Water sheets down windows, rotting sills, etc.
#1
07-24-16, 11:58 AM
Water sheets down windows, rotting sills, etc.
Hello All... first posting here. We have a problem with water that sheets down a couple of windows during heavy rains. This is a very old (1924) house that we just bought. Previous owners apparently neglected getting water away from the house, and as a result, we have some rotting sills, and probably some rotting wood in a wall. The house is Mediterranean style, stucco, with a large flat roof, and a very small (about 4X6) roof over a bathroom wall. I just took care of the large roof by installing large collector boxes with large downspouts that carry water through a buried pipe into an alley. This works great and easily removes the bulk of water away from the house. Our problem now is with the small roof. There is no gutter, and very little drip edge, if any (see pics). There are small drip edges directly over the windows, but apparently during a heavy rain, the water wraps around these and sheets directly down into the old wood windows. What would be a recommended fix for this? I suppose I could install a drip edge under the asphalt of the small roof. But what about those "drip edges" directly over the windows? Do they do anything? And will the "lumpy" stucco finish collect rainwater and negate a drip edge I install on the roof? Thank you in advance for any advice you can offer
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#2
07-24-16, 12:02 PM
Group Moderator
Everything looks correct aside from there being no gutters, so I would look into getting some. There are also storm window hooks on top but no storm windows, so you could look into that.
Drip edge is just a flashing, it's not a canopy so don't expect it to do things it's not designed to do.
Drip edge is just a flashing, it's not a canopy so don't expect it to do things it's not designed to do.
#3
07-24-16, 12:20 PM
Member
You didn't include photos of the sills....are they sloped slightly down away from the sash so water that hits them will drain off? And the underside of the sill should have a kerf in it so water that follows the sill around will drip off rather than seep back into the wall.
I've seen a lot of windows where the sills slope toward the window, either due to improper installation or due to settling over time.
Obviously it would be better if huge volumes of water weren't pouring against this area, but if the sills are sloped and properly painted, they should shed normal rain without damage.
I've seen a lot of windows where the sills slope toward the window, either due to improper installation or due to settling over time.
Obviously it would be better if huge volumes of water weren't pouring against this area, but if the sills are sloped and properly painted, they should shed normal rain without damage.
#4
07-24-16, 02:33 PM
The sills do not slope away from the windows. Perhaps they did at one time, but have been painted over and puttied over so many times that it's hard to tell now! They are spots on the outside sills where you can poke your finger right through the painted putty! As I said... years of neglect. About gutters... as the stuccoed exterior walls are so uneven, how would I get a gutter to fit flush enough to the wall so water just doesn't run behind it? The stucco finish is quite rough. Thanks all for your replies!
#5
07-24-16, 02:50 PM
BTW... the interior wall under the window which gets the most water sheeting down is puttied in spots as well! I've got some work cut out for me! If I were to contract professional assistance, what type would I look for as it's such a mixed bag of exterior/interior problems? Thanks!
#7
07-24-16, 06:49 PM
Group Moderator
A competent handyman that can repair (not just replace) the windows is what you would need. The rotted sloped sills can be replaced. Storm windows are usually needed to keep wind driven rain out.
