Skylight flashing

Skylight flashing is the set of metal or membrane pieces that bridge the gap between a skylight's curb (the raised frame the unit sits on) and the roof deck and shingles around it. Its job is to shed rainwater away from the opening. Because a roof slopes, water always moves downhill, so the flashing is layered so each piece overlaps the one below it, like shingles, and water passes over the seams instead of running into them.

The pieces are named by their position around the curb:

• Sill flashing runs along the bottom, downhill edge of the curb. It is the piece that catches water coming down the roof and directs it back onto the shingles below.
• Step flashing runs up the left and right sides. It is cut into short L-shaped segments that interlace with the shingle courses, so each course sheds water over the one beneath it.
• Head flashing runs across the top, uphill edge. It is installed under the shingles above, so it protects the upper seam from water that would otherwise be driven back under the roofing.

Flashing is made from aluminum, galvanized steel, or copper in metal form, or from self-adhered membrane in some installations. Whatever the material, the seal depends on the order of installation. Leaks at a skylight usually trace back to a flashing piece that was missing, cut short, or set on top of the shingles when it should have gone beneath them.

Flashing matters because the skylight glass and frame rarely fail on their own. Most water entry happens at the curb-to-roof joint, which is why a skylight can stain a ceiling even when the unit itself looks sound. In Citrus County, heavy summer rain and wind-driven storms put that joint under repeated stress, so the condition of the flashing is often the first thing a repair technician checks. Homeowners looking for a provider who handles this work can start with the skylight repair and leak providers listed in this directory.

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