from a vaulted ceiling when a metal roof was installed. Was wondering what type of insulation be used inside the opening before patching it up? Not sure if faced or unfaced insulation should be used, or if using a baffle for separation between the insulation and roof deck is needed. Want to make sure I do it right correctly so moisture forming doesn't become an issue. Trying to find info on insulating such an opening and hard to find info....any tips would be greatly appreciated

[@MdRoofingServices]

Glad we could be of help. If you need any written assistance, feel free to ask. You can either use this KZbin Channel or go to the description to the right of the video, click on the link and navigate to the "contact us" page. People ask questions from all over the country; and I provide as much help as I can . . . Good Luck! -Bill T-

[@MdRoofingServices]

I don't know how to answer that one, RK, except maybe the contractor thought the skylight was worn out ... and/or maybe he didn't think he could "save" it. I would have to know more about the situation. Thanks, and good luck, -Bill T-

[@kgchomes]

Bill, Is it hard to make a custom aluminum header pan? I've got two skylight trio's leaking slightly on a 16 yr old home. Thanks, Keith

[@guymaupin2139]

I have a flush mounted dome skylight. what would the procedure be for flashing that? I know i have to remove the shingles, clean the area around it from tar/debris, take off the mounting brackets, cut the sealant, re-seal to roof deck. how do I go about flashing?

[@cooper6488]

This is what I need done, called someone to repair it and they wanted to replace both my skylights for 2k sigh

[@ilqkris]

I was thinking the same thing, and it is not that I am without some experience and skills.

[@jre1012]

That fix won't leak at the roof but that is only because you wrapped it. The ice and water shield I speak of IS just that. It's not repair tape. If you think it is then you obvi don't install that product. It's also 9" wide rolls. I think your just a few inches short. LOL. There are all different sizes of skylights to choose from. It looks like you did the best you could though. Good job.

[@hhova29]

i currently have a skylight leak where i had 3 roofing companies come for estimates. 2 of the roofers stated that i needed "rubbering and shingles", and the last roofer opposed to this and stated that what he would do is "Aluminum cupping." Can you please help advise, as i do not know what would be the best method used here for my skylight? They both gave the same estimate, and guarantee there work for at least 5-10yrs!

[@phillipgtr]

May I ask how much would it cost to fix it?

[@frederickkramer6417]

Hi bill. I have about 7 leaky skylights made by insula-dome. They are self-flanged with copper flanges. Am I able to us this step-flashing method with ice shield with my current copper flanged skylights?

[@rbrimages]

Hi, Bill. My potential roofer (Long Island Roofing who also sell skylights) says that when they are up on my roof if they discover that my skylight has not been installed properly (the skylight was installed many years ago) then they will change the whole skylight. I don't get it. Why should the whole skylight be changed? I have no problem with the skylight except the fact the motorized crank makes a lot of noise when I try to open and close it using the wall switch.Thanks for your help. Ro.

[@jre1012]

Why would you leave that skylight in? It looks like an old Wasco unit with a pvc deck flange. Those are awful. I like the new VELUX skylights where the flange has a gasket and it even comes with the ice and water shield in the box. So easy to install.

[@quietwoodworking]

Not enough information.

[@hondaturbo666]

How much is this fix costing???

[@inazupra]

My question is how do you keep the tunnel and the sky light from sweating? We bought a Design home and replaced the skylight with a velux skylight, but now it seems to sweat more than ever. deb

[@techprofessional3892]

Just read it somewhere, it sweats lack of roofing paper wrap under flashing around sky light since it cause thermal condemnation and drips.

[@danielpack388]

Why would you put your nail in the BOTTOM of the flashing? Wrong. .....nice video. 😆

[@larrycrookshanks1646]

I will guarantee you that everyone of the nails you installed in those flashing tins is rusted completely. Do not nail the tins at the bottom ,nail them at top of shingle .Also the ice and water shield that you used will not stick 100% unless you used modified roof cement over the plastic flange.

[@MdRoofingServices]

@bobbytiger Good luck with it, Bobby. -Bill T-

[@waleedrahman1539]

I have a contractor charging $840.00 to do this job. Is that how much it cost?

[@adnanhajdarpasic5019]

WaleedRahman . That all depends what kind of car he drives

[@MdRoofingServices]

Send me some pictures of what you have going on there, and I'll be happy to help you out. Include the name of the skylight manufacturer ... Click to my main site in the description, send it to the email in the contact us page. Thanks! -Bill T-

[@shantahsieh2877]

I did it myself with the Stodoys plans. I think this is the best way to find out how to build it.