Skylight repair for leaking and fogged Portland skylights
Skylights bring welcome light into Portland homes through the gray months, but they are also a hole in the roof. Most skylight leaks come from the flashing around the curb, not the glass itself.
Skylight repair in Portland typically costs $345 to $2,260. Most leaks come from worn curb flashing, a failed seal between the frame and glass, or condensation that looks like a leak. We check whether the water is coming from outside or forming inside, then reflash the curb, replace the seal, swap a cracked dome or recommend replacing the unit if it is worn out. Call (503) 917-5484.
Skylights fail in a few predictable ways. The most common is the flashing where the skylight curb meets the roof. Older skylights were often installed with a simple metal pan and roofing cement instead of a step flashing kit, and that cement dries out after a few summers. Water then runs down the sides of the curb, into the light shaft and onto the ceiling below.
The second common problem is the unit itself. Insulated glass seals fail and the panes fog between layers. Acrylic domes on older bubble skylights turn yellow, craze and crack. Rubber gaskets around the glass harden and shrink, leaving gaps that let rain in at the top edge. Venting skylights add motors, screens and hinges that wear out too, and a vent left cracked open during a storm can look exactly like a roof leak.
The third issue is not a leak at all. In winter, warm moist air rising into a skylight shaft hits cold glass and condenses, then drips down the walls. Repairing a skylight starts with figuring out which of these is happening, because the fix for each is completely different. Reflashing a skylight that is only sweating won't help, and adding a bathroom fan won't stop water running down a failed curb.
Repair options for different skylight problems
Here is how common skylight problems are usually solved.
Curb reflashing
The most common repair. New step flashing, head and apron flashing and underlayment around the existing skylight curb stop leaks at the roof joint, as long as the skylight itself is in good shape.
Gasket and seal replacement
Hardened or shrunken gaskets around the glass are replaced to close gaps at the frame. It is a quick, low-cost fix when the glass and flashing are still sound.
Dome or glass replacement
Cracked acrylic domes and some fogged glass panels can be replaced on the existing frame. This works for curb-mounted units where replacement glazing is available.
Full skylight replacement
When the unit is old, the curb is rotted or several parts have failed, replacing it with a new Velux or similar unit and flashing kit is the more durable choice.
How to tell what is wrong with your skylight
The pattern of water and damage tells us a lot about where a skylight problem starts.
Stains at the corners of the shaft
Water marks starting at the top corners of the light well usually point to failed curb flashing, especially on the uphill side where debris collects and water backs up against the frame.
Drips only on cold mornings
Water that appears on cold, dry mornings rather than during rain is usually condensation. That calls for better ventilation and glazing, not roof repair.
Fog between the glass panes
Cloudiness you cannot wipe away means the insulated glass seal has failed. The unit still keeps rain out, but efficiency drops and the view never clears.
Yellowed or crazed plastic dome
Older acrylic domes break down under UV and become brittle. Fine cracks let water in and the dome can shatter from a falling branch or heavy ice.
Moss and needles around the curb
Debris piling on the uphill side of the skylight holds water against the flashing. On Portland roofs this is often the starting point of a slow leak.
Peeling paint in the light well
Bubbling or peeling paint on the shaft walls shows moisture getting into the drywall, either from a slow leak or ongoing condensation that has never been addressed.
How we diagnose and repair a skylight
Check inside and outside
We look at the light shaft for the pattern of staining, then go up to the roof to inspect the curb, flashing, glass and gaskets. Moisture readings help tell a leak from condensation.
Clear debris and moss
Needles, leaves and moss around the curb are removed so we can see the flashing clearly. Sometimes clearing a clogged uphill side alone stops a leak caused by water backing up.
Reflash the curb properly
When flashing is the cause, we remove shingles around the skylight, strip old cement and install new step flashing, a head flashing above and an apron below, with ice and water shield underneath.
Replace seals, gaskets or glass
Hardened gaskets are replaced. Cracked acrylic domes can be swapped on many curb-mounted units, and some fogged insulated glass panels can be replaced without changing the whole frame.
