Commercial skylight leak repair, glazing replacement, and curb flashing restoration for Birmingham commercial buildings - office, retail, and mixed-use properties across Jefferson County. The work is planned around roof access, active building use, drainage, membrane condition, and the owner's timeline for repair, maintenance, or capital work.
Common Skylight Failure Modes on Birmingham Commercial Buildings
Curb flashing failure: The single most common skylight leak source on Birmingham commercial flat roofs. The curb flashing — the membrane that connects the roof field membrane to the skylight curb — deteriorates with age and thermal cycling. On buildings with older modified bitumen roof systems, the original curb flashing was often torch-applied bitumen that has become brittle. On TPO systems, the curb flashing is typically a TPO-welded detail that should outlast the roof field membrane but can fail at the corner welds. We repair curb flashings with the membrane material compatible with the existing roof system and to the manufacturer's required overlap and height specifications.
Glazing seal deterioration: Silicone or EPDM glazing seals between the skylight frame and the glazing unit dry out and crack over time, particularly in Alabama's UV-intense environment. Failed glazing seals allow water to enter the frame and run into the building. We clean and reseal failed glazing joints with a commercial-grade silicone rated for UV exposure and movement in Alabama's thermal range.
Frame corrosion: Older aluminum skylight frames on Birmingham buildings show corrosion at fastener penetrations and at the base of the frame where it contacts the curb. Corroded frames can allow water to wick through the frame material itself — a failure mode that does not respond to sealant repair and typically requires frame replacement. We assess frame condition and distinguish between repairable corrosion and structural frame failure.
Hail impact damage: Jefferson County hail events have produced stones large enough to crack polycarbonate skylight panels and to impact-stress tempered glass panels. A post-storm inspection includes a skylight glazing check for cracking, stress fractures, or impact marks that compromise the seal. Cracked polycarbonate is a straightforward panel replacement; cracked tempered glass requires coordinated replacement with the glazing contractor.
Skylight Repair Process
We inspect the full assembly from both above and below before recommending a repair scope. From the roof, we assess the curb flashing, frame condition, and glazing surface. From the interior, we assess the pattern of water entry — whether it is running down the frame (glazing seal or frame failure), appearing at the curb base (curb flashing failure), or dripping from the glazing unit itself (cracked or failed glazing).
For repairs that require glazing contractor involvement — panel replacement, frame replacement — we coordinate the scheduling and serve as the general contractor for the skylight repair. We handle the roofing scope; the glazing contractor handles the glazing scope; we close out the combined repair with a single completion document and a single warranty package. Birmingham building owners do not need to manage two separate contractors to repair a skylight.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Birmingham skylight is leaking at the curb or at the glazing?
The interior drip location is the first clue: if water appears at the ceiling directly around the skylight frame perimeter, it is typically a curb flashing failure. If water runs down the interior side of the glazing or drips from the center of the frame, it is typically a glazing seal or glazing failure. We confirm the diagnosis from the roof before recommending a repair scope — a misdiagnosis sends the wrong contractor to fix the wrong thing.
Can Birmingham skylight curb flashings be repaired without replacing the skylight?
Yes, in most cases. The skylight glazing and frame can remain in place while we remove and replace the curb flashing membrane. This is significantly less expensive than skylight replacement and is the correct repair when the frame and glazing are in serviceable condition. We replace the full curb flashing assembly — not just the visible deteriorated section — because a partial curb flashing repair typically fails at the transition within two years.
Do you repair skylights on occupied Birmingham commercial buildings?
Yes. Most of our skylight repair work is on occupied buildings. We coordinate with the building's facility manager on access, timing, and tenant notification. For work above occupied areas, we install drop protection below the skylight opening before beginning any rooftop work that involves opening the curb flashing assembly.
Does skylight repair affect the roof warranty on my Birmingham building?
Only if the repair uses materials that are incompatible with the existing warranty system. We use membrane materials compatible with the existing roof system and document the repair to the manufacturer's required specification. For buildings with active NDL warranties, we contact the manufacturer's warranty department before beginning curb flashing repairs to confirm the repair method will maintain warranty coverage.
