Skylight Flashing Problems – Leak Repair & Proper Re-Flashing

Leaking Around the Skylight? The Flashing Is Usually the Cause

If water enters around the skylight — not through the glass — the problem is almost always incorrect or damaged flashing.
Flashing is the waterproof metal system that seals the skylight to the roof, and when it fails, leaks appear during:

• heavy rain

• wind-driven rain

• morning condensation

• storms

• roof cleaning or pressure washing

Common symptoms:

• Water stains on drywall around skylight

• Drips appearing only during rain

• Brown rings or bubbling paint

• Water running down the inside corners of the shaft

• Moisture coming in from roof tiles, not from the skylight

Incorrect flashing installation is the #1 cause of skylight leaks.

Why Flashing Problems Happen

1. Incorrect Installation by Roofers or Handymen

Most leaks come from:

• using wrong flashing kits

• installing a skylight without factory flashing

• improper step flashing integration

• failure to cut underlayment correctly

VELUX flashing requires specific roof pitch ranges — if mismatched, leaks happen immediately.

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2. Old or Rusted Flashing

Over time, flashing can:

• rust

• crack

• separate

• shift with roof movement

Particularly common on old metal, tar, or shake roofs.

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3. Tile Roof Issues

On tile roofs, leaks often come from:

• improper pan flashing

• missing back pans

• mortar or foam installed incorrectly

• water getting trapped under tiles

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4. Failed Underlayment

Even if flashing looks good on the outside, the underlying waterproof membrane may be:

• torn

• folded incorrectly

• deteriorated

• never installed

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5. Improper Roof Work

Leaks often appear after:

• re-roofing

• solar panel installation

• HVAC roof penetration

• pressure washing

Roofers sometimes reuse old skylight flashing, which leads to failure within months.

How We Fix Flashing Problems

✔️ Full Leak Inspection

We inspect the skylight, roof layout, tiles, underlayment, and flashing system to identify the root cause.

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✔️ Install Correct VELUX Flashing Kits

We replace incorrect or damaged flashing with the proper factory system:

• EDL (shingle/low profile roofing)

• EDW (tile roofs)

• ECW (high-profile tile roofs)

• EDH / EKL (specific roof pitches)

VELUX flashing is engineered to eliminate leaks when installed correctly.

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✔️ Proper Underlayment Integration

We redo membrane layers around the skylight to ensure:

• correct overlap

• correct pitch

• proper drainage path

• no reverse laps

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✔️ Tile Lift & Reset for Tile Roofs

For concrete or clay tiles:

• lift surrounding tiles

• install new tile pan

• re-cut tiles for correct fit

• reset and seal according to VELUX standards

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✔️ Full Re-Flashing (Best Long-Term Solution)

If the skylight is in good condition but flashing is failing, a complete re-flash is often the best fix.

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✔️ Skylight Replacement (If Needed)

If the skylight is very old, warped, or acrylic-dome type — replacing the entire unit is more cost-effective than fixing flashing around it.

Warning About “Quick Fixes”