We sort out all kinds of skylight and roof window problems—leaks, draughts, cracked glass, broken seals, you name it. If your skylight’s not working right, water sneaks in and energy just slips away.

At Ark Roofing, we’ve fixed skylights and roof windows for homeowners all over the region. Our crew handles every major brand and window style, whether you’ve got a pitched roof window or a flat skylight. Honestly, there’s nothing more annoying than that drip-drip-drip from the ceiling when it rains.

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Let’s break down the most common skylight headaches we see—and how we actually fix them. You’ll get a sense of when a repair makes sense and when it’s smarter to go for a replacement. It’s all about helping you figure out what works for your house and your wallet.

Common Skylight Window Issues and Repairs Limerick

Skylight problems pop up in all sorts of ways, from obvious water stains to sneaky draughts that drive up your heating bill. We routinely tackle leak detection, failed flashing, condensation, and draughts that mess with comfort and even the structure of your home.

Identifying Leaks and Draughts

Leaks usually show up as water stains on ceilings or walls near the skylight. We look for drips during rain and check for dried water marks that hint at older leaks. If you spot dark patches or weird discoloration around the frame, water probably got past the seal.

Draughts are trickier. We run a candle or just feel for temperature swings around the skylight edges. If it’s colder in winter or weirdly warm in summer, the seal probably failed.

Leaks often come from busted flashing, worn seals, or cracked glass. We always check where the skylight meets the roof—most problems start right there. If you see condensation inside double-glazed panes, that’s a failed seal and moisture trapped between the glass.

Lead Flashing and Flashing Repair Approaches

Lead flashing keeps water from sneaking in between your Velux window and the roof. When it fails, water just pours right in. We check the lead for splits, corrosion, or spots where it’s pulled away from the frame or tiles.

Flashing problems we see a lot:

Lead that’s split or corroded
Gaps from poor installation
Shifting from building movement
Damaged step flashing on sloped roofs

We reseal small gaps with the right sealants or reshape the lead to fit snugly. If the damage is bigger, we swap out the flashing entirely. Patching up badly damaged flashing just doesn’t last.

To get at the full flashing system, we pull up the tiles around the skylight. Then we fit new lead, shaped exactly to your roof’s profile.

Resolving Condensation and Glass Replacement

Condensation happens when warm air inside hits cold glass. A bit of moisture on the inside of single-glazed units is pretty normal in winter. But if water pools at the bottom of the frame, there’s probably not enough ventilation or your humidity’s way up.

If you see condensation between glass panes, the unit’s seal has failed. You can’t fix this without replacing the whole glass unit. We check if the Velux frame is still solid or if the entire skylight needs swapping out.

Cracks, chips, or blown seals mean it’s time for new glass. We measure your window and order replacement glazing to match. New double or triple-glazed units insulate better and help prevent future condensation.

For smaller condensation issues, we’ll boost ventilation and make sure trickle vents are actually working. Sometimes, just adding an extractor fan in the bathroom or kitchen below does the trick.

Draught and Moisture Inspections

When we check for draughts, we go over every possible spot around the skylight. Gaskets, seals, opening mechanisms—especially on Velux windows—get a close look. Old rubber seals are behind most draughty roof windows.

We use thermal cameras to spot temperature changes that show where air’s leaking in. Even tiny gaps—ones you can’t see—show up in the images. Over time, these little draughts waste a lot of energy and money.

For moisture, we don’t just look for water stains. We use moisture meters on the timber frame around the skylight. High readings mean water’s been getting in, and that needs fixing fast. We also check the surrounding roof for any other damage that could affect the skylight.

Replacement and Maintained Performance of Roof and Skylight Windows

Roof windows last longer with proper care, but sometimes replacement just makes more sense. We help you pick the right products and sort out any issues with chimneys that might be messing with your roof.

Skylight and Roof Window Replacement Choices

If your skylight’s seen better days, we’ll help you find a replacement that fits your needs and budget. Old windows tend to leak, lose heat, or just get stuck.

We’ll figure out if a repair is enough or if it’s time to replace. Small stuff—like a broken seal or dodgy flashing—is usually fixable. But if the frame’s warped, the glass is cracked everywhere, or the opening mechanism is shot, replacement is usually cheaper in the long run.

