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Started By
Message
Window Leak. Need repair advice.
Posted on 9/14/21 at 9:31 pm
Posted on 9/14/21 at 9:31 pm
I just painted around the windows in the guest bedroom. I believe they have had a leak in this room before we bought the house. Some of the knockdown fell off when I was taping out the ceiling for paining. It was near the drywall ceiling joint, adjacent to the leaking window.
I went check the window because I thought there could be some issues there. I see bubbling under the new paint in one spot. I peel paint and drywall is wet. Spot is about 4 inches in length halfway down window near joint. Caulk is even soft.
I think there may be issues with the outside window sealant. No other portions of drywall were wet and its not pouring inZ just damp. No other signs.
Plan of action is to find some exterior window sealant and caulk around the exterior.
I don't think mold will be an issue and it isn't routinely wet. I do not sense mold anywhere but thats assuming prior issues were repaired and original installation correct.
Anything else I may be missing? When do I say screw it and tear out/replace the window? I don't think the drywall will require cutting. It sees routine sunlight and isn't soaked.
I went check the window because I thought there could be some issues there. I see bubbling under the new paint in one spot. I peel paint and drywall is wet. Spot is about 4 inches in length halfway down window near joint. Caulk is even soft.
I think there may be issues with the outside window sealant. No other portions of drywall were wet and its not pouring inZ just damp. No other signs.
Plan of action is to find some exterior window sealant and caulk around the exterior.
I don't think mold will be an issue and it isn't routinely wet. I do not sense mold anywhere but thats assuming prior issues were repaired and original installation correct.
Anything else I may be missing? When do I say screw it and tear out/replace the window? I don't think the drywall will require cutting. It sees routine sunlight and isn't soaked.
This post was edited on 9/14/21 at 9:32 pm
2
Posted on 9/14/21 at 10:01 pm to DiamondDog
The entire window has a leak. The baseboard is wet. There is moisture under the sill. I suppose a Contractor will need to come out, replace the window and inspect drywall for mold. Hell, man.
This post was edited on 9/14/21 at 10:14 pm
Posted on 9/15/21 at 2:49 pm to DiamondDog
Go buy a moisture meter from HD/Lowes. You can also rent FLIR cameras if so inclined.
Despite common belief, sealant/caulk on the EXTERIOR of a window should NOT be what "seals" the window. The entire assembly should be constructed in a manner to drain to the outside.
ETA:
Check the weep holes along the exterior bottom edge of the window frame. Make sure they have not been sealed shut. This allows any water that gets into the frame to drain to the outside.
I would go ahead and pull off the interior trim and sill from the window opening. This will aid in drying and let you have a better look at possible causes.
Despite common belief, sealant/caulk on the EXTERIOR of a window should NOT be what "seals" the window. The entire assembly should be constructed in a manner to drain to the outside.
ETA:
Check the weep holes along the exterior bottom edge of the window frame. Make sure they have not been sealed shut. This allows any water that gets into the frame to drain to the outside.
I would go ahead and pull off the interior trim and sill from the window opening. This will aid in drying and let you have a better look at possible causes.
This post was edited on 9/15/21 at 2:53 pm
Posted on 9/15/21 at 3:16 pm to DiamondDog
That sucks. Are these replacement windows?
Posted on 9/15/21 at 4:30 pm to GeauxldMember
quote:
That sucks. Are these replacement windows?
Same question I was going to ask, along with, are these old style wood sash windows.
I know about those old windows since I have 31 of them in my house in N.O. and every once in a while one of the sash weights will fall inside the frame when the sash cord eventually breaks.
When that happens, it can sometimes alter the fall on the outside sill and allow water to come inside the house because the pitch is now toward the inside and not away from the window like it should be.
More info as to what type window will help.
Posted on 9/15/21 at 4:51 pm to gumbo2176
I have old windows in nola. What did you do to fix this?
