There is rain in the forecast for tomorrow. Do you spend your time changing plans to accommodate a relaxing day inside or are you in a panic preparing for the deluge to invade your home? If you are in that latter group of people, it is a good time to pursue a solution to that problem. You are losing money by being unable to maintain a stable temperature inside your home when you have leaking windows when it rains. It is important to replace your windows in a timely manner before the leaking water does irreparable damage to your home.
What is Causing My Windows to Leak?
Leaking windows when it rains is common in older homes. Year after year of exposure to harsh climates, a wide variety of weather conditions and settlement of the foundation can cause leaks to form. Sometimes, rather than it is only one problem it can be a combination of any or all of these three factors. Over time the frames and seals can become damaged and even break causing the window to droop, opening gaps for water to penetrate. Even newer windows and doors in Toronto can have leaks. There are three specific locations that windows often leak from.
The Design Of Your Home
The design of the home, if not constructed properly, can cause leaks. The board above the window also called the fascia should be angled away from the window. Next, we must assure the installation of the window is performed properly. If the proper materials aren’t used, then there will most likely be leaks. Window flashing is very important in the installation process. If the breaks aren’t placed properly in the flashing material, water will infiltrate through the window. Finally, maintenance inspections are necessary to assure leaks do not occur. It is important to inspect the caulking around your windows on a semi-annual basis in order to make sure it is sealed properly. Also, check to make sure that the glazing putty isn’t suffering from a broken seal. If the seal is broken moisture will collect between the panes of the windows. Finally, paint should only barely overlap onto the molding of the window creating an airtight closure.
Locating the Leak
Before you figure out the reason why you have leaking windows when it rains, you must first determine where the leak is located. If the leak is on the wall area, either above or below the window the problem is most likely structural. An inspection of the studs, once the window is removed, will reveal if this is the case. In homes that have some age on them, leaks are just as common around the roof or floors. Mold traveling up the wall is a tell-tell sign of this problem.
If the window itself has moisture issues in the area of the sashes, window jamb, or window frame then you very possibly have an issue with the actual window. This can be caused by age plain and simple. The operation of the window can be compromised by clogged drain channels, and out-of-line sash or worn-out weather stripping.
Help Me Fix the Leaks
While there are many fixes for leaky windows as there are causes it could be something simple such as repairing and replacing the weather stripping or something very complicated like rebuilding a portion of a wall. There are some simple maintenance tasks you can perform.
- You can remove old caulking and replace it with new caulk
- Use clear silicone caulk to re-seal the glass and gasket between the window frame.
- Assure that the window sill is on a downward plane to drain water away from the inside of the home.
- Clean out the bottom frame of your windows, removing bugs and debris and making sure that the drain holes are clear of obstructions so that they drain water that penetrates the screen.
If you have a serious issue with leaking windows when it rains it may be best to obtain a professional to evaluate your options. If a full-frame replacement is required you should be aware that they can be more expensive. With that being said, it is the most sure-fire way to fix your problem. You will also have the peace of mind in knowing the origin of the leak, whether it is directly related to the window or you have structural issues that need to be addressed.
Preventing Future Window Leaks
While a lot of products claim to be “maintenance free” the proper term should be “very low maintenance” since no product is truly maintenance-free. You should perform general maintenance to assure that the caulk is performing properly, and the drain holes are unobstructed. These small steps can prevent very big issues later down the road. It is also important to make sure that your roof isn’t compromised. Often the shingles can come loose, or leaks can develop around a chimney or exhaust pipe and then drain along celling trusses until it reaches a window frame, ultimately dripping to the inside of the home.
So, in your search for leaking window repair or replacement, an option for your needs could be Direct Pro Windows and Doors. Don’t forget to ask questions when acquiring a company to help with your issue. You are entitled to answers as to where the professional has located the leaks origin so don’t be afraid to ask questions. As the client, you are the boss and you should be given answers to all of your questions without receiving any brush-offs or run around. Even though you may prefer not to do a complete window replacement it may be the most sensible solution to remedy your issues.