Signs you probably need a new skylight:

Water stains on the ceiling below
Condensation between panes
Trouble opening or closing it
Visible cracks or frame damage
Draughts around the edges

We measure your opening and suggest products that fit. Modern roof windows are way better at insulating and are easier to use. We handle all kinds of installs, from flat roof skylights to pitched roof windows.

Major Brands: Velux and Other Roof Window Options

Velux windows are everywhere, and for good reason. They’re reliable and come with solid warranties.

We’ve fixed and installed plenty of Velux windows. They’ve got fancy glazing, built-in blinds, electric or manual options. If you need Velux repairs, we keep common parts in stock and can usually sort things quickly.

We also work with other brands. Some are cheaper, some do custom sizes, and some are better for unusual roof types.

Brand Type	Best For	Typical Use
Velux	Quality and reliability	Most residential projects
Budget brands	Cost savings	Simple replacements
Custom makers	Unusual sizes	Older or unique buildings

We’ll talk you through the pros and cons so you can decide what’s right for you.

Chimney and Surrounding Roof Repairs

Chimneys often cause headaches for roof windows nearby. We repair both the chimney and any damage it’s caused to your skylight.

Water runs down chimneys and can sneak under flashing where your roof window meets the roof. Cracked mortar, broken pots, and bad flashing all cause leaks. We check the whole area to find what’s really going on.

Chimney repairs might mean repointing brickwork, replacing flashing, or fixing the crown. We time these repairs with skylight work so everything stays watertight. Sometimes, the leak you thought was from your skylight is actually from the chimney next door.

Frequently Asked Questions

Skylights go wrong for a bunch of reasons—worn seals, weather, condensation between panes. Whether to repair or replace depends on the damage. Most repairs only take a few hours, but weather and the specific problem can change that.

How can I tell if my skylight needs repairing rather than replacing?

If you’ve got a small leak or a worn seal, we can probably repair it. Isolated problems in an otherwise good window are usually fixable.

But if you’re seeing a bunch of issues—cracked glass, warped frames, or if it’s older than 20 years—replacement is often the better call.

We’ll check your skylight and give you the straight story. Sometimes a basic repair saves you a lot compared to a full replacement.

What are the most common causes of skylight leaks during heavy rain?

Most leaks come from worn or damaged flashing around the skylight. Flashing seals the gap between skylight and roof, but it can crack or come loose.

Blocked drainage channels also make water pool around your skylight. Leaves, moss, and debris get in the way.

If the skylight wasn’t installed right to begin with, that can leave weak spots for water to sneak through. We check all these when we find a leak.

How long does a typical skylight repair usually take from start to finish?

Most repairs take two to four hours. Swapping out a seal or fixing a bit of flashing is quick.

If the job’s more complex—maybe multiple parts or tricky roof access—it could take a full day. And if it’s raining, we’ll need to wait for dry weather to seal things up right.

We’ll give you a time estimate after a look at your skylight. We work quickly but make sure it’s done to last.

Will repairing my skylight help reduce draughts and improve energy efficiency?

Fixing worn seals or damaged frames keeps cold air out. You’ll feel fewer draughts right away.

Better seals help keep warm air inside in winter, so your heating doesn’t have to work as hard.

We use quality materials that last. A properly sealed skylight cuts down on heat loss and can trim your energy bills.

Can you repair condensation or misting between skylight panes?

If you see misting between double-glazed panes, the seal’s blown and moisture got in. We can’t fix that—only replacing the glazing unit (or the whole skylight) works.

Once moisture’s in there, it won’t come out without making things worse.

We’ll help you pick the best, most budget-friendly fix. Sometimes just replacing the glass is a lot cheaper than a full skylight replacement.

Ready to sort out your skylight? Get a free roof inspection worth €200.

What should I do to protect my home if my skylight starts leaking suddenly?

First off, grab a bucket or any container you can find and stick it right under the leak—no time to waste there. Get any furniture, electronics, or stuff you care about out of the way fast.

Toss some towels down to soak up whatever water’s already made it through. If you can safely reach the skylight from outside, throw a tarp over it to slow down the water—just don’t risk it if the weather’s wild.

Honestly, your best move is to call us right away for an emergency repair. We jump on urgent leaks to help keep your ceiling, insulation, and everything else inside from getting worse.

Get a free roof inspection worth €200.