The 7-Point Skylight Checklist for Coverdale Homeowners
Work through these in order. Most problems fall into one of these buckets.
- Identify your skylight type
- Check the age and warranty
- Inspect the flashing and seal
- Look for interior warning signs
- Decide: repair or replace
- Get the right installer
- Plan for long term care
1. Identify Your Skylight Type
Not all skylights behave the same. Knowing what you have changes the repair path.
- Fixed skylights: sealed glass, no opening parts, lowest failure rate
- Vented (manual): open with a crank or pole, good for bathrooms and kitchens
- Vented (electric or solar): motorized, rain sensors, popular in newer Coverdale builds
- Tubular skylights: small domes that pipe light through a reflective tube
- Custom glass units: larger architectural installs, often on vaulted ceilings
If you cannot tell what you have, snap a photo of the interior frame and the exterior dome or glass. The brand stamp is usually on the inside of the frame near a hinge or corner. VELUX, Wasco, Sun-Tek, and Kennedy are the four we pull parts for most often in Coverdale.
2. Check the Age and Warranty
Skylight lifespan is shorter than your roof. Plan accordingly.
- Standard acrylic dome: 10 to 15 years
- Glass skylight with proper flashing: 20 to 25 years
- VELUX no leak glass units: up to 20 years warranty on the glass seal
- Rubber gaskets on vented units: often degrade around year 10
- Flashing kits: should always be replaced when the unit is replaced
If your skylight is older than your roof and you are planning a full roof replacement, replacing the skylight at the same time is almost always the smart call. Tearing into new shingles a year later to swap a failing unit costs more and voids portions of the roof warranty.
3. Inspect the Flashing and Seal
This is where 90% of leaks come from. The glass itself rarely fails.
- Step flashing along the sides, tucked under each shingle course
- Head flashing at the top, diverting water around the unit
- Apron flashing at the bottom
- Counter flashing or cladding that wraps the frame
- Sealant bead between the frame and glass pane
From the ground you cannot see most of this. A proper inspection means a ladder, a roof walk, and eyes on every corner. We offer free skylight and roof inspections across Coverdale so you are not guessing.
Common flashing mistakes we find on older Coverdale homes:
- Roofing tar smeared over the seams as a band aid fix
- Step flashing cut too short and stopping before the head
- Missing ice and water shield under the flashing in valley adjacent installs
- Shingles laid over the head flashing instead of tucked behind
- Mismatched flashing kits that do not match the skylight frame profile
4. Look for Interior Warning Signs
Before you climb anything, check inside. These are the red flags we hear about most in Coverdale:
- Brown or yellow staining on the drywall around the skylight shaft
- Peeling paint or bubbling on the interior trim
- Visible water droplets on the inside of the glass after a storm
- A musty smell in the room, especially upstairs bathrooms
- Cracked or separating caulk where the shaft meets the ceiling
- Ice buildup on the frame in January and February
Condensation is not always a leak. If the droplets only show up on cold mornings and disappear by noon, you likely have a ventilation issue rather than a failed seal. Our blog on roof ventilation problems walks through how to tell the difference.
A quick test: wipe the interior glass dry on a clear afternoon, then check it the next morning. If moisture returns without any overnight rain, the house is pushing warm humid air up to a cold pane. Running the bathroom fan longer, adding attic insulation around the shaft, or switching to an insulated glass unit usually solves it.
5. Decide: Repair or Replace
Quick decision matrix.
- Repair makes sense when the unit is under 10 years old, the glass seal is intact, and only the flashing or exterior sealant has failed
- Replace makes sense when the unit is 15 plus years old, the glass is fogged between panes, or you are already replacing the surrounding roof
- Remove and deck over is an option if the skylight is in a bad location (west facing bedroom that overheats) and you never liked it anyway
- Upgrade from a dome to a modern glass unit if you want better efficiency and UV blocking
6. Get the Right Installer
Skylight work sits at the intersection of carpentry, roofing, and sometimes electrical. The wrong crew causes more problems than they solve.
- Confirm they are a licensed roofing contractor, not a handyman
- Ask for the flashing kit brand and whether it matches the skylight brand
- Verify they carry general liability and workers comp
- Check for manufacturer credentials (Owens Corning Preferred, Malarkey Certified, VELUX installer)
- Read recent reviews from your area, not just the company website
Coverdale Roofing has been installing and repairing skylights in Coverdale since 2018, we hold a BBB A+ rating, and we warranty our workmanship separately from the manufacturer warranty on the unit itself.
7. Plan for Long-Term Care
A skylight is not a set and forget component. Build it into your seasonal routine.
- Clear leaves and debris from the top and sides every fall
- Check the gasket and sealant every spring
- Clean the glass inside and out twice a year
- Trim branches that drop seeds or sap onto the unit
- After any hail event, have the skylight inspected along with the rest of the roof
Typical Coverdale Skylight Costs
Ranges we quote on an average Coverdale project:
- Flashing and sealant repair: $300 to $800
- Gasket or lens replacement: $400 to $1,200
- Single skylight replacement (unit plus flashing kit plus labor): $1,500 to $3,500
- New skylight installation where none existed: $2,500 to $5,000
- Tubular skylight install: $1,000 to $2,200
Storm damage changes the math. Hail can crack domes and dent flashing in ways that qualify for insurance coverage alongside the rest of your roof claim.
Questions Coverdale Homeowners Ask Us Most
A few that come up on almost every estimate:
- Can I add a skylight to any room? Most rooms with attic space above, yes. Cathedral ceilings are easier. Rooms under an HVAC unit or major plumbing run are harder.
- How long does a replacement take? A single skylight swap with existing framing is usually a one day job. New cuts add a day for framing and drywall.
- Will it leak? A properly flashed unit with a matched kit should not. The leak rate on our installs over the last five years sits well under 1%.
- What about energy efficiency? Modern low-E glass with argon fill cuts heat gain by roughly 30 to 50% compared to older acrylic domes.
- Do I need a permit? In most Coverdale jurisdictions, yes, especially if framing is being modified. We pull it as part of the job.
Still on the fence? Start with a free inspection and a written quote. No pressure, no upsell, just a clear picture of what your skylight needs and when.
A Note on Brands and Warranties
Not all skylights are equal, and the warranty is where the difference shows. A quality unit from an established manufacturer comes with a meaningful warranty on the glass seal and the flashing components, and that warranty often depends on the unit being installed with the maker's own flashing kit by a qualified installer. Bargain skylights tend to carry thin warranties and fail sooner, especially the older acrylic dome style. When choosing a skylight for a Coverdale home, it is worth asking what the seal warranty covers, how long it runs, and what installation it requires to stay valid, because those details predict how the unit will hold up far better than the sticker price does.