Auckland Wide · Free Consultation
Calls for skylight leak repair in West Auckland are among the most common roof calls we get during the wet months. The tricky part is that the stain on the ceiling is rarely directly below the entry point. Water can run along a rafter, sit in the insulation or track down the inside of the light shaft before it shows, so guesswork usually means paying for the same repair twice.
We approach skylight leaks methodically. We look at the stain pattern inside, then go up and inspect the head, sides and sill of the skylight, the flashing laps, the upstand, the surrounding roofing and any debris build-up on the upslope side. Where needed we water test sections one at a time to pinpoint exactly where it is getting in, rather than guessing and hoping.
Once we know the cause, we fix it properly, whether that means re-dressing flashing, replacing seals, rebuilding a rotten upstand or recommending a new unit. Sometimes the culprit is not the skylight at all but a cracked tile, lifted roofing screw or blocked valley nearby, in which case our general roof leak repair service takes care of it. For flashing-specific work, see skylight flashing and sealing.
No obligation. Tell us about your roofing project.
We trace the leak first, fix the cause second and repair the damage last.
We inspect inside and out, then run controlled water tests on one section of the skylight at a time, working from the sill upwards. It is a slow, careful process, but it shows exactly where water enters instead of relying on guesswork.
The upslope side of a skylight catches leaves, moss and silt. Over time that debris dams water against the head flashing until it backs up under the laps. We clear it, check the flashing, and re-form or replace it so water flows freely around the unit.
Side soakers and the apron at the sill can lift, corrode or be cut too short to cover the roofing ribs or tiles. We repair or replace them so each piece laps correctly and water is carried past the skylight onto the roof below.
Sometimes water passes between the glass and the frame rather than around the outside. Perished gaskets and failed glazing sealant are replaced, and we check that drainage channels inside the frame are clear so any water that does get in can escape.
Long-running leaks soften the timber upstand and nearby framing. We cut out rot, replace it with treated timber and rebuild the upstand before re-flashing, because new flashing fixed to soft, decaying timber will not stay put for long.
After the leak is fixed and the area has dried, we replace wet insulation and damaged plasterboard in the light shaft and ceiling. Leaving damp insulation in place encourages mould and reduces its thermal performance, so we do not skip this step.
Before calling it a leak, it helps to rule out condensation. If water appears on cold, still mornings, beads across the whole inside of the glass and drips back down the shaft, it is usually condensation from moist indoor air. If it only shows up during or after rain, especially wind-driven rain from the west, and stains appear at one corner or along one edge, that points to an actual leak.
Both can cause damage, and both are fixable, but the solutions are different. Leaks are solved on the roof with flashing, sealing and upstand repairs. Condensation is solved with better glazing, ventilation and sometimes extraction in the room below. We will tell you which you are dealing with and fix the right problem.
We trace water to the exact point of entry through inspection and controlled water testing, so the repair targets the real cause and you are not paying for fixes that miss the mark.
Sealant smeared over a joint might stop a drip for a season. We correct the underlying flashing, seal or upstand fault so the skylight stays dry through the following winters as well.
Not every leak near a skylight comes from the skylight. Because we are roofers, we also check nearby tiles, fixings, valleys and gutters, and fix whichever component is actually letting water in.
If water is actively coming in, we can make the area safe and temporarily weatherproof it while we plan a permanent repair, limiting further damage to ceilings, insulation and flooring.
We do not stop at the roof. Wet insulation, stained linings and damaged trims around the shaft are replaced once everything has dried, so your ceiling looks right again and stays healthy.
Our licensed and insured team stands behind every skylight leak repair with a workmanship guarantee, so if something is not right after the work is done, we come back to look at it.
We provide skylight leak repair across West Auckland, including Henderson, New Lynn, Te Atatū, Titirangi, Massey, Ranui, Glen Eden, and Kumeū.
If your suburb isn't listed, get in touch anyway — the list is a starting point, not a boundary. We work right across West Auckland and the wider Auckland region, so tell us where you are and what you need, and we'll confirm when we can get to you.
Answers to the questions West Auckland homeowners ask us most about skylight leak repair.
Wind-driven rain can be pushed sideways or uphill under flashing laps that cope fine in normal rain. It often points to side flashings that are too short, laps that are too shallow, or a head flashing that has lifted slightly. These are fixable once identified.
We would not recommend it. Sealant on top of flashing can trap water rather than shed it, and it often hides the real problem. Silicone also breaks down in UV. Flashing should work by overlapping and directing water, with sealant only as a secondary measure.
Fairly urgent. Even a slow drip saturates insulation and plasterboard, and in West Auckland's humidity, mould can follow. If water is coming in heavily or near light fittings, turn off the power to that circuit and call us as soon as possible.
That depends on your policy. Many insurers distinguish between sudden storm damage and gradual deterioration. We can provide a written report on the cause and the repairs needed, which is useful when you talk to your insurer.
Not usually. Most skylight leaks come from flashing, seals or debris build-up rather than the unit itself. Replacement is only worth considering if the frame is corroded, the glazing has failed or the skylight is an old design that cannot be properly sealed.
If water is coming in around your skylight, the sooner it is traced the less damage it does. Fill in the quote form with where the leak shows, when it appears and what type of roof you have, or call us on 09 888 0409 if water is actively coming in. We will find the source, explain what has failed and quote to fix it properly.
