Windows leaking (water)
#1
02-12-08, 11:56 PM
Windows leaking (water)
I'm currently house sitting for my parents as they took a short vacation. It snowed a little yesterday and is supposed to rain all day today.
I guess as the snow melted a leak sprung and the ceiling above a window and the window itself is streaming a pretty good supply of water. These are replacement windows my parents had installed by one of those "friend of a friend" sort of things, and things aren't turning out too well.
As it stands, the window is leaking as I post this. I've taped some towels against it but being as it's supposed to rain all day today, that can't be a good thing. I'm not exactly very handy but is there anything I can do to hold this over until I can get a professional to repair it?
Since it's raining and pretty cold here (New York City), I don't think I can do any caulking since I read on these forums that below 50 that's not going to work out too well.
I guess as the snow melted a leak sprung and the ceiling above a window and the window itself is streaming a pretty good supply of water. These are replacement windows my parents had installed by one of those "friend of a friend" sort of things, and things aren't turning out too well.
As it stands, the window is leaking as I post this. I've taped some towels against it but being as it's supposed to rain all day today, that can't be a good thing. I'm not exactly very handy but is there anything I can do to hold this over until I can get a professional to repair it?
Since it's raining and pretty cold here (New York City), I don't think I can do any caulking since I read on these forums that below 50 that's not going to work out too well.
#2
02-13-08, 03:29 AM
Considering the wx, you are probably doing all you can until it clears up. If the "friend" didn't properly caulk the exterior of the window, it certainly can allow snow and rain infiltration. The rain may run off, but snow melts slowly, and from the warmer side forcing it into cracks, so that may be your problem. After it clears up, check the caulking, and check the fit of the windows themselves. You didn't say whether they are casements, single or double hung, or fixed pane.
#3
02-13-08, 04:34 AM
Group Moderator
We would need a little more information, and maybe even some digital photos (upload to a web site, then paste the link to the photos here).
The type of siding, whether there is an overhang (soffit) on the house, the location of the window on the house, all can be clues as to what is happening.
When you say the "Ceiling above a window" that makes me think that it may be an ice dam near the gutter. Water is likely getting into the framing and is behind the building paper and the leak may or may not have anything to do with the way the window was installed. Spreading some ice melt on the roof, or winding some heat tape around a board, then laying the board on the ice would help it melt faster.
The type of siding, whether there is an overhang (soffit) on the house, the location of the window on the house, all can be clues as to what is happening.
When you say the "Ceiling above a window" that makes me think that it may be an ice dam near the gutter. Water is likely getting into the framing and is behind the building paper and the leak may or may not have anything to do with the way the window was installed. Spreading some ice melt on the roof, or winding some heat tape around a board, then laying the board on the ice would help it melt faster.
#4
02-13-08, 04:37 AM
To start, I think they are double hung windows? I'm not very handy so doing a google search they seem to be double hung. Two panes of glass, one can slide up one can slide down.
After having taken a quick look, i'm thinking the problem is much more severe than just a window leak. The ceiling above the window has the paint bulging with a steady stream of water leaking from it and hasn't stopped for several hours. Right above it is an incomplete patio/deck thing which has a melting layer of snow on it. I'm thinking that that's the source of the water and i'm not sure what to do about that. I shoveled off as much as I could but I don't see that helping too much for the rain that's still falling.
I only have one tarp and I covered the area of the deck directly above the window but I don't think that will help all too much.
After having taken a quick look, i'm thinking the problem is much more severe than just a window leak. The ceiling above the window has the paint bulging with a steady stream of water leaking from it and hasn't stopped for several hours. Right above it is an incomplete patio/deck thing which has a melting layer of snow on it. I'm thinking that that's the source of the water and i'm not sure what to do about that. I shoveled off as much as I could but I don't see that helping too much for the rain that's still falling.
I only have one tarp and I covered the area of the deck directly above the window but I don't think that will help all too much.
#5
02-13-08, 05:49 PM
Group Moderator
If work is underway above the window, then it almost certainly is because something has not been buttoned up against the weather. (deck ledger, ledger flashing or a patio door and trim... if there is one on the deck) above the leaking window. If any siding has been removed, that would be an obvious source for the leak.
