Roofing in Knoxville, TN
Skylight repair in Knoxville
When a skylight leaks, the glass is rarely the problem. The flashing around the frame usually is. Most leaks get fixed by reflashing or resealing, and an old or fogged unit is often worth replacing instead. Text a photo of the drip to start.
- Family roofing company. Since 2018.
- 4,000+ projects documented. On record, job by job.
- Free inspections. Written, line-by-line prices.
- 24-hour emergency line. Leaks and storm damage, any hour.
- All of East Tennessee. Twelve counties, one phone number.
Is it the skylight or the roof?
A few clues, before anyone climbs up:
- Drips at the corners of the skylight well, or stains on the drywall around it, point to the flashing.
- Water beading on the inside of the glass on cold mornings is usually condensation. Bathrooms and kitchens make the most of it.
- Fog between the panes means the seal in the glass has failed. That can't be repaired; the unit gets replaced.
- A leak that only shows up in hard, wind-driven rain often starts at the top of the frame, where water from the roof above runs into it.
Reflashing and resealing
Most skylights on houses sit on a raised wooden box called a curb. A flashing kit turns the water around it: step flashing up the sides, a head piece across the top, an apron at the bottom. When those pieces were caulked instead of lapped, or the shingles around them wore out, the fix is a flashing kit made for that unit, set over ice and water shield with the shingles laid back around it.
Resealing is for a small gap where the flashing itself is still good. It costs less and won't last as long. We'll tell you which one your skylight needs.
When to replace the unit
Replace the skylight when the glass is fogged or cracked, or when the frame is rotted or warped. During a roof replacement, an older skylight is worth a hard look: the shingles around it are coming off anyway, so part of the labor is already in the job. A replacement skylight in the same size fits the same hole in the roof, with no reframing inside. Changing the size means framing work, and the price shows it on its own line.
Questions about skylight leaks
Can a leaking skylight wait until the roof is replaced?
If the roof has a year or two left, a reseal can buy time, and the skylight gets reflashed or swapped during the replacement. If water is reaching the drywall now, don't wait. Wet drywall and insulation grow mold, and the ceiling repair will cost more than the flashing. A bucket and a towel are fine for a night or two, not a season.
My skylight leaks. Can it be fixed, or does it need replacing?
Most skylight leaks come from the flashing around the frame, not the glass. If the unit is sound, we reseal or reflash it, lifting the shingles around it and putting in fresh flashing. If the glass has fogged between the panes or the frame is cracked, replacing the unit makes more sense. Text us a photo to start.
Can you fix a leak instead of replacing the whole roof?
Usually, yes. Most leaks start at a handful of spots: cracked pipe boots, flashing at a wall or chimney, a few wind-lifted shingles, or a skylight. Each can usually be fixed on its own, and if a repair will stop the leak, that's what we quote. We'll also tell you when patching has become throwing money away.
Can I just text you a photo?
Please do. Text a photo of the problem (the ceiling stain, the shingles in your yard, the spot you can see from the street) to (865) 830-8126 with your address. We'll text back what it looks like and whether someone needs to come out. It's the fastest way to find out if a problem is small.
Get your skylight leak looked at
Four boxes. We'll call you back to pick a time.
Rather talk? Call (865) 830-8126. Rather text? Send a photo.