Who should you call when a skylight is leaking?
Short answer. In most cases call a roofer first, because most skylight leaks come from the flashing and shingles around the unit, which is roofing work. Call the original installer if the skylight or roof is still under its workmanship warranty, the manufacturer or a skylight specialist if the glass or motor is the problem, and your insurer if a storm or falling limb broke it.
Who handles what
- Roofer: flashing, curb, shingles and underlayment around the skylight, plus replacing an old unit as part of a roof repair or replacement. This covers most leaks.
- Original installer: if the skylight or roof went in recently, a workmanship warranty usually requires you to call them first, and another contractor's work may complicate it.
- Manufacturer: glass seal failures, frame defects and motor problems may fall under the product warranty. Have the model and serial number ready, usually on a label inside the frame.
- Glazier or skylight specialist: custom or large glass units, and venting units with motor or rain sensor problems.
- Your insurer: if hail cracked the glass or dome, a limb hit it, or wind damaged the flashing. Photograph everything first.
- HVAC contractor: if the drip is really condensation from high indoor humidity or a nearby bathroom without a working exhaust fan.
What to tell whoever you call
- When it drips: during rain, after rain, or on dry, cool mornings.
- Where it drips: a corner, the middle of the glass, or down the shaft wall.
- The skylight's age and whether it is fixed or venting.
- Photos of the stain, and of the outside of the skylight if you can see it safely from the ground.
Until it is fixed
Catch the water, move belongings and keep an eye on the drywall in the light shaft, which can sag or grow mold once saturated. Do not climb onto the roof to seal it yourself. See replacing skylights with a new roof and common roof leak causes.