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Cleaning Fixes Dirt, Not Failing Seals
Skylight cleaning removes dirt, pollen, tree sap and the hazy film that builds up on the glass. That's it.
If your skylight is leaking, fogging up between the panes, or letting in a draft, cleaning won't touch any of that. Those are seal failures or flashing problems, not dirt problems.
This comes up often. A homeowner calls thinking a good cleaning will stop water from dripping in during a storm, and we have to tell them the truth. It won't.
Here's what a cleaning does handle:
- Dust, pollen and dirt film on the outer glass
- Streaking from tree sap or bird droppings
- General buildup during heavy pollen seasons
- Water spots left after heavy rain
Any of those, a cleaning takes care of. If you want to know why the glass got that way in the first place, see why skylights get cloudy so fast.
Signs It's a Seal or Flashing Problem
Some problems look like dirt but aren't. These are the ones cleaning can't solve.
- Fog or condensation trapped between two panes of glass
- Active leaks during a storm
- Cracked seals or a warped frame
- A whistling sound around the frame when it's windy
Condensation between the panes is the clearest sign. If there's moisture trapped inside the glass, the seal has already failed. No amount of cleaning fixes that.
A skylight that whistles in the wind is the same story. That's usually a flashing or frame issue around the roofline, not grime on the glass.
Leaks are worth taking seriously, because water that gets past a skylight frame doesn't stay at the skylight. It can work its way into the roof deck and the ceiling below.
Any of those is a repair conversation, not a cleaning one. We'd rather tell you that upfront than clean your skylight and have the same complaint waiting a week later.
A Simple Way to Tell the Difference
Ask one question: does the cloudiness change when the outside glass gets cleaner?
Cloudiness on the outside surface that wipes away or improves with cleaning is dirt. Cloudiness trapped inside the glass, between two layers, that doesn't change no matter how clean the outside gets, is a seal problem.
A few things you can check before you book anything:
- Look at the haze from inside on a sunny day. Streaks and smudges on the surface point to dirt.
- Check after a rain. Water spots on the outside are dirt. Drips or stains on the ceiling around the frame are a leak.
- Listen on a windy day. A whistle around the frame points to flashing or the frame itself.
- Look for fog that moves or changes with the temperature. That's moisture between the panes.
On a cleaning visit, we also check the perimeter seals, rubber gaskets and surrounding flashing while we're up there. Every visit comes with before-and-after photos, so you'll see what we saw even if you weren't home.
If we spot a seal or flashing problem, we'll tell you straight instead of cleaning the glass and letting you think the issue is solved.
Looking for the service itself?
This guide covers the question. The Skylight Cleaning page covers what the visit includes and how to book it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my skylight just needs cleaning or actual repair?
Dirt wipes away or improves with cleaning, but a real problem doesn't change no matter how clean the glass gets. Streaking from sap, pollen film or water spots on the outer surface is a cleaning job. Fogging trapped between two panes, active leaks or a whistling sound in the wind points to a seal or flashing issue that cleaning alone won't solve.
Will cleaning fix a leaking skylight?
No, cleaning only removes dirt, pollen and sap film from the glass. If your skylight leaks, fogs between panes or lets in a draft, that's a seal or flashing problem, not a dirt problem. If we spot that during a visit, we'll tell you straight instead of cleaning it and letting you think the issue is solved.
What does fog between the panes mean?
It means the seal between the two layers of glass has failed and moisture got inside. Cleaning only reaches the outside surface, so it can't clear condensation trapped between the panes.
Why does my skylight whistle when it's windy?
A whistle around the frame is usually a flashing or frame issue along the roofline, not dirt on the glass. It's worth having someone look at it, because the same gap that lets air through can let water in.
Do you check the seals during a cleaning visit?
Yes. While we're up there, we check the perimeter seals, rubber gaskets and surrounding flashing to spot leak risks before water gets in. You get before-and-after photos of every visit.
Do I need to be home for a skylight cleaning?
No, you don't need to be home for a standard skylight cleaning. We take before-and-after photos of every visit, so you can see exactly what we did. You do need to be there for estimates involving gutter guards, replacement or repairs, since every roofline is different.
See Clearly Again
Pollen, sap and hard-water haze come off fast. Book a cleaning and we'll tell you straight if it's something more.
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