Florida Certified Roofing Contractor CCC 1334537
What does it mean when water drips around a skylight during storms?
A straight answer from a Florida certified roofing contractor — then what you can check yourself and when to call. Free quote: (954) 775-8990.
Water dripping around a skylight during storms usually means the seal between the skylight and the roof has failed. The usual culprits are worn flashing, dried-out sealant, or a curb that no longer sheds water, and heavy wind-driven rain pushes water into those weak points.
The nuance is that the skylight itself is often fine. The glass or dome can be sound while the flashing around it leaks, so replacing the unit does not always fix the problem. Drips that show up only on humid or cool mornings, with no rain, can be condensation, which is a different issue.
Why skylights leak in storms
A skylight is a hole in the roof surface that depends on flashing and sealant to stay watertight. Flashing is the layered metal or membrane that directs water around the opening and over the roofing. Over time, heat, UV and Florida's near-daily summer thunderstorms can crack sealant, loosen fasteners and lift flashing edges. Along the coast, salt air can also corrode unprotected metal.
Storm rain rarely falls straight down. Wind can push water sideways and uphill under flashing that would shed an ordinary shower. That is why a skylight can stay dry for weeks and then drip only in a squall or tropical system.
Aging underlayment around the opening and framing that has been wet for a long time can also be part of the picture. Water can travel along rafters or the underside of the decking before it shows up at the skylight well, so the drip is not always directly below the entry point. Tracing the actual entry point is the main job of the repair.
What you can check yourself (from the ground, attic and ceiling)
Note when it drips
Write down whether it drips only in wind-driven rain, in any rain, or on humid mornings with no rain. That pattern helps separate a flashing leak from condensation.
Look at the ceiling and well
Check the drywall around the skylight shaft for stains, bubbling paint or soft spots. Rings that grow after each storm point to an ongoing leak.
Check the attic, if there is access
With a flashlight on a dry day, look at the framing and insulation around the skylight shaft for dark stains, damp insulation or rusted nails. Do not step between joists, and stay off the roof itself.
Look from the ground
Binoculars can show lifted flashing, visible gaps, cracked sealant or loose tiles or shingles near the skylight. Take photos for your records.
Contain the water
Put a bucket or towels under the drip to protect the floor. This only manages the water and does not fix the cause.
When to call a pro
Call a pro if the drip returns after storms, if the ceiling is stained or sagging, or if the attic insulation or framing near the skylight is wet. Re-caulking over old sealant is a common DIY attempt, but it often just hides the entry point for a while. Leaving a slow leak alone can let the decking and framing stay wet and deteriorate.
On licensing and permits, the rule reads: "Roofing work in Florida legally requires a licensed roofing contractor and generally a permit from the local building department; a contractor's license is verified on the Florida DBPR website." Permit thresholds for small repairs vary by jurisdiction, so confirm with your local building department. We can talk you through it when you call (954) 775-8990.
What a pro will do
- Trace the leak to its entry pointWe diagnose where the water gets in rather than guessing at the skylight, since the source can be flashing, the curb, the roofing around it or the unit itself.
- Repair or rebuild the flashingFlashing repair at skylights, walls, chimneys and valleys is part of our repair scope. Where needed, the roofing around the skylight is reworked so water sheds correctly.
- Replace damaged woodIf the leak has rotted plywood or fascia, replacing it is included in our scope, so you are not surprised by it later.
- Document and quote in writingYou get photos and a written flat rate quote that says what is included. We pull permits under our own license, schedule and pass inspections, close out the permit and do a full cleanup.
Related questions
- Do I need a new skylight, or can the leak be repaired?
- Often the flashing and sealant can be repaired without replacing the unit. A unit that is cracked, fogged between the panes or warped may need to be replaced. We find the entry point first so the quote covers the real problem.
- Could the drip be condensation instead of a leak?
- It can be. Florida's humidity can cause moisture to form on skylight glass and framing, especially in air-conditioned homes, and drip with no rain. A leak shows up during or after rain, usually with staining that grows.
- What affects the cost of a skylight leak repair?
- The main factors are the size and type of skylight, how accessible it is, the roofing material around it, whether a permit is needed, and what we find once the area is opened up, such as wet decking. We give a free estimate and a written flat rate quote that says what is included.
- Will insurance or an HOA be involved?
- Possibly. Condos and HOA communities may have their own approval steps before roof work, and insurance coverage depends on your policy and the cause of the damage. Check both before work starts, and ask us for photo documentation of what we find.
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