Why Flashing Is Where Most Skylights Fail
Nine times out of ten, a skylight stain at the curb is a flashing problem. Flashing is the layered metal system that sheds water around the skylight: an apron at the bottom, step flashing up the sides woven into the shingles, a head flashing at the top, and underneath it all, ice and water shield sealed to the curb.
When any one of those layers is missing, rusted, reversed or replaced with caulk, water gets in. We see every version of it. Flashing repair means stripping back to the deck and rebuilding the layers in the right order.
The 5 Flashing Failures We Fix Most Often
- Missing head flashing, so water from above runs straight under the top of the unit.
- Rusted step flashing on 25+ year-old skylights.
- Caulk instead of flashing, especially on brick-abutting skylights.
- No ice and water shield under the flashing.
- Reused flashing after a re-roof.
Residential Flashing Repair
Asphalt Shingle Roofs
The most common roof in the GTA. Velux EDL kits or step flashing.
Metal Roofs
Velux EDW kits and custom-bent trim for standing seam.
Tile and Slate Roofs
Hand-formed flashing, often copper on heritage homes.
Skylights Against Brick Walls
Reglet counter-flashing cut into mortar joints.
Low-Slope Roofs
Curb-mount details and extended membrane underlayment.
Skylights Near Valleys
Crickets and extended flashing so valley water is diverted.
Chimneys Next to Skylights
Shared counter-flashing details done properly.
Commercial Flashing Repair
Curb-Mount Units on Membrane Roofs
Membrane re-tie and new metal cap flashing.
Retail Domes
Resealing and new cap flashing between replacement cycles.
Mixed-Use Buildings
Brick parapet skylights with reglet details.
Warehouses
Aluminum cap flashing over raised curbs.
Specialty Flashing Work
Copper Flashing
For slate and heritage roofs.
Brick Reglet Counter-Flashing
For party walls and chimneys.
Cricket Flashing
Above wide skylights to divert snow.
Factory Kit Upgrades
Replacing improvised flashing with a pre-engineered kit.
Flashing Materials
| Roof type | Flashing system |
|---|---|
| Asphalt shingle | Velux EDL kit or aluminum step flashing |
| Tile / profiled | Velux EDW kit |
| Low profile | Velux EDM kit |
| Slate / heritage | Hand-formed copper |
| Brick-abutting | Reglet counter-flashing |
| Membrane | Aluminum cap flashing over membrane tie-in |
All over Grace Ice & Water Shield, with Grace Vycor at corners.
Our Flashing Expertise
We photograph every flashing layer before it is covered, so you can see the work, not just trust it. Twenty years of re-flashing other people’s skylights taught us exactly where shortcuts happen.
What Actually Stops Homeowners From Re-Flashing
“Can’t you just seal the gap?”
In our opinion, sealant on flashing is a bandage. It cracks within a couple of Toronto winters.
“I’d rather replace the whole skylight.”
If the unit is sound, re-flashing costs a fraction and lasts as long.
“The roofer said it’s fine.”
If it stains after rain, it is not fine. We test it.
“It’s a weird roof.”
Brick walls, slate, metal. We hand-form for anything a kit does not fit.
Flashing Repair Timeline
Inspection
Same-day or next-day visit.
Quote
Kit or hand-formed, itemized.
Repair
Two to five hours.
Test
Hose test and photos.
Skylight Flashing Repair Cost in Toronto: What You Are Paying For
Removal of Old Flashing
Careful work around shingles.
Ice and Water Shield
Never skipped.
Flashing Kit or Metal
$185 to $385 for kits, more for copper.
Labour
Mostly roof time.
Brick Work
Reglet cutting and sealing.
Curb Repair
Only if rot is found.
Flashing Repair vs Leak Repair vs Replacement: Which Service You Need
Known flashing failure: this page. Unknown source: start with leak repair diagnostics. Old fogged unit with bad flashing: replacement.
Fixed, Venting or Solar: Choosing Your Skylight Type
Flashing repair keeps your current unit. If you are replacing anyway, consider upgrading to venting or solar.
Flashing Repair Timeline in Toronto: What to Expect Week-by-Week
Most flashing repairs are inspected and completed within the same week.
Why Homeowners Trust Our Flashing Work
Every layer photographed, every joint lapped the right way. We specd it the way the manufacturer intended.
