Skylight Repair Whitby
A skylight is one of those home features that works beautifully until it doesn’t. Natural light in a kitchen or living space is genuinely great. Water dripping through the frame on a rainy Tuesday is not.
Skylight leaks are one of the more common service calls we get in Whitby — and one of the more commonly misdiagnosed ones. Not every skylight that appears to be leaking has a failed skylight. The problem is often in the flashing, not the unit itself. Getting that distinction right matters quite a bit when it comes to what the repair involves and what it costs.
C.D. Roofing & Construction repairs skylights throughout Whitby and Durham Region. If you’re not certain whether it’s the skylight or something else causing the leak, a roof inspection in Whitby is a good first step — we’ll identify the source before recommending any work.
For full residential roofing services, visit our Roofing Whitby page.Professional Skylight Repair Services in Whitby
There are really two different failure modes for skylights. The first is the skylight unit itself — cracked glazing, failed seal in a double-pane unit (you’ll see fogging or condensation between the panes), degraded frame, or a failed gasket around the perimeter.
The second is the roofing system around the skylight — flashing that’s failed, sealant that’s dried and cracked, or improper installation from the start that lets water in around the curb.
In our experience, the flashing is the culprit more often than the unit itself. A skylight that was installed without proper step flashing and counterflashing — just caulk — is going to leak eventually. Caulk is not a permanent waterproofing solution. On a roof surface exposed to Whitby winters, “temporary” can mean three to five years, sometimes less.
Common Skylight Problems We Fix
Flashing Failure Around the Perimeter
Usually visible as rust staining, lifted metal, or sealant that’s cracked and pulling away. This is the most common cause of skylight leaks and almost always fixable without replacing the unit.
Seal Failure in Double-Pane Units
Once the seal between the panes goes, you’ll see fogging that won’t clear. This is a unit replacement issue, not a flashing issue.
Cracked or Deteriorated Glazing
Impact damage from hail or falling debris, or UV degradation in older plastic dome skylights. The clear plastic used in older skylights yellows and becomes brittle over time.
Condensation on the Interior Frame
This is sometimes mistaken for a leak. It typically indicates a thermal bridging issue with the frame and is more of a comfort problem than a water infiltration problem — though prolonged condensation can damage interior finishes.
Caulk-Only Original Installation
If the skylight was installed with caulk instead of proper integrated flashing, it’s on borrowed time. We re-flash these properly.
How We Approach Skylight Repairs
We start by determining whether the problem is the unit, the flashing, or both. We look at the roofing surface around the skylight, check the condition of the flashing and its integration with the shingles, inspect the curb and interior frame for signs of water tracking.
If it’s a flashing repair, we remove the shingles in the affected area, replace or re-seat the flashing properly with step flashing integrated into the shingle courses, and re-shingle around the unit. Done right, this should be the last time that particular skylight causes trouble.
If the unit itself needs to be replaced, we’ll discuss options. Velux and similar manufacturers make quality replacements that can often fit existing curb dimensions. We’ll give you a realistic sense of cost and expected service life before you commit to anything.
Why Whitby Homeowners Call CD Roofing for Skylight Work
A skylight repair is a combination of roofing knowledge and understanding how the unit works as part of the overall system. It’s not always a job that someone who only knows general carpentry can do correctly.
We’ve been working with skylights — repairing, re-flashing, and replacing — for decades. We know what a properly flashed skylight should look like and we know the shortcuts that come back to haunt homeowners a few years later.
We also know that a skylight repair is often a situation where the previous work was done wrong rather than just worn out. When we find that, we say so, because it affects how the repair needs to be approached.
Recent Skylight Repair Work in Durham Region
Had a call from a homeowner in Ajax who had a skylight that had been “repaired” twice in three years and still leaked. When we looked at it, the step flashing on the upslope side had never been installed — just caulk between the curb and the shingles. Reflashed it properly with integrated step flashing and counterflashing. That was two years ago. No callbacks.
Did a skylight replacement on a home in north Whitby where the original plastic dome had turned yellow and cracked at the hinge point. Removed the old unit, replaced with a matching-size Velux fixed unit, re-flashed the whole perimeter. Homeowner said the light quality was noticeably better — clear glass versus thirty-year-old yellowed acrylic makes a real difference. While we were up there we also resealed the surrounding shingles; if there had been any broader roof repair needs in Whitby we would have flagged them at the same time. While we were up there we also resealed the surrounding shingles; if there had been any broader roof repair needs in Whitby we would have flagged them at the same time. — clear glass versus thirty-year-old yellowed acrylic makes a real difference.
FAQs About Skylight Repair in Whitby
How do I know if my skylight is leaking or if it’s condensation?
Condensation usually appears as fog or moisture on the inside surface of the glass, especially during colder months when warm indoor air meets the cooler skylight surface. A leak, on the other hand, often shows up as water stains on the ceiling, dripping around the skylight frame, or damp drywall. If water appears during or shortly after rain, it’s more likely a leak caused by issues with flashing, seals, or surrounding roofing materials.
Can you repair any brand of skylight?
Yes. Most skylight repairs involve flashing, sealing, or surrounding roofing materials, which can be serviced regardless of the skylight manufacturer. We can work with most common skylight brands and models, whether the issue is a small leak, deteriorated flashing, or aging seals.
Should I replace the whole skylight or just repair the flashing?
It depends on the condition and age of the skylight. If the skylight itself is still in good shape and the issue is caused by faulty flashing or sealing, a repair is often enough. However, if the skylight is older, has damaged glass, or repeated leak issues, replacing the unit may be the better long-term solution. A roof inspection helps determine the most practical option.
How long does a skylight repair take?
Most skylight repairs can be completed in a few hours to half a day, depending on the issue. Simple resealing or flashing repairs are usually quick, while more involved repairs may take longer if surrounding shingles need to be removed and replaced.
Get a Skylight Repair Estimate in Whitby
If your skylight is leaking or you’ve got concerns about its condition, give us a call. We’ll take an honest look and tell you what’s actually going on.
Whitby Roofing Services
CD Roofing & Construction Ltd. provides complete roofing services across Whitby and Durham Region. Learn more about our related services below.