Skylight guides you can watch.
Short video walkthroughs of the skylight and solar tube basics every Austin homeowner should know. Each guide comes with plain-language steps and a clear line on when to call a pro.
What can you check yourself before calling a crew?
Solar tubes explained
A solar tube channels daylight into a dark room without cutting a full skylight opening.
Spotting skylight leaks
Most skylight leaks start at the flashing, not the glass, and you can catch early signs from inside.
Beating attic heat
A hot attic pushes cooling costs up through the ceiling below it, ventilation is where that starts.
Glazing and heat gain
Two numbers on a glazing spec sheet tell you almost everything about how a skylight will perform in Austin heat.
When should you stop and call a professional?
Six signs that the problem is past DIY. Turn the system off and pick up the phone, running a system with these issues turns cheap repairs into expensive replacements.
- Active water dripping or pooling under the skylight during rain
This means the flashing or seal has already failed. Water tracking into drywall and insulation gets more expensive the longer it runs.
- Cracked, shattered, or badly fogged glazing
Cracked glass can fail without warning, and heavy fog between panes usually means the seal is gone. Both need a professional look.
- Soft, spongy, or discolored drywall around the skylight shaft
This is a sign water has been getting in for a while, not a one-time event. The source needs to be found and fixed, not just painted over.
- Visible daylight or a draft around the frame from inside the attic
A gap at the frame lets in water as easily as light or air. This points to a flashing or seal problem at the roof.
- Flashing that looks lifted, rusted, or pulled away when viewed from the ground
Flashing is the main leak barrier on any skylight. Damaged flashing needs roof access to fix correctly, never a DIY patch.
- A skylight installed more than 15 to 20 years ago that has never been inspected
Seals and flashing wear out well before most homeowners expect. An inspection now is cheaper than a leak later.
Where can you read more?
ENERGY STAR Skylight Guidance
What to look for in efficient skylight glazing and how ratings apply to home cooling costs.
NFRCNFRC Window and Skylight Label Guide
How to read the U-factor, SHGC, and other numbers on a glazing spec label.
energy.govDepartment of Energy, Skylights
Basics on skylight types, placement, and energy performance, written for homeowners.
energy.govDepartment of Energy, Ventilation
How attic and whole-house ventilation work together to manage heat and moisture.
Still stuck? We can match you with a pro.
If the guide didn't solve it, the pro we match you with probably can. That pro quotes the job before any work starts.