A skylight usually leaks from one of three places: the flashing around the curb on the roof, the seal between the glass and the frame, or condensation that forms inside and runs down the shaft. Only the first two are roof leaks. We figure out which one you have, fix that part, and show you the photos.
Skylights bring daylight into a room, but they also put a hole in the roof. When water shows up around one, most people assume the skylight is shot and needs replacing. Often it does not. The glass is fine and the problem is a few dollars of flashing or a dried-out seal.
Is it a leak or condensation?
This is the first question, because the fixes are completely different.
| What you see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Drips only during or after rain | Flashing or seal leak |
| Water on cold mornings with no rain | Condensation inside the shaft |
| Water spots at the top of the shaft | Flashing at the uphill side of the curb |
| Water between two panes of glass | Failed glass seal, the unit needs replacing |
| Stains around the whole frame | Old curb flashing or a failed frame seal |
Pine Bluff averages about 69% humidity through the year, so condensation is common on skylights over bathrooms and kitchens. Our answer on roof leak or condensation walks through how to tell.
Where skylights leak
Curb flashing
Most skylights sit on a raised curb. Flashing wraps that curb, with a solid piece at the top and step flashing along the sides. Older skylights were often installed with tar instead of a flashing kit, and that tar cracks within a few summers.
The frame seal
The rubber gasket between glass and frame dries out and shrinks in sun and heat. Water then gets in at the frame joints.
Debris on the uphill side
Pine needles and leaves pile up above a skylight and hold water against the flashing. On a low-pitched roof that water can back up under the shingles.
Cracked or broken glass
Hail can crack a skylight dome or pane. Jefferson County has 80 hail reports on file since 2005 (NOAA). If hail cracked it, see hail damage roof repair and consider an insurance claim.
How we fix a skylight leak
Find it
Attic check first, then the roof. A water test if the spot is not obvious.
Price it
A written price for the exact repair. You approve it before we start.
Fix it
We repair the spot that leaks and check the area around it.
Prove it
Before and after photos go to your phone.
For flashing leaks we remove the old tar or flashing, install a proper flashing kit or new step and head flashing, and weave it into the shingles. For seal problems we reseal the frame if the unit is sound. If the skylight itself is failing, we tell you and show photos so you can decide between repair, replacement or closing it off.
Text Jacob a photo of the skylight from inside. Same-day response in Pine Bluff, and a written price before any work starts.
Skylight leak repair cost in Pine Bluff
| Repair | Typical Central Arkansas range |
|---|---|
| Reflash or reseal a skylight (moderate repair) | $450 to $1,200 |
| Clean debris and reseal the uphill side | Quoted on site |
| Replace a failed skylight unit | Quoted on site, depends on size and model |
Ranges based on published Central Arkansas roofing cost guides (2025 and 2026). They are not quotes. Your written price comes after we look at your roof, and you approve it before any work starts.
Should I keep my skylight?
If your skylight is old, leaks around the frame and the glass is fogged between panes, replacement or removal may make more sense than repairs. Removing a skylight means framing the opening, adding decking and shingling it in. We lay out both options with prices so you can decide. For most leaks, though, new flashing solves it.
We repair skylights on homes across the area, including newer homes in Watson Chapel and Henslee Heights.
What to do while you wait
Put a towel or tray under the drip and move anything that could be damaged. Wipe the shaft dry and note where the water first appears: top edge, side, or a corner. That clue helps us find the leak faster. If it is condensation, running the bathroom fan or a dehumidifier will cut it down in a day or two. If water keeps coming during rain, text us a photo of the skylight from inside and outside if you can see it safely from the ground.
Skylight leaks and your ceiling
A slow skylight leak often soaks the drywall in the shaft and the insulation around the curb long before it drips into the room. After we stop the leak, we check for soft drywall and stains. If the shaft needs new drywall or paint, we include it in the written price or point you to our roof water damage repair service.
Skylight leak FAQ
Why does my skylight only leak in the winter?
Cold glass plus warm, humid room air makes condensation. If it drips on cold mornings without rain, it is probably condensation, not a roof leak.
Can you fix a skylight leak without replacing it?
Usually. Most skylight leaks are in the flashing or seal, not the glass. We replace the flashing or reseal the frame and keep your existing skylight.
What about water between the two panes?
That means the sealed glass unit failed. It will not leak into the house, but it will stay foggy. The fix is a new glass unit or a new skylight.
Can hail break a skylight?
Yes, especially plastic domes. Large hail can crack them. Take photos and check with your insurance company.
Is it worth removing an old skylight?
Sometimes. If the room does not need the light and the skylight keeps leaking, closing it off removes a weak point. We can price both options.