But it doesn't LEAK! Replace that skylight anyway

Its a very common scenario. I will be estimating a roof and it might have one or more skylights on it. Years ago, if the customer hadn't experienced leaks around it, we would just tear off roof materials around the skylight and install ice and water shield and new materials back around it. However, once in a great while, the customer would experience a leak a few years down the road. Upon inspection, we would usually find that the skylight itself had failed, not the roof.

Typically, skylights carry a 10 or 20 year warranty. And roofs typically carry a warranty of more than 20 or 30 years. This means that when we are replacing a roof, its more than likely that the skylight warranty has long been expired.

However, if the skylight is not replaced, and it leaks a few years later, the finger gets pointed at the roof and the roofer. And it should be, because the roofers' job is to educate the customer on what's best for their roof.

Historically our new customers have had a love hate relationship with skylights. They love the natural light they let in, but detest the constant leaks they get. Many homeowners have convinced themselves that "every" skylights leaks and cannot be made watertight. Of course this in not true, but many people have just lost faith in "windows in the roof".

However, I can assure you, that there are reputable skylight manufactures as well as competent contractors to install them. And that is key. So if you are planning on a roof project in the near future and do have skylights on the roof, consider replacing them. Or at least be sure the contractor has a plan for what to do with them. This is good insurance against any problems that may happen in the future. And you can rest assured that the new windows in your roof will have as long of a life as the roof does!