Address condensation at the source
If the problem is condensation, we look at attic ventilation, insulation around the shaft and household humidity, and explain options such as a better insulated unit or a vented skylight.
Recommend replacement if needed
When a skylight is old, failing in several ways or has a rotted curb, replacing it is often smarter than repairing it. We explain the difference in cost and lifespan honestly.
Materials for skylight repair come from manufacturers such as Malarkey, GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Carlisle and Velux, chosen for the job rather than the logo.
What skylight repair costs in Portland in 2026
Most skylight repairs land in these ranges. The type of skylight and the condition of the curb drive the price.
| Work | Typical Portland range |
|---|---|
| Clean, inspect and reseal skylightper skylight | $345 to $615 |
| Gasket replacementper skylight | $285 to $565 |
| Curb reflashingper skylight | $785 to $1,540 |
| Acrylic dome replacementper skylight | $565 to $1,135 |
| Curb rebuild with reflashingper skylight | $1,285 to $2,260 |
Consider these typical figures for the metro, not a quote. Your real price follows an on-roof look at the skylight and a written estimate.
What moves the price:
- Skylight size and type
- Condition of the curb framing
- Availability of replacement glazing
- Roof pitch and access
- Interior drywall repair needed
Why Portland skylights leak and fog so often
Skylights are popular in Portland for good reason: the long cloudy season makes natural light valuable. Many were added to older homes in Sellwood-Moreland, Richmond and Arbor Lodge during kitchen and bath remodels in the 1980s and 1990s, often with curb flashing that relied heavily on sealant. Decades of Portland rain have worn many of those installations to the point of leaking.
Tree debris adds to the problem. In neighborhoods with tall Douglas firs and maples, like Multnomah Village and Hillsdale, needles pile up on the uphill side of skylights and hold water against the curb for weeks. Condensation is the other Portland issue: our cool, damp winters mean skylights over bathrooms and kitchens often drip from interior moisture, not rain, and that gets mistaken for a roof leak.
Why the right diagnosis matters with skylights
Leak or condensation, sorted first
Telling condensation from a real leak avoids paying for roof work that will not help. We check both before recommending a fix.
Flashing built to shed water
We install step, head and apron flashing around the curb rather than relying on sealant, so the repair holds through Portland's long wet season.
Honest repair or replace advice
If an old skylight is failing in several ways, we tell you plainly that replacement may cost less over time than repeated repairs.
Skylight Repair questions from Portland homeowners
Why does my Portland skylight drip when it is not raining?
That is almost always condensation. Warm, moist air from inside the house rises into the skylight shaft and condenses on cold glass, then drips. Bathroom and kitchen skylights are the most common culprits. Improving ventilation, adding insulation around the shaft or upgrading to better glazing usually solves it.
Can a leaking skylight be repaired without replacing it?
Often, yes. Most skylight leaks come from the flashing around the curb, and reflashing a sound skylight stops the leak. If the frame is rotted, the glass seal has failed or the unit is very old, replacing it may make more sense. We explain which applies after inspecting it.
How long do skylights last on Portland roofs?
Quality skylights often last 20 to 25 years, though seals, gaskets and flashing may need attention sooner. Older acrylic bubble skylights break down faster. If your roof is being replaced and the skylight is over 15 years old, replacing both together is usually the efficient choice.
Can fogged skylight glass be fixed in Portland?
Fogging between panes means the insulated glass seal has failed. Some skylight models allow the glass panel to be replaced alone; others require a new unit. Fogging does not mean the skylight leaks rain, but it lowers efficiency. We check the model to see which option fits.
Should I remove a skylight that keeps leaking?
Some homeowners choose to remove a problem skylight and roof over the opening, especially when the light is not missed. It removes the leak point entirely. If you like the light, a properly flashed new skylight is just as reliable. We can explain both options.
Where we do this work most
We cover the whole metro. These are the places we are on roofs most often:
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Need skylight repair in Portland?
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