I was about to endeavor on caulking the bottom portion of my windows to prevent wind driven rain.
I was about to endeavor on caulking the bottom portion of my windows to prevent wind driven rain.
Posted on 9/15/21 at 5:25 pm to dragginass
quote:
Check the weep holes along the exterior bottom edge of the window frame. Make sure they have not been sealed shut.
Great. I thought that might be a place I caulk. Now I have to go rip all that out.
Posted on 9/15/21 at 5:28 pm to DiamondDog
I think there is a weep hole in the brick near the foundation outside the door. I don't have great drainage against the house right now. I bet that water is backing up against that weep hole and betting behind the brick.
Posted on 9/15/21 at 5:38 pm to lighter345
quote:
I have old windows in nola. What did you do to fix this?
I removed the weatherboard directly under the window sill and used a wood dowel and a hammer to get the window sill back to the slope it was intended to have and secured it with screws to other framing members.
Then I took out the access plates and the trim on the inside of the house to take the window sashes out and replace the sash cords and tied on the old weights so the windows would function like they should.
Then it was a matter of putting things back together.
Tip: Use a utility knife to score the trim that holds the sashes in the frame where it meets and the access plate so it separates as cleanly as possible to not have to do an entire paint job on the window. If done carefully----and painted white-----you can usually get away without having to repaint the window casing and frame.
Posted on 9/15/21 at 5:51 pm to GeauxldMember
No. These are new construction windows.
Posted on 9/15/21 at 8:07 pm to DiamondDog
It's usually an issue with the flashing along the top of the window.
Posted on 9/16/21 at 11:03 am to DiamondDog
Are you sure it’s even the window that’s leaking? It might be a good idea to get into the attic and just confirm this isn’t an issue above that decided to take that path before manifesting.
If it is the window, chances are it’s the flashing. Not sure when they were installed or how they were flashed, but I can say that probably 9/10 windows I see, even in new construction, are improperly flashed. I’m a firm believer in redundant flashing (flashing the inside of the R/O as a back up in case of water intrusion, installing the flanged window with sealant behind the head flange and sides, then flashing the window externally, including rigid head flashing), but it’s rarely done because it’s expensive.
Might be a good idea to read up on proper window flashing methods, so that if you end up replacing the window during the repair, you can verify the guy you hired is doing it right.
Also, I would avoid replacement windows unless you have absolutely no other option. When you’re depending only on sealant to keep water out of your home, you’re playing with fire.
Hopefully you caught it early enough to avoid anything major. Good luck!
If it is the window, chances are it’s the flashing. Not sure when they were installed or how they were flashed, but I can say that probably 9/10 windows I see, even in new construction, are improperly flashed. I’m a firm believer in redundant flashing (flashing the inside of the R/O as a back up in case of water intrusion, installing the flanged window with sealant behind the head flange and sides, then flashing the window externally, including rigid head flashing), but it’s rarely done because it’s expensive.
Might be a good idea to read up on proper window flashing methods, so that if you end up replacing the window during the repair, you can verify the guy you hired is doing it right.
Also, I would avoid replacement windows unless you have absolutely no other option. When you’re depending only on sealant to keep water out of your home, you’re playing with fire.
Hopefully you caught it early enough to avoid anything major. Good luck!
Posted on 9/16/21 at 12:48 pm to GeauxldMember
I am not seeing consistent water spots down the wall or ceiling. Its intermittent. Bottom of window and on the left side. Could be the flashing that's a problem but I'm almost positive it's not the roof.
I'm still having a handyman come out and take a look to advise of the repairs. He is licensed and bonded. I went out there trying to caulk the windows but I have no idea what needs to be done. Probably did it wrong.
Hopefully these guys will fix it and figure it out.
I'm still having a handyman come out and take a look to advise of the repairs. He is licensed and bonded. I went out there trying to caulk the windows but I have no idea what needs to be done. Probably did it wrong.
Hopefully these guys will fix it and figure it out.
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