At a glance: Completed 2026-09-30: skylight reflash & decking repair on Laurel View Lane, Maryland Heights, MO 63043. Office: St. Louis, 314-429-6000.
Why this skylight leaked
Skylights almost never leak through the glass. They leak at the flashing, the metal pieces that carry water around the curb and back out onto the shingles. On Laurel View Lane, water was finding its way past the old flashing and into the house. Once that happens, caulking the outside edge only buys a few weeks, because the water is coming in underneath the shingles where caulk cannot reach.
The right fix is to take the shingles off around the skylight, look at what is under them, and rebuild the waterproofing in layers from the deck up. That is what the work order called for, and it is what the crew did.
Working with the Maryland Heights permit inspector
Maryland Heights requires a permit and inspection for this kind of roof work, and the inspector wants to see the decking while it is open. The crew scheduled around a 10 a.m. inspection so the deck around the skylight could be seen before anything was covered. If any wood was soft from the leak, it was replaced and shown to the inspector, and the final inspection was set for the afternoon.
Homeowners in 63043 sometimes do not realize their city checks this work. A contractor who skips the permit can leave you with a problem when you sell. We pull the permit, meet the inspector and keep the paperwork, so the repair is on record the right way.
Ice and water shield around the curb
Before the new flashing went on, the crew wrapped the base of the skylight with ice and water shield and ran a lip of the membrane up onto the curb. That self-sealing layer bonds to the deck and seals around every nail. If water ever gets past the metal, it hits a sealed surface instead of bare wood.
One full square roll covered the area around this skylight. That is a small material cost for the protection it adds, and it is the step most often skipped on a quick patch.
The VELUX EDL flashing kit
The skylight is a VELUX unit, so the crew used the matching VELUX EDL flashing kit sized for it. A manufacturer kit has the step flashing, head flashing and sill pieces cut to fit that frame. It is designed to shed water around the skylight in the order it runs downhill: sill first, steps up the sides, head flashing across the top.
Using the matching kit, rather than bending loose metal on site, gives the closest fit and keeps the skylight installed the way VELUX intends.
Matching the shingles
The roof is covered in Owens Corning Oakridge in Estate Gray, so one bundle of the same shingle was used to weave back around the new flashing. Matching the line and color keeps the repair from standing out from the street. Fresh shingles may look a touch darker for a season, then blend in as they weather.
Once the shingles were back, the edges were sealed with caulk where they meet the flashing, and the work area was cleaned up.
Roofer near me in Maryland Heights, 63043
If you are searching roofer near me in Maryland Heights because a skylight is dripping, you are only minutes from our headquarters on Prichard Farm Road in the same city. Our St. Louis crews handle skylight leaks across 63043, 63146 and 63141 every week. We look at the flashing first, show you photos, and tell you whether a reflash will do or whether the skylight itself needs to be replaced.
Call 314-429-6000 or 1-800-564-6232 any time, day or night.
Reflash or replace the skylight?
A reflash makes sense when the skylight glass is sound, the seal is not fogged and the frame is solid. That was the case here. If the glass is cracked, the unit is fogged between panes, or the frame is rotted, replacing the skylight with a new unit and kit is the better spend. We will tell you which one fits your roof and why, with photos from the inspection.
Signs your skylight flashing is failing
Watch for a brown ring on the drywall around the skylight well, peeling paint on the shaft walls, or drips that only show up during wind-driven rain. Inside the attic, darkened wood around the curb or rusty nail tips point to the same thing. Outside, lifted shingles at the sides of the skylight or old tar smeared over the metal tell you someone has already tried a surface patch.
On Laurel View Lane the homeowner noticed the leak early, which kept the damage to the decking small. Catching it at the first stain is the cheapest way to deal with a skylight.
What the city inspector looks for
During a decking inspection, the inspector checks that soft or rotted wood has been cut out, that new sheathing lands on framing and is nailed correctly, and that nothing is covered before it is seen. Having the deck open at the scheduled time keeps the job moving and avoids reopening finished work. Our crews plan the tear-off so the inspector sees exactly what was found and what was replaced.
Caring for the skylight after the repair
Keep leaves and pine needles cleared from the uphill side of the skylight, where debris dams water against the head flashing. After a big storm, glance up at the ceiling around the well. If the glass ever fogs between panes, that is a seal failure in the unit, not a roof leak, and it is a different repair. Our work is backed by a lifetime workmanship warranty, so if anything we installed lets water in, we come back.
What the crew did, step by step
- Picked up the VELUX flashing kit and shingles from the supplier.
- Tore off the shingles around the skylight.
- Opened the deck for the Maryland Heights permit inspector and replaced any bad decking.
- Installed ice and water shield around the skylight and lapped it up the base of the curb.
- Reflashed the skylight with a VELUX EDL kit.
- Wove in Owens Corning Oakridge Estate Gray shingles around the new flashing.
- Sealed the shingle edges with caulk and cleaned up the work area.
Questions homeowners in Maryland Heights ask about this repair
Why does my skylight leak when it rains hard?
Most skylight leaks come from worn or failed flashing around the curb, not the glass. Heavy or wind-driven rain pushes water under the old flashing.
Does Maryland Heights require a permit for roof repair?
For work like this, yes. We pulled the permit and met the inspector so the decking could be checked before it was covered.
Can you match Owens Corning Oakridge Estate Gray?
Yes. Estate Gray is a current Oakridge color, so we used the same shingle on this repair.
How long does a skylight reflash take?
Most are done in a single day, including cleanup. Permit inspections can add a short wait.
Do you repair skylights in 63043?
Yes. Our headquarters is in Maryland Heights. Call 314-429-6000.
Is caulk enough to stop a skylight leak?
Usually not for long. Caulk can seal an edge, but it cannot fix water running under the shingles. Reflashing is the lasting repair.