Comments on: My Windows Leak! http://chicagowindowexpert.com/2009/02/03/my-windows-leak/ Nobody knows more about windows. Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:21:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: MW http://chicagowindowexpert.com/2009/02/03/my-windows-leak/comment-page-1/#comment-5619 MW Sun, 19 Feb 2012 01:00:05 +0000 http://chicagowindowexpert.com/?p=63#comment-5619 Hello. We had a leaking transom window on the 2nd floor of a 3 story home (built in 2007). We had a contractor who works full-time for a major window manufacturer (and does side work on personal time) inspect and recaulk the windows (there were multiple cracks around the entire window), only for it to continue to leak shortly thereafter. He removed the interior trim so we could watch and pinpoint the exact point of entry with the next rain. Unfortunately, that contractor injured his knee and wasn't able to help us remedy the issue. So we called several general contractors who were all perplexed as to where the rain was coming in. I insisted that it was coming from the top of the window and asked them to take the hose to the attic and spray it down on top of the window. Sure enough, the water came pouring in as if there was a huge opening and nothing at all stopping it from coming in. That led to speculation that it was the drip cap. After getting three quotes from reputable companies with lifetime warranties, we settled on one and had the vinyl transom replaced with a new one yesterday. We were under the impression that the drip cap would be replaced as well but the installer inspected it thoroughly and said it seemed intact and fine. He ended up recaulking the back of it as an extra precaution although he said the existing caulk did not appear to have any cracks in it. My concern is that the drip cap no longer extends over the window since the bottom sill from the replacement window juts out a bit and seems to incline back toward the house. The drip cap also seems to slightly incline toward the house. Additionally, when he removed the old window (the seal inside was beginning to droop), the top wood in the frame of the window was completely rotted and the interior drywall at the top of the window was damaged. Obviously the water had been sitting up top for a long time. Now that the frame was rebuilt, the window replaced (and an exterior aluminum wrapping around the exterior brick mould), and completely sealed, do you think we should be worried? We're concerned that the rain will still get in but now that there's spray foam sealant and composite boards in the frame, that the water may just stay locked in there without a way to escape. The only way we noticed it