What does skylight leak repair cost, and what affects the price?
Short answer. The cost depends mostly on which of three fixes the skylight needs: a small repair to a seal or a few shingles, a full reflash with new flashing and membrane around the unit, or a new skylight when the glass seal, frame or curb has failed. Rotted curbs or decking, interior drywall damage and steep roofs add to the bill.
The three levels of repair
- Spot repair: replacing a cracked shingle beside the skylight, resealing a fastener, or clearing debris jammed against the head flashing. The smallest job.
- Reflash: removing the shingles around the skylight, wrapping the curb or frame in self-adhered membrane, and installing new step, head and sill flashing, usually a kit made for that unit. The middle of the range.
- New unit: needed when the insulated glass has failed and fogs between panes, the frame is cracked, an acrylic dome has gone brittle, or the curb has rotted. The most expensive option, though a new unit comes with its own flashing kit.
What pushes the price up
- Rotted curb framing or decking around the opening.
- Damaged drywall in the light shaft or ceiling.
- Steep, high or hard-to-reach roofs.
- Older, brittle shingles that crack when lifted and need replacing.
- Larger or venting units, especially motorized ones that need electrical work.
Make sure it is a leak
Skylights in Georgia homes often drip condensation on humid days or chilly mornings, which is a ventilation and glass issue, not a roof leak. Drips only during or right after rain point to a leak; drips on dry, cool mornings point to condensation.
Timing with a new roof
If the roof is within a few years of replacement, deal with the skylight then. Reflashing is part of any proper reroof, and replacing an older unit at the same time avoids paying to open that area twice. See replacing skylights with a new roof and common roof leak causes.