
How to Fix Window Leaks

Here are some tips on how to fix window leaks:
Be
aware of where windows commonly leak.
Common places where a window leaks are at it’s connections,
where one part of the window is connected to another, where the window meets
the window frame and where the frame meets the wall. The most common area for
water leakage is where the window frame meets the wall. Over time, water will
eventually get into those small air leaks and start to break down the wall
materials.
Find
the leak.
An easy way to find a window leak is to light a candle or
incense and bring it near the window frame, along it’s joints and in the
corners. if the flame or smoke flickers, you know the location of the leak.
Install
new caulking on the outside.
Visually inspect all the outside caulking for any cracked or
damage seals. Remove the current caulking and re-install new caulking where the
window meets the exterior siding. If you have wooden windows, make sure to use
a high-grade polyurethane caulking.
Install
expanding foam inside the interior or exterior trim.
If you’ve tried sealing up the window’s exterior and there
is still a leak, you might have to get more aggressive in your approach. If you
take off the trim, on the inside or the outside, you can use expanding foam to
create an air and watertight seal. Learn how
to master expanding foam insulation. This method can eliminate the leak
permanently, prevent future water damage and improve energy efficiency.
Check
the weather stripping.
Weather stripping is used to seal operating parts of your
window with the stationary parts. You will find weather stripping where that
operable window sash meets the frame once it’s closed. This creates an airtight
seal. If the weather stripping is damaged, it will have to be replaced.
First, you’ll have to remove the operational part of the
window, like the pane that slides open and closed in a slider window or the
moving sash in a hung window. From there, you’ll be able to see the weather
stripping and know if it needs replacing. You can purchase an easy-to-use weather
stripping kit from the hardware store. These kits come with instructions and
everything you’ll need to do the job.
Read >>> How
much does it cost to replace windows ?