One of the most frustrating sources of roof leaks is a penetration that just will not stop weeping, no matter how many times it has been sealed. Skylights, whirlybirds, vent pipes, air conditioning units, and exhaust fans all pass through the roof surface, and every one of them is a potential entry point for water. Dry panning is the trade solution to this persistent problem.

What Is Dry Panning?

Dry panning is a waterproofing method that creates a sealed tray or pan around a roof penetration. Instead of relying solely on sealants and flashing that can crack and fail over time, a dry pan physically collects any water that manages to get past the outer seal and channels it away from the roof cavity.

The term “dry panning” comes from the goal of the technique: keeping the area inside the roof cavity dry, even when the outer seal is not perfect.

Why Do Penetrations Leak?

Roof penetrations are vulnerable for several reasons. The point where any fitting passes through the roof surface is a break in what would otherwise be a continuous weatherproof layer. Sealants applied around these fittings expand and contract with temperature changes. Brisbane’s heat means this thermal movement is significant. Over time, sealants crack, pull away, or harden to the point where they no longer flex. Once a gap opens up, water finds it.

Older whirlybirds and skylights often have lead flashing or rubberised seals that have deteriorated. A skylight that was watertight when installed 20 years ago may now be the main source of a persistent roof leak.

What Penetrations Are Commonly Dry Panned?

Skylights and tube lights are among the most common jobs. The frame where the skylight meets the roof surface is a frequent leak point, particularly on tile roofs where the gap between tile and frame is wider.

Whirlybirds (roof ventilators) need their bases sealed properly. When the rubber collar around the base cracks or the flashing lifts, water runs directly into the roof cavity.

Vent pipes (plumbing vents that poke through the roof) are sealed with a collar fitting. When these age, they become a regular drip source.

Air conditioning units mounted on the roof are particularly problematic because the brackets that hold them in place create multiple penetration points, each of which can leak independently.

Exhaust fans that vent through the roof are another common source, especially in bathrooms and kitchens where steam creates additional moisture pressure.

How Is Dry Panning Installed?

The process involves removing tiles or sheeting around the penetration, assessing the extent of any water damage in the cavity, constructing the metal pan to the correct dimensions, fitting it so it integrates with the surrounding roof and directs any water away from the ceiling below, and then re-laying tiles or sheeting over the top with proper flashing at all edges.

The result is a self-managing system that does not rely on sealant alone to keep water out.

Is Dry Panning Worth It?

If you have had the same penetration resealed two or three times and it keeps leaking, dry panning is very likely the correct fix. Repeated sealant applications treat the symptom rather than the cause. A properly installed dry pan addresses the structural vulnerability and typically provides a lasting solution.

Get in touch today to organise an inspection and quote for dry panning services across Brisbane and Logan.