Costly Flat Roof Leaks – 10 steps to Find and Repair Leaks DIY

Skylights on flat roofs

Making Skylight Repairs on a flat roof can be tricky. Here are a few tips where you can begin.

  How to check for Skylight Leaks

• Skylight flashing – make sure that the rubber membrane has not come loose from the metal flashing. In some cases, the rubber membrane is the flashing as well and is tucked underneath the skylight frame. In other circumstances, the membrane is attached to the skylight flashing. Pull up on the membrane and see if you can lift it from the flashing. It should be tight and secure
• Skylight Dome and Frame – when the glass or plexiglass dome of the skylight is secured with a metal frame, then it is likely that the rubber gasket that seals between the glass and the frame has dried and cracked
• Corners on skylights – In many cases where the rubber membrane is galvanized around the corners of the skylight, can cause leaks due to the seams separation
• Cracked Plexiglass – The plastic or plexiglass domes on skylights crack due to ultralight exposure

From our experience, it is better to use Super Silicone Seal to make a skylight repair than Turbo Poly Seal

Below is a video where Turbo Poly Seal is used to make a leak repair

An Atrium Style Skylight

These atrium-style skylights will; need to be replaced because of the plexiglass cracking causing leaks

How to inspect a roof drain for leaks

A-List of Manufacturers of Skylights:

• Wasco Skylights
• VELUX Skylights
• Bristolite Daylighting Systems
• American Skylights: Custom Skylights
• Commercial Skylight Manufacturer – Architectural Skylights | Plasteco

The skylight in the above picture is the most problematic skylights and are very hard to repair. From experience, these skylights will always leak due to a faulty design.

A Plexiglass Domed Skylight