Why Your Window is Leaking When it Rains
With floods and heavy rainfall occurring across the country, homeowners are doing as much as possible to weatherproof their homes. But one area many overlook is the windows.
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Weather conditions could seriously damage your personal belongings and home if your structures aren’t up to scratch. Issues like a small leak from your windows during the rain may appear small at first. However, these leaks and water damage will worsen if left unattended.
Leaks can be frustrating, and there are several reasons why they occur. Don’t let a small leak worsen into massive water damage. Read on to learn why your windows leak when it rains and how you can solve the problem.
3 Reasons Why Your Window May Leak When It Rains
Your windows may leak for multiple reasons. Below are the three most common causes.
1. Damaged Sealant
Next time it rains, walk around your home and have a good look at your window fittings. If seals are damaged, you’ll likely need to remove and replace all the caulk.
Caulk consists of silicone, and the sealants are in place to prevent moisture damage. A lack of moisture also helps prevent the build-up of bacteria and mold by preventing air and moisture from getting into cracks around the window’s exterior.
Another reason to keep on top of your window sealants is how energy-efficient proper seals can make your home. If your caulk needs replacing, heating will escape the home, costing you money.
2. Improperly Installed or Worn Flashing
Flashing works as a waterproof transition between different materials layered during the building process. Its purpose is to lead the water down the building to the ground without allowing water inside.
If the flashing isn’t intact or properly installed, it could lead to leaky windows. Most often, leaks will appear from the top of the window in these instances, but not always.
It’s common, too, to see improperly installed flashing at any opening, like your doors.
3. Condensation
Condensation can happen if you have an issue with your window frame or the glass, which commonly occurs in poorly ventilated or insulated houses. Condensation can build up between panels of glass in your window.
This buildup points to damaged seals. Broken window seals allow argon gas in the windows to escape, which further erodes insulation when this happens. As the air escapes, it lets in moisture.
Wood windowsills will rot and grow mold, which could lead to lengthier repairs affecting the home’s structure. Wet rot can affect soft and hardwood. It’s important to intervene, as the rot can cause the timber to soften and lose strength.
How Do I Stop My Window From Leaking in the Rain?
It’s essential to seek professional advice. Have someone come and take a look. In the meantime, the below interventions could help.
Especially if you believe the problem arose from improper sealant, go ahead and remove the old caulk. Even if that’s not the issue, resealing your windows could reduce how much rain is coming through for the time being. You must thoroughly clean the sill of the window and frame after the removal and before re-caulking.
While cleaning, you can use a small wire to remove debris from the weep holes in the bottom frame. Cleaning these holes will improve drainage.
Make sure the exterior sill is sloping downward to drain excess water away from your window. If you have a sloped hood above the outside of the window, check it out for damage. Anything that is supposed to drain water away that isn’t working effectively will require repairs to address the leak at its source.
If none of these methods reduces the leak, there is further cause to call a professional. Often, a leak goes further than the window itself, damaging the structure around the window. An experienced professional will evaluate the damage. If necessary, they may recommend a full-frame window replacement.
While a full replacement may sound intimidating, it is the most thorough solution. With window leaks, it can be hard to determine the issue from the outside. But things become clearer once you’ve removed the window.
Frequently Asked Questions
A true professional would be able to answer any question, big or small, regarding windows. Here’s the answer to a very common one.
Can You Seal a Window When It’s Raining?
Although you can complete some installation even while it’s raining, the sealant needs to dry completely for a successful installation. If the installers want to press on despite the rain, this could lead to leaks in the future, putting you in the same position.
Essentially, caulk needs to dry to become stiff and watertight. Not only will your window remain leaky, but you could also face more issues, including moldy spots and drafts.
Seal and caulk your windows in dry conditions. If installing a new window, you can schedule the sealant for a later date.
It’s important to note that not all caulks and sealants will be silicone. Silicone-based caulk is best for window use with the most watertight finish. All sealants and caulks will have independent instructions on the item.
Dealing With Water Damage? Let All Dry USA Help
Any water damage can leave you feeling like your home is defenseless. That doesn’t have to be the case. Although leaks and the alike are frustrating, even getting in touch with a specialist for sound advice on keeping up to date with maintenance is a good place to start.
All Dry USA can assist from start to finish. We offer tips on preventing water damage, all the way to helping you solve the issue if it arises.
Stopping a leak isn’t the end of the road, either. Restoration following damage is a headache too. That’s why proper intervention and prevention will serve you very well in the future. Do it right with a professional.
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With Ben’s knowledge, and visionary leadership, All Dry USA has expanded into a national, full-service property damage restoration company with multiple locations across the United States. Ben holds numerous specialty licenses and certifications in restoration and construction.
