If your skylight is leaking in heavy rain, it can go from “nice feature” to “nightmare” pretty quickly. Drips, stains, and wet drywall around a skylight almost always mean water is getting in somewhere it shouldn’t.

The good news: skylight leaks are common, well-understood, and fixable.
The key is figuring out where the water is really coming from and whether you need a simple repair or a full replacement.

This guide walks you through:

  • How to tell if it’s truly a skylight leak
  • The most common causes
  • Safe temporary fixes until a roofer arrives
  • Long-term repair and replacement options
  • When to call for professional help

Step 1: Is It Really a Skylight Leak?

Before anything else, try to confirm whether the skylight itself is leaking or if water is just showing up around it.

Signs It’s Probably a Skylight Leak

  • Water drips from the edges of the skylight frame during or right after heavy rain.
  • You see water stains on the ceiling or drywall directly around the skylight well.
  • The drywall shaft (the “tunnel” between the roof and the interior ceiling) has peeling paint, bubbling, or soft spots.
  • You notice condensation inside the skylight glass, mixed with active dripping in storms.

Signs It Might Be a Roof Leak Near the Skylight

Sometimes the roof around the skylight is the real problem, not the skylight unit itself:

  • Stains appear a bit away from the skylight opening, not right at the frame.
  • Shingles above or beside the skylight look damaged, missing, or sagging.
  • The skylight only leaks in wind-driven rain, suggesting water is being pushed under shingles or flashing.

Whether it’s the skylight or the surrounding roof, you’ll want a leak-focused inspection. You can request one through the contact page (link to https://leakyroof.us/contact-2/) and mention that you’re dealing with a skylight leak in heavy rain.

Step 2: Stay Safe and Control Interior Damage

Any active leak, especially from above, can cause fast damage inside. Start by stabilizing the area.

  • Move furniture and belongings out from under the skylight.
  • Place a bucket or large container under any active drips.
  • Lay towels, rags, or a tarp on the floor to catch splashes and protect flooring.
  • If the ceiling drywall around the skylight is bulging, avoid standing underneath it; that can indicate trapped water.

If the leak is big or spreading quickly, treat it like an emergency and reach out for help via the contact page (link to https://leakyroof.us/contact-2/).

Step 3: Most Common Causes of a Skylight Leak

When you have a skylight leaking in heavy rain, one or more of these is usually to blame:

1. Failed Skylight Flashing

Flashing is the metal (or metal + underlayment system) that seals around the skylight where it meets the roof.

Problems include:

  • Flashing that was installed incorrectly
  • Metal that has rusted, bent, or pulled away from the skylight or shingles
  • Gaps where water can slide under instead of being directed around the skylight

A flashing issue is one of the most common causes of a skylight leak.

2. Old or Cracked Sealant

Over time, the sealant used around the skylight frame or glass can:

  • Dry out and crack
  • Separate from the frame
  • Develop tiny gaps that let water in during heavy rain

These gaps might not leak in light rain but will show up when storms really push water across the roof.

3. Roof Shingle Problems Around the Skylight

Sometimes the skylight is fine, but the roof around it is not:

  • Missing, curled, or broken shingles near the skylight
  • Nail pops or small gaps where water can slide under the shingle layer
  • Damaged underlayment around the skylight opening

In these cases, water travels under the roofing and then shows up as a skylight leak inside.

4. Clogged or Poorly Designed Crickets and Gutters

On some roofs, skylights are installed near:

  • Roof valleys
  • Crickets (small diverter structures)
  • Short gutters above the skylight

If these areas fill with debris or are not properly designed, they can funnel water toward the skylight, overwhelming the flashing and causing leaks in heavy rain.

5. Condensation and Ventilation Issues (Looks Like a Leak)

Not every “skylight leak” is from rainwater entering from outside. Sometimes:

  • Warm, moist indoor air rises and hits the cooler skylight glass.
  • Condensation forms and then runs down into the drywall and frame.
  • This can create stains and dampness that look like a leak.

Poor ventilation in bathrooms or kitchens with skylights can make this worse. A pro can help you tell the difference between true leaks and condensation issues.

Step 4: Temporary Fixes Until a Roofer Arrives

Temporary fixes won’t solve the underlying problem, but they can limit damage while you wait for professional roof leak repair.

Inside the Home

  • Keep buckets and towels under any drips.
  • Use a plastic sheet or drop cloth to protect furniture and floors.
  • If the drywall around the skylight is bulging, you may carefully poke a small hole in the lowest part of the bubble (with a bucket underneath) to let trapped water drain in a controlled way. Only do this if it feels safe and the area isn’t heavily cracked.

On the Roof (Only If It’s Safe and Dry)

Never go on the roof during heavy rain or storms. If conditions are dry and safe and the slope allows, some homeowners:

  • Place a temporary tarp over the skylight and surrounding roof area, secured in a way that avoids driving nails directly through shingles.
  • Use roofing tape or temporary sealant for very small, obvious gaps (like a visible crack in a metal flashing collar).

