Pillar 05 / Cluster 5A

Skylights: Getting Them Right (and Why So Many Leak)

Most skylight leaks are installation failures, not skylight failures. There are three skylight types, each waterproofed differently, and placement rules most roofers don't know. The honest answer to 'should my roofer install it' is usually no, unless they can prove otherwise.

Why skylights leak, where one can and can't go on your roof, whether they're worth it, and the uncomfortable question of whether your roofer should be trusted to install one at all.

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4 Questions About Skylights: Getting Them Right (and Why So Many Leak)

Should I trust my roofer to install a skylight?

Probably not by default. Most roofers avoid skylights entirely, and the ones who do them without training are why skylights have the reputation they do. Ask for proof of experience.

Why do so many skylights end up leaking?

Almost never the unit. Leaks come from the flashing method being wrong for the skylight type, sealant used where it should not be, or the wrong location on the roof.

Where can a skylight go on my roof, and where can't it?

Skylight placement is decided by what is above the ceiling: valleys, furnace flues, and whether your roof is framed with rafters or trusses. The room only tells you where you want one.

Is a skylight worth it, or am I just asking for leaks?

Skylight leaks are installation failures, not product failures. A skylight is worth it when the placement works and the installer can prove they actually know skylights.

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Related Clusters

Pillar 05 / Cluster 5B

Snow Retention: Keeping Snow From Sliding Off Your Roof

Snow sliding off a slick roof has dented cars, broken windows, and killed. Real snow retention is engineered to snow-load data and covers the whole roof; guessed-at systems create uneven loads or tear the roof itself off.

Pillar 05 / Cluster 5C

Gutters, Gutter Guards, and Attic Services

Gutter guards work, but the brand-name price is mostly sales machine: the same class of screen installs for a fraction of the big-brand quote. And no guard means never cleaning your gutters again; that promise is a myth.

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We're here to see what's going on with your roof. A real assessment starts with your history and your attic, not a number from the driveway. You'll get a straight answer about what's up there, what it needs, and what it costs. Sometimes the honest answer is: your roof looks great.

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