A broken skylight can let in rain, wind, and cold air fast — especially with New Zealand's unpredictable weather. The good news is you can apply a solid temporary seal from inside the house without climbing onto the roof, keeping your home dry and safe until a qualified glazier can carry out a permanent repair.
Safety First
Before you do anything, assess the situation carefully. If the skylight is shattered and glass fragments are present, wear heavy-duty gloves and safety glasses before touching anything. Never stand directly beneath a skylight with broken glass overhead — use a long-handled tool to clear loose shards from the frame if needed. If the damage is severe or the skylight frame itself is compromised, keep the area cordoned off and call a professional straight away.
For work at height — even on a ladder inside the house — follow safe ladder practices. WorkSafe NZ has clear guidance on ladder safety that's worth a quick read before you start.
What You'll Need
Gather these materials before you begin:
- Heavy-duty polyethylene plastic sheeting (at least 200 micron) or a purpose-made tarpaulin
- Duct tape or self-adhesive flashing tape (butyl-based is best)
- Timber battens (25 × 50 mm offcuts work well) and screws, if needed to hold sheeting in place
- A utility knife and scissors
- A broom or soft brush to clear debris
- A bucket to catch any water already dripping through
- Rubber gloves and safety glasses
You'll find polyethylene sheeting, duct tape, and timber offcuts at Bunnings or Mitre 10.
Step-by-Step: Sealing from Inside
1. Clear the Area and Protect the Room
Place a bucket or towels under the skylight to catch water. Lay down a drop sheet to protect your floor or ceiling lining from falling debris.
2. Remove Loose Glass Carefully
Using gloved hands or a long-handled brush, carefully remove any loose glass fragments from the frame. Place them in a cardboard box or wrapped in newspaper — never in a plastic bag alone, as shards can cut through. Dispose of glass safely.
3. Dry the Frame
Use a dry cloth to wipe down the inside of the skylight frame as best you can. Tape and sheeting won't adhere well to wet or dusty surfaces, so this step matters.
4. Cut Your Sheeting to Size
Cut your polyethylene sheeting so it overlaps the skylight frame by at least 100–150 mm on all sides. A generous overlap is important — you want the seal to hold through wind and rain, not just light drizzle.
5. Apply Flashing Tape or Duct Tape to the Frame
Run a strip of self-adhesive flashing tape (butyl or bitumen-backed) around the inside perimeter of the skylight frame. This creates a better seal than duct tape alone and is more water-resistant. Products from Sika or similar brands are available at hardware stores.
6. Press the Sheeting into Place
Press the sheeting firmly onto the taped frame, working from one side to the other to avoid trapping air bubbles. Smooth it down firmly so there are no gaps.
7. Secure with Battens (Recommended)
For a more robust temporary fix — especially if wind is a concern — screw or nail thin timber battens over the edges of the sheeting into the surrounding ceiling framing or skylight frame. This prevents the sheeting from peeling away in strong winds. Be careful not to screw into electrical wiring; if you're unsure what's in the ceiling cavity, stick to tape only.
8. Check from Outside if Safe to Do So
If you can safely view the skylight from outside (e.g., from a window or ground level), check that the sheeting isn't billowing or lifting. If it is, add more tape or battens from inside.
What to Avoid
| Don't do this | Why |
|---|---|
| Use standard cling film or thin plastic | It tears easily in wind and rain |
| Apply tape to wet or dirty surfaces | It won't bond and will fail quickly |
| Climb onto the roof without proper equipment | Serious fall risk — leave roof work to professionals |
| Leave the temporary fix for more than a few days | Water ingress can damage ceiling linings, insulation, and framing |
| Ignore signs of structural damage to the frame | A compromised frame needs professional assessment |
Protecting Your Ceiling and Insulation
If water has already come through, check your ceiling lining for sagging or water staining. Wet insulation loses its effectiveness and can promote mould growth — a concern under the Healthy Homes Standards for rental properties. If you suspect significant water damage, it's worth getting a professional assessment sooner rather than later. BRANZ has useful information on moisture and building performance.
When to Call a Professional
A temporary seal is exactly that — temporary. You should contact a qualified glazier as soon as possible for a permanent repair or replacement. Call a professional immediately if:
- The skylight frame is cracked, bent, or structurally damaged
- The skylight is part of a larger roof system and you suspect flashing damage
- Water has penetrated into ceiling cavities or wall framing
- The skylight is in a hard-to-reach location requiring roof access
- You're unsure about the type of glazing (some skylights use laminated or double-glazed units that require specialist replacement)
Replacement skylights and glazing work may require a building consent depending on the scope of work. Schedule 1 of the Building Act lists some exemptions, but always confirm with your local council before proceeding. See MBIE Building Performance for guidance on consent requirements.
You can find qualified local glaziers on tradedirectory.co.nz to get the job done properly and safely.
Window & Glass Association
