Skylight waterproofing & leak repair Cape Town covers roof lights, domes and roof windows, which are deliberate holes in a roof and therefore leak more often than the roof around them.
Half the reported skylight leaks are condensation rather than water ingress, so establishing which comes first. General junction work is under roof flashing repair, and services under Waterproofing Cape Town.
Send the area involved and photos of the surface as it stands. That is usually enough to price it.
Get a QuoteLeak or Condensation
| What you see | What it usually is |
|---|---|
| Water appears during rain | A genuine leak. Trace before anything is sealed. |
| Water appears on cold mornings, no rain | Condensation on the cold glass, running down and dripping off the frame. |
| Worse in winter, worse in a heated room | Condensation. Ventilation and glazing spec, not waterproofing. |
| Worse in a particular wind | A leak at the kerb or flashing, driven rain forced up the upstand. |
| Staining spreading from one corner | Usually a failed flashing on the uphill side. |
Where Skylights Actually Leak
- Too low a kerb. The upstand the unit sits on. Too low and driven rain gets over it.
- The uphill flashing. Water arriving from above concentrates here, and it is the first to fail.
- Perished seals. Gaskets and glazing seals hardening with UV over years.
- Flat installation. Domes fitted with insufficient fall so water sits around the frame.
- Membrane not dressed up. On a flat roof, membrane stopping at the kerb base rather than running up it.
- Debris damming above. Leaves collecting on the uphill side and holding water against the flashing.
Skylight Waterproofing & Leak Repair Cape Town Prices
| Job | Indicative range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing replacement | R250 – R600 per linear metre | Material and detailing. |
| Resealing around openings | R120 – R280 per linear metre | Sealant type. |
| Penetration or collar detailing | R650 – R1,800 each | Number and type. |
| Leak trace and inspection | R750 – R2,500 | Area, access and testing time. |
| Single-defect leak repair | R800 – R5,000 | Flashing, lap or penetration. |
| Torch-on membrane, single layer | R300 – R400 per m² | Flat and low-slope roofs. |
| Call-out and assessment | R450 – R950 | Often credited against the work. |
| Access equipment | R2,500 – R15,000 | Height, duration and permits. |
| Surface preparation | R20 – R100 per m² | Cleaning, crack filling, priming. |
These are indicative market ranges, not a quotation. They are compiled from published South African waterproofing and roofing pricing to give you a starting point for budgeting. They are not the rate card of any company on this platform.
Compare quotes on the system specified, the number of coats, what preparation is included and what the guarantee covers. A rate per square metre means nothing until you know what the rate covers.
Compare quotes on what is included, not on the total alone.
Request QuotesRepair or Replace
Perished seals and failed flashings on a sound unit are worth repairing. A polycarbonate dome that has gone brittle and yellow is at the end of its life, and re-sealing it buys a season at best.
Where a skylight has been leaking for years, check the surrounding structure before re-glazing. Long-term ingress at a kerb rots the timber it is fixed to, and a new unit on rotten framing leaks again.
Related Services
Frequently Asked Questions
My skylight drips but it is not raining. Is it leaking?
Probably not. Water appearing on cold mornings without rain is condensation on the cold glass running down and dripping off the frame. That is a ventilation and glazing issue, and sealing the outside will not change it.
Is it worth resealing an old dome skylight?
If the dome is still clear and flexible, yes. Once polycarbonate has yellowed and gone brittle it is at the end of its life, and resealing buys a season rather than fixing it.
Is this covered by insurance?
Insurers generally cover sudden damage rather than gradual failure. A system at the end of its life is normally treated as wear and tear, and storm damage is a separate question your policy wording decides.
How many quotes should I get?
Three or more, on the same written brief. Rates vary widely because scope varies widely, and a spread of quotes shows quickly which contractor has actually inspected the job.
How long does the work take?
A domestic-scale job is often two to four days including preparation and curing. Larger or multi-section work runs one to three weeks. Rain stops work entirely.
How long does waterproofing last?
A correctly installed torch-on system generally gives 10 to 15 years. Liquid acrylic runs shorter, often 5 to 8. Both assume outlets are kept clear and the surface is checked once a year.
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