Skylight Leaking When Raining in Cleveland – Expert Diagnosis and Permanent Repair

Most policies cover sudden, accidental damage like storm damage or fallen tree limbs that puncture your roof and cause skylight leaks. Gradual wear, poor maintenance, or installation defects are typically excluded. If hail cracks your skylight or wind tears off flashing, you likely have coverage. Document everything with photos and timestamps. Cleveland insurers scrutinize claims closely. Get a professional assessment that separates storm damage from pre-existing wear. Filing requires proof of proper maintenance. If the adjuster denies your claim based on age or neglect, appeal with contractor documentation showing the damage resulted from a covered event.

Repairs range widely based on the problem. Resealing costs less than replacing flashing, which costs less than full skylight replacement. Minor sealant work might run a few hundred dollars. Flashing replacement involving shingle removal and deck repair costs more. Full skylight replacement including labor and materials reaches into four figures. Cleveland contractors price based on roof pitch, skylight size, and accessibility. Flat roofs cost less to access than steep pitches. Winter repairs cost more due to weather delays. Get three written estimates. Avoid the lowest bid. Cheap repairs fail fast, and you pay twice.

Failed flashing causes most skylight leaks. Flashing creates a waterproof transition between your skylight and roof surface. Cleveland freeze-thaw cycles crack sealant and bend metal. Roofers who skip step flashing or use too few fasteners create immediate failure points. Improper integration with underlayment lets water track under shingles. Debris clogs weep holes designed to drain condensation. Settling homes shift skylight frames, opening gaps. Hail dents flashing and creates pockets where water pools. If your skylight is over fifteen years old and leaks during rain, flashing replacement solves the problem more reliably than repeated caulking.

No. Quality skylights installed correctly with proper flashing last decades without leaking. Cheap units and poor installation guarantee failure. Cleveland weather accelerates wear on substandard materials. Plastic domes crack under UV exposure and temperature swings. Inadequate flashing lets water penetrate immediately. Skylights on low-pitch roofs face higher leak risk because water drains slower. Regular maintenance extends lifespan. Clear debris from valleys. Inspect seals annually. Address small issues before they become water damage. If you choose a reputable manufacturer and hire experienced roofers who follow installation guidelines, your skylight should remain watertight for its entire service life.

Polyurethane sealants handle movement and temperature extremes better than silicone for skylight applications. Choose products rated for continuous water immersion and UV exposure. Sika, Geocel, and similar commercial-grade sealants outperform hardware store tubes. Cleveland temperature swings from sub-zero winters to humid summers demand flexible, durable formulations. EPDM-compatible sealants work best on rubber roofing. Avoid latex caulk. It cracks within months. Clean and dry all surfaces before application. Sealant only works as a temporary fix. If flashing has failed or the frame has shifted, sealant cannot create a permanent waterproof barrier. Address the root cause.

Quality skylights last twenty to thirty years with proper maintenance. Cheaper units fail in ten to fifteen years. Glass outlasts plastic domes. Metal flashing deteriorates faster than the skylight itself in Cleveland due to moisture and temperature cycling. Seals and gaskets need replacement every ten years. Condensation, UV exposure, and thermal expansion stress components. Flat roofs reduce skylight lifespan because water drains slower. If your skylight approaches twenty years old and shows condensation between panes, cracked seals, or discolored frames, plan for replacement. Waiting until catastrophic failure risks interior water damage that costs more than proactive replacement.