Over time, most homeowners expect to perform minor repairs on their home. The effects of rain, wind, extreme temperatures, and humidity can take their toll on your home’s exterior components and occasionally allow water to penetrate those systems. Diagnosing and quickly repairing any window leaks is critical to maintaining your home and preventing extensive water damage. There are a few quick and simple repairs that can be done to fix a leaking window.
First, clear any debris from the weep holes at the bottom of the window. Typically, there are small slots located on each end of your window’s main frame (not the operable portion). A pipe cleaner or small screwdriver will help you keep these areas clear. Contrary to what you may believe, most of today’s windows are meant to take on a certain amount of water and drain it to the exterior. Pine needles, insects, and general dirt and debris can build up and prevent water from draining as designed. Keeping the weep holes open is your first defense against water leaks.
Secondly, check the caulking around your windows, especially on the sides facing the brunt of the weather. Old or damaged caulking can allow water to seep into your home. Look for any gaps or cracks between the window and your siding. Remove any damaged caulking and replace it with new caulking made especially for windows. If your windows are older, it may be a good idea to caulk any seams or corners in them as well.
Lastly, just because you see water coming from around our windows, doesn’t mean the windows themselves are leaking. Water travels the path of least resistance. If you have water dripping at the top of your window, most likely there is a leaking roof or a siding issue that originates above the window. These require a little more work to diagnose and, unfortunately, the repairs can be costly. If you notice your windows leaking this winter, act immediately to determine the cause and begin the repairs