Need HELP>>Leaky Window (with Photos)
#1
04-16-11, 03:28 PM
Need HELP>>Leaky Window (with Photos)
I have noticed a leaky window in my living room and need some help. The water seems to be coming through where the window meets the wood casing. I had not noticed until I saw the leak that the caulking between the window and casing seems to be in pretty bad shape, but I figured that is not the source of the problem since by then, the water is already in...right??
Outside, I have vinyl siding. There is a J channel that goes up behind the piece of siding directly above the window. There is a window on the second floor above the leaky window, but there are no signs of leaks anywhere around that window at all...The only place I see water is where you see on the photos below...
Where should I start???
Outside, I have vinyl siding. There is a J channel that goes up behind the piece of siding directly above the window. There is a window on the second floor above the leaky window, but there are no signs of leaks anywhere around that window at all...The only place I see water is where you see on the photos below...
Where should I start???
#2
04-16-11, 05:15 PM
Is there wide sticky tape sealant around the window flanges, top, bottom and sides? If not (and I have had it happen to clients), the top window is leaking and it is running down behind the tyvek, picking up rust off the nails holding the siding up. We have to remove all the siding, flash all the windows properly and reinstall the siding.
#3
04-16-11, 06:36 PM
I dont know...your talking about some type of self adhesive waterproof membrane flashing, right? I assume I have to remove the siding around the window to check it. I plan on doing that tomorrow. Will I be able to buy the waterproof membrane/flashing at Lowes or HD or do I have to go to a building supply place? Anything special I should look for when I remove the siding? Anywhere special that I should caulk??
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
#4
04-16-11, 09:13 PM
Group Moderator
Caulk doesn't keep water out. if you have vinyl siding the water is probably coming in from above, getting behind the nailing flange. As Chandler mentioned, siding probably has to come off, and install window flashing tape over the nailing flange. Best method is to tape top window flange directly to the sheathing, and a flap of housewrap overlaps that.
#5
04-17-11, 04:06 AM
Yes, as I left out, too, make it in layers. Tape it so water will shed off itself and not catch in any seams. You may find the tape a little "unsticky" in cooler weather, but if you keep it in the house prior to installation it will soften up and become real sticky. It can be found in big boxes as well as lumber yards.
#6
04-17-11, 07:54 AM
Member
Window tape is started across the bottom of the window, then the sides and lastly the top.
If these were flat jam windows where they had to install J moulding around a flat frame then there was suppost to be a piece of Z moulding at the top of the window before the J moulding went on.
Look at the top outside corners of the J moulding to see if they cut a small tab so it could be bent over to stop water from coming behind the J moulding.
Those picture are nice but do nohting to show us how to fix the outside where it's leaking.
If these were flat jam windows where they had to install J moulding around a flat frame then there was suppost to be a piece of Z moulding at the top of the window before the J moulding went on.
Look at the top outside corners of the J moulding to see if they cut a small tab so it could be bent over to stop water from coming behind the J moulding.
Those picture are nice but do nohting to show us how to fix the outside where it's leaking.
