I live in a 50+ year old rancher that I purchased 3 years ago. After the first year I noticed the old wallpaper starting to come away from the wall under one of the double windows on the side of the house. I immediately peeled away the damaged wallpaper to explore and upon removing the sill I could see that water is dripping down between the two window units. I've checked the attic and there is no evidence of the water coming from the roof. I've also recaulked all the way around the window's exterior, making sure not to clog the weap holes. The windows are about 10 years old from what I can discern. Is this a case of poor installation? Do I need new windows or is there a cheaper solution?
2007-03-07 00:38:54 · 6 answers · asked by Stephen M 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
It's hard to tell unless I'm looking at it but try following the moisture upward until you find dryness. This is the point where the water is entering, or just above this point. I would suspect the leak to be at the top of the brickmold of the window. Even if you have a drip edge in place, it may not be properly installed. The back edge of the drip edge should be lapped by the housewrap, or in your case with a 50 yr old house felt or tar paper. This makes moisture flow to, rather than behind the drip edge. Sometimes when only a J-channel is used as a drip edge above a window, ice builds up in the J-channel making melting water flow over the edge and thru capilary action, water will flow down and under the channel. Once it is there, it's a matter of time before it finds a path downward. To stop this particular leak without removing the siding, lift j-channel with a putty knife and fill space with caulk the entire width of the channel. To fix properly, siding should be removed and flashed at the top properly.
2007-03-07 01:07:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know this may seem elementery, but are the little drain holes clogged on the inside between the windows.
Is there any type of vent pipe or anything else that requires flashing on the roof in the general vicinity of the window in question. The water may not neccesarily show in the attic if it follows a void to the window.
Any water pipes near the window in question?
2007-03-07 08:54:46 · answer #2 · answered by Patricia S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you say double window, I am assuming it is two windows that are mulled together. Some manufacturers do not mull windows very well, water is probably coming through between the frames at the mull. When you caulked, did you put a bead at the mull? Try it if you did not, or check around for a good carpenter/window guy and can fix for you.
2007-03-07 08:51:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
aluminum or wood caulk the point at which they join together... notorius for leaks, & seal the masonry & or siding from slab to soffit in this area ( i guess rancher means 1 story, so there will be no window above ) if this does not work, roof is suspect, even if new!
2007-03-07 08:54:49 · answer #4 · answered by Bonno 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ITS WARM OUT NOW SO TAKE THE WINDOW APART ON YOUR DAY OFF,, OR OPEN THEM EACH DIRECTION CLEAN ALL THE TRACKS WITH A CLEANER AND THEN SPRAY WD40 TO STOP THE WATER FROM REPELLING,,
THEN CAUK THE OUTSIDE AROUND THE WINDOW,, IT SHOULD WORK,, G/L
2007-03-13 22:55:12 · answer #5 · answered by wgggn_babyjim 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
...if the window has been on the "morning" sun side of the building... it's most likely dry'd out and warped... replace it.
2007-03-14 07:01:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