There are a number of reasons that cause window leaking. Most of the time, it all boils down to poorly installed windows or windows that have worn parts.
A leaking window has to be taken seriously. If it goes unnoticed or if not addressed immediately, it can cause damage to your home, from mold and mildew growth to wood rot. Worst, it can develop to foundation problems.
Top Causes for Window Leaking
The cause of the window leak is crucial in determining how to fix it. To help you out, we’ve listed down 10 reasons for windows leaking.
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Poor installation
We’re starting off with one of the most common reasons for window leaking i.e. poor installation. No matter how efficient or beautiful your window is, if the installation is problematic then your investment goes down the drain. It can ultimately cause more problems than good for your house.
Usual installation slip ups are poorly installed or breaks in the flashing. Using building paper or house wrap instead of specially designed window flashing is another case. Doing so will let the water seep into the paper and into the wall area surrounding the windows.
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Windows that are not plumb or level
This is the most common installation issue in windows. A window that’s not correctly levelled will ultimately collect water and cause it to accumulate. You can easily detect this problem by placing a level on your window so you can find out if it was properly installed or not.
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Improper sealing of the windows
The most common way of sealing windows today is with the use of expanding foam. Use this material accurately to avoid window leaking. If there’s too little foam used, there will be air channels between the window and the wall. These air channels will eventually cause water to come down through.
One of the things to take note of in sealing windows is accurate measurement. Make sure that your custom windows fit perfectly in the opening. If they are too small, then it will be unacceptable to fill the large gap with foam.
Yes, caulking on the outside of the window serves as the initial barrier from leaks. However, even with an incomplete caulking, the expanding foam should not let moisture inside of the house.
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Unsecured caulking
Speaking of caulking, this may cause window leaking too. If your caulking is missing or broken at the window flange and seams, expect a water buildup on your windows.
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Poor glass seal
Do you see leaks inside your window, between the panes of glass? This just means that you have a bad glass seal. Note though that this does not always mean that water is leaking into your home. However, it does mean that your windows have lost their insulating gas. This makes them extremely less energy-efficient than they were compared to when they were new.
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No paint seal
A surprising tip to ensure that your windows are sealed tightly is to do a paint seal. This is done by overlapping the paint slightly onto the glass. The operative word is “slightly” as we typically do not prefer paint on our windows. This may come as a shock to some but the continuous membrane of the paint from the molding onto the glass creates a seal. It is actually a part of the moisture protection strategy. Professional painters already know this and practice it.
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Lack of overhangs
Sometimes you need to go back to the start, revisit your house design. Make sure that you have overhangs. They can take care of draining the water off the roof. They will also prevent wind-driven rain water from entering your house through the windows.
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Problematic fascia boards
Check the angle of your fascia boards. If they are improperly angled above the window, this may cause window leaking. Angle the fascia boards outward to manage the water away from your house.
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Possibility of wall leaks
There’s a chance that your leaks are not window leaking at all. If stains are present at the top part of the window frame, the possible cause is leak in your walls. Check your walls for sealing gaps or cracks to verify this.
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Defective products
While considered as a less common cause of window leaks, do not disregard defective products. The defect can be because of the manufacturing process or handling of the product during shipping or installation.
To help determine if the leak is due to a defect in the product, check its color. A clear leak means it came from somewhere in the window and not the frame or wall components.
Contact Glass King for your Window Replacement Needs
Do you need help with a leaking window? We can replace your leaking windows at a reasonable price! Call Glass King today at (480) 389-5656 for an outstanding and efficient service!
