Causes of leaking windows

Windows have to be properly sealed between the glass and the frame, and between the frame and the siding on all sides, or not only will water leaks occur, but insulation problems will result. The air from inside your home will escape easily, which makes for inefficient cooling and heating systems. Sometimes the plaster or rubber seal has eroded and needs be filled with a sealant to make the window structure watertight; this is a process known as caulking.

Additionally, the window frame itself may be improperly assembled so that there are gaps at the corners of the frame. This problem can also be remedied by caulking. Another situation that can cause your windows to leak is if the weep holes along the bottom edge of the window are clogged or missing. Weep holes allow the water to drain away when it rains, keeping the water from accumulating in the frame.

Finding the cause

The first step in addressing your leaking window is to find out where the leak is coming from. It is important to address the problem as soon as you can, since it can result in larger problems with your home as time goes by. If there are no visible holes or openings around the window or siding that you can pinpoint as the cause, use a hose to spray water on the window and the surrounding wall. Spray in a systematic fashion, from the bottom to the top. A friend will need to be inside your home watching for the leak to start. Sometimes the leak may be a result of holes or problems around the upper level windows.

Do-it-yourself repairs    

Caulking: Exterior latex caulk can be found at your local home improvement store. It can be applied wherever there is a gap around a window, and takes no more than a couple of minutes. Make sure the caulk fills the hole completely and wait for it to cure. If a larger gap of half an inch or so needs to be filled, purchase some foam backer rod and push it into the gap before you do the caulking.

Painting: After the caulk has cured and the holes are sealed tightly, apply a layer of paint on top of the caulk. Painting not only hides the caulking and keeps the exterior aesthetically pleasing, but also helps maintain the structure surrounding the window.

Unblocking weep holes: If there are no weep holes in the frame, drill a couple of small holes into the bottom edge of the frame. If you find that the holes are clogged, then try scrubbing with a nylon brush to loosen and remove the clogged dirt.

About the author

Home decor specialist, Alyssa Davis, is a regular writer for Metal-Wall-Art.com, and she offers many ideas on how to design your favorite rooms with wall art store and wine wall decor.