Comments on: Warning Signs That Your Home Has a Serious Window Leak

By: HandymanCincy

HandymanCincy — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:10:09 +0000

Yeon-
This reminds me of a massive job we just completed where many of the windows in the home were installed incorrectly–which allowed water to get in and cause mold growth and wood rot. In most cases the mold was minor–so we could simply cut out and throw away the damaged materials. Mold remediation laws vary from state to state–typically governed by the amount or type of mold encountered.
I wouldn\’t worry too much about this–typically mold tends to be worse on the inside than the outside… so if you don\’t have mold growth on the visible side of the drywall… this is a good sign. Yes, you are going to have to \”wait and see\” when your windows are removed the survey the extent of damage. Let me know how this turns out for you!
Don

By: yeon

yeon — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:11:28 +0000

Great, informative article. I purchased a home 5 months ago and have since discovered that all the replacement vinyl windows leak to some degree or another. I've since learned the condition was pre-existing as the seller told me she had patched some drywall b/c "water came in". I've contracted with a window company to replace all the windows with “new-construction”; style windows (windows with a nail fin), where they’ll install the new windows by taking down the siding, putting in the new window and flash around it, and then re-install the siding. This way we can see if there’s any damage to the wood under the siding.

My question is, should I be concerned with mold behind the drywall. There is no visible evidence of mold on the drywall from inside the house so hopefully we’ll get a better idea of a possible mold problem once the window guys start their installation. However, should I test for hidden mold in the wall cavity prior to the window install? Or should the window installers be able to remediate for mold once (if) they see it?

Any guidance would be appreciated. TIA

By: HandymanCincy

HandymanCincy — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:09:56 +0000

When I lived down in Oklahoma I had a similar problem… it could be a result of window condensation. You can either reduce the humidity level in the home, or replace the window.
If the paint is peeling, there is likely a moisture problem. Before replacing the the window, I would recommend you have the roof and siding (or brick, if that is what you have there) inspected to see if there are any obvious signs of water intrusion above those windows. Leaks like this can be tough to find… so be patient… you may have the endure a \”process of elimination.\” Good Luck! – Don

By: H Trantham

H Trantham — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 02:27:54 +0000

I just moved into the house built by my grandfather in 1952 in central Texas. I had the interior reprinted in August, 2010. Now I see peeling paint on top of kitchen sink wood window frame, and on bathroom window frame and sill, and various other windows. Water also condenses heavily throughout house on all windows. I’m not sure where to start in identifying cause or solution, and would appreciate any suggestions. Can anyone help?

By: scantrell

scantrell — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 22:37:33 +0000

Didn't purchase the house until 2004. Just discovered there's no flashing above windows, no weep holes in brick, and extremely poreous brick this week. Previous owners purchased from the builder. The builder went out of business in late 2000, right after the house was finished.

By: scantrell

scantrell — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:27:52 +0000

The house was built in 2000. We bought it from the original owner in Sept. 2004. We just found out yesterday the flashing was missing. We have paid $$$$ to several folks to fix numerous leaks that first appear as water stains on the ceiling over the windows or in sophets above the windows. We've had water drain from the window and run into our basement ceiling panels. That took us several months to figure out where the water was coming from. One window was removed and a sealer was put around the frame, but the water eventually came back. There's a little roof over two of the windows that was removed and re-flashed, but since it had nothing to do with the little roof overhang, the leak came back. I guess all the duct tape or caulking they used when building this house in lieu of flashing finally gave way this year, and now all the windows that are on a brick wall outside are leaking. These window leaks have been loccurring over the years like a bag of popcorn slowly popping since 2004 and finally, in 2004 the whole bag has popped!

By: HandymanCincy

HandymanCincy — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:27:34 +0000

How old was your home when you discovered that the flashing was missing?

By: scantrell

scantrell — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:40:51 +0000

We have the same problem in Lexington Kentucky. However, it appears someone or a combination of someones were asleep at the wheel when building these houses. We have a situation where the builder did not install any flashings on any of our 24 windows; the building inspector did not check to ensure windows were flashed; the previous homeowner did not disclose window leakage problems to us when we bought the house; the house inspector overlooked the water leakage signs prior to loan closing; and now we are stuck with a $10,000 repair bill that includes replacement of rotten plywood underneath the brick and major brick removal to properly install window flashings and replace the rotten plywood. Who is responsible and why aren't consumers protected from major expenses such as these due to other folks fraud and negligence?

By: water damage company

water damage company — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 07:34:41 +0000

This is a very nice article guys – well written and great illustrations. I own a water damage company and we get a lot of calls in the Winter for water damage from bad window seals. i recomend having them checked before the rains start.

By: Cincinnati Water Dam

Cincinnati Water Dam — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 23:38:59 +0000

Got water damage calls this week after the heavy rain. 1 of them may have had to do with gutter issues. As stated above "unattended to gutter's" can cause major issues.

By: MASTERMYLIST1

MASTERMYLIST1 — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 13:53:30 +0000

Laura-

I'm sorry this has happened to you but the story is all too common. I'd recommend that the company you are looking at to do the addition also perform the repair. More than likely there will be significant wood rot repair and the need to re-flash and seal the windows. Not all handyman or home repair companies are skilled and equipped as we are to do these sorts of jobs, so I would think the GC you hire to do the addition might be the best bet. Although this article doesn't apply specifically to your area, the principles remain the same–I'd suggest you run this on any contractor before you hire them. It can be found here: http://www.mastermylist.com/consumer-education/th…
Good luck and let me know how it turns out for you!

Don

By: Laura B.

Laura B. — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 17:03:19 +0000

I wish we lived in your service area… unfortunately, we're in the Philadelphia area. This is exactly what is happening with our windows at the front and back of our house. We had someone out a few years ago, and they simply caulked around the bottom floor window (2 hours of labor costs for 2 people and a $7 tube of caulk). Needless to say, the problem was not solved. Not being very handy ourselves, we struggled trying to figure out what the problem was, and were afraid to pay so much again to have the problem remain unfixed. Now that I have this information, I can discuss our leaking windows with more knowledge.

A question, though… with the years of damage that we have, would you recommend contacting a local handyman, or is this a bigger siding/window company job? Is this something that a remodel company might handle? We are considering an addition on the back of the house, and I wonder if it might make sense to go with the remodel company we are considering for the addition.

Thank you for your assistance. Your blog is wonderful!

By: Home Repair Help

Home Repair Help — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 05:27:46 +0000

Very interesting article.

Thanks very much for this well written post.

By: Window Signs Decals

Window Signs Decals — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 04:33:25 +0000

Most problems with leaks are related to missing or improper flashing. Window Signs Decals Wholesale

By: Greg Williams

Greg Williams — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 19:25:00 +0000

We get calls frequently where the gutters were partially the cause for basement water damage.