Interior repair
The light well is dried and refinished once the area is dry.
Exterior Services
Skylight Repair Kenilworth, NJ
A roofer in Kenilworth can repair a leaking skylight by resealing or replacing the flashing, fixing failed glass seals or replacing a cracked dome, and tell you honestly when a unit is worn out. Dial (908) 613-5001 to talk with a local roofer about the skylight.
When a skylight drips, the flashing around the frame is the usual culprit, and the glass is rarely the problem. Every skylight relies on a set of flashing pieces, with step flashing woven into the shingles along the sides and solid pieces across the top and bottom. Debris piling up on the uphill side, ice at the head flashing and old sealant that has cracked are the other common entry points.
Before anything gets torn apart, it is worth ruling out condensation. Condensation shows up on cold days whether it rains or not, while a true leak follows rain or melting snow. If the glass looks cloudy between the two panes, the insulated glass seal has broken, a glass problem rather than a roof leak.
Some quick notes make the first call more useful. Write down when the dripping happens, whether the glass fogs inside or between the panes and whether the stain is at the top or bottom of the shaft. It also helps to know the age of the skylight and whether it was flashed in during the last reroof.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Kenilworth roofer may also recommend skylight installation or flashing repair.
Dealing with this in Kenilworth, NJ right now? Call (908) 613-5001 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Kenilworth.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a skylight repair
Here is how a roofer typically handles a skylight repair.
Look at the stains
The inspection starts below, checking the frame, the shaft drywall and the glass for signs of condensation versus leaking. The pattern of stains often tells the story.
Check the flashing
The roofer looks at how the skylight was flashed in, since caulk in place of proper flashing is a common cause. If the source is unclear, a slow water test from the roof finds it.
Reflash the skylight
The shingles around the skylight are lifted, the old flashing removed and new flashing installed in correct laps. Proper laps do the work that caulk never could.
Restore the seal
Glass with a broken seal is swapped for a new insulated unit, or a cracked acrylic dome is replaced. On many skylights, the glass can be replaced from the roof without removing the frame.
Dry out the well
Water-stained drywall in the shaft is dried, cut out if soft and refinished. Insulation around the shaft is checked, since thin insulation adds to condensation.
What is included
Common skylight repairs
Venting unit repair
Cranks, motors, rain sensors and gaskets on opening skylights are repaired or replaced so it closes tight in rain.
Acrylic dome
Cracked, crazed or yellowed plastic domes are replaced on older curb-mounted units.
Glass seal replacement
Glass that has lost its seal is replaced without changing the frame.
Flashing repair
A new flashing kit is installed around the frame instead of another layer of caulk.
Related service
Skylight Leak Repair Kenilworth, NJ
Skylight leak repair is about finding the exact point where water gets past the flashing and closing it properly. The most common fixes are new step flashing along the sides, a new head flashing on the uphill side and clearing debris that dams water above the unit. Smearing roof cement over the joint usually traps water rather than stopping it.
For Kenilworth homeowners, the timing of the drip is the best clue: rain and snowmelt point to a leak, cold dry mornings point to condensation. An aging skylight on an aging roof is often better replaced than repaired, especially if the glass is fogged too. The best plan avoids paying to flash the same opening twice.
Related service
Skylight Glass Replacement Kenilworth, NJ
Skylight glass replacement fixes fogged panes, cracked glass and worn-out domes without replacing the whole frame. Glass skylights usually use insulated glass units, with tempered glass outside and laminated glass inside so broken glass stays in place. Older curb-mounted skylights often use an acrylic dome that can be replaced on its own.
Before ordering new glass for a Kenilworth skylight, the roofer checks whether replacement parts are available for that model. If parts are no longer made for the unit, replacing the skylight may be simpler than finding glass. Upgrading to low-E glass at the same time can reduce heat gain and condensation.
Local help
Skylight Repair Near Me
Around Kenilworth, most skylight leaks trace back to worn flashing or sealant that has dried out over the years. Across Kenilworth and nearby communities including Roselle Park, Union, Cranford and Roselle, skylights that were left in place during an earlier reroof are often the ones that leak first, which is why it pays to look at the shaft drywall after big storms.
Need skylight repair around Kenilworth? Call (908) 613-5001 for a Kenilworth roofer who serves the towns around it too.
What the local climate does to a roof
Cold winters bring snow, ice and a long stretch of freezing nights. When warm attic air melts the snow, the meltwater runs down and freezes again at the eaves, building ice dams that push water up under the shingles. Strong coastal storms push rain into every weak spot at the flashing and valleys. That is why roof repair in Kenilworth is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why not wait
Drier ceilings
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Roofers who know Kenilworth
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Kenilworth and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Common questions about skylight repair
Why is my skylight foggy between the panes?
Fog between the panes means the seal on the insulated glass has failed. It is a glass problem rather than a leak, though it does reduce clarity and efficiency. Replacing the insulated glass or sash solves it.
Is water on my skylight a leak or condensation?
The weather when it drips tells you most of what you need to know. Water that shows up during rain or snowmelt is a leak, while beads on the glass on cold, dry mornings are condensation. Better ventilation and lower humidity cut down on condensation.
Do I need a new skylight or just a repair?
A sound skylight with failed flashing can be repaired by replacing the flashing. An old unit with fogged glass and a failing frame is usually replaced instead. An inspection shows which path costs less over time.
Is it smart to replace skylights during a reroof?
It often pays off, since the flashing has to come apart during the reroof anyway. The new flashing kit and the new shingles go in together, which gives the best seal. Ask the roofer whether the unit has enough life left to keep.
What makes a skylight leak?
Water nearly always gets in where the skylight meets the roof, not through the glass. Debris piled above the skylight, ice at the head flashing and dried-out sealant are the other common causes. If it drips on cold dry days, condensation is more likely than a leak.
More questions? Call (908) 613-5001
Other services that may help
Skylight Installation
Adding natural light through the roof with fixed, venting or tubular skylights, flashed into the shingles so the opening stays dry.
Learn moreFlashing Repair
Fixing the metal flashing at walls, dormers, valleys and roof edges, before hidden rot spreads into walls and decking.
Learn moreRoof Leak Repair
Leak repairs that fix the entry point, not just the ceiling stain, before wet decking and insulation turn into rot.
Learn moreRoof Leak Detection
Tracing hidden roof leaks with attic checks, moisture meters, hose testing and infrared scans, before anyone tears into the wrong part of the roof.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesGet skylight repair help in Kenilworth
Call (908) 613-5001 for a local roofer in Kenilworth and nearby towns.