But remember: DIY roof work can be dangerous and easy to get wrong. In many cases, it’s better to wait for a roofer who handles skylight and roof leak repairs every day. You can see leak-focused services on the services page (link to https://leakyroof.us/services/).

Step 5: How Pros Diagnose a Skylight Leak

When you call a roofer for a skylight leak, they’ll usually take this approach:

  1. Interior inspection
    • Check the skylight well, ceiling, and walls for stain patterns.
    • Look in the attic (if accessible) around the skylight opening for wet insulation, stained decking, or active drips.
  2. Exterior roof inspection
    • Inspect shingles around the skylight for damage or improper cuts.
    • Check the flashing system to see if it’s installed correctly and still watertight.
    • Look for debris buildup or bad drainage above the skylight.
  3. Water path tracing
    • Follow water trails on wood or insulation.
    • Identify whether water is entering at the skylight itself or traveling from higher up on the roof.

From there, they’ll recommend repair or replacement, depending on the condition and age of the skylight.

You can use the locations page to see if your area is covered (link to https://leakyroof.us/locations/) and the contact page to set up a skylight leak inspection (link to https://leakyroof.us/contact-2/).

Step 6: Long-Term Repairs for a Skylight Leaking in Heavy Rain

The right long-term fix depends on what’s actually wrong. Some common solutions include:

1. Reflashing the Skylight

If the skylight unit is still in good shape but the flashing is failing, your roofer may:

  • Remove shingles and old flashing around the skylight.
  • Install new step flashing, head flashing, and apron flashing per manufacturer specs.
  • Re-shingle around the skylight and make sure all overlaps direct water away.

This targets the most common cause of a skylight leak and often extends the life of the existing skylight.

2. Repairing or Replacing the Skylight Unit

If the skylight itself is:

  • Very old
  • Cracked
  • Fogged between panes
  • Or has failed seals that keep leaking

your roofer may recommend replacing the skylight entirely.

A new skylight, properly flashed and installed, is often more cost-effective than chasing leaks on a failing old unit over and over.

3. Fixing Surrounding Roof Issues

If the main problem is shingles, underlayment, or drainage around the skylight, the repair might include:

  • Replacing damaged shingles near the skylight.
  • Repairing underlayment or roof deck.
  • Cleaning or redesigning small crickets or diverters to channel water properly.

This focuses on “upstream” issues that push water toward the skylight.

4. Addressing Condensation Problems

If your skylight issues are partly caused by condensation:

  • Improving ventilation in the room (bath fans, vents).
  • Adding insulation or air sealing around the skylight shaft.
  • In some cases, upgrading to a better insulated skylight.

A roofer may coordinate with an HVAC or insulation pro if the moisture is mostly from inside air.

Step 7: Documenting Skylight Leaks for Insurance

If your skylight leaking in heavy rain causes noticeable damage, it may be worth documenting in case of an insurance claim:

  • Take photos and videos of:
    • Active drips
    • Water stains around the skylight
    • Damaged drywall, flooring, or furniture
    • Any visible roof or skylight damage from the outside
  • Write down dates and times:
    • When the leak started
    • What the weather was like (heavy rain, high winds, hail)
  • Keep receipts:
    • Temporary tarping or emergency service
    • Skylight and roof repairs
    • Interior repairs (paint, drywall, flooring)

You can find more roof leak and damage-related guidance in other articles on the leakyroof.us blog (link to https://leakyroof.us/blog/).

Step 8: How to Prevent Future Skylight Leaks

Once the repair is done, a few habits can help keep your skylight dry and problem-free:

  • Schedule regular roof inspections, especially before and after storm seasons.
  • Have a pro periodically check skylight flashing and sealant.
  • Keep debris off the roof so water flows properly around the skylight.
  • Make sure nearby gutters and valleys are clear and draining well.
  • Watch for early warning signs:
    • Small stains on the skylight well
    • Tiny lines of moisture after heavy rain
    • New drafts or visible gaps in flashing

For more tips on leak prevention, attic leaks, and emergency roof leak response, check related topics on the leakyroof.us blog (link to https://leakyroof.us/blog/).

When Your Skylight Leaks in Heavy Rain, Don’t Ignore It

A skylight leak may start as a small drip, but over time it can:

  • Rot wood framing
  • Soak insulation
  • Damage drywall and paint
  • Lead to mold and structural issues

If your skylight is leaking in heavy rain, it’s time to act:

  • Protect the inside of your home.
  • Get the skylight and surrounding roof inspected.
  • Choose a permanent fix that addresses the real cause, not just the symptoms.

Use the locations page to see if we serve your area (https://leakyroof.us/locations/), review skylight and roof leak repair options on the services page (https://leakyroof.us/services/), and reach out through the contact page to schedule a skylight leak inspection and repair plan (https://leakyroof.us/contact-2/).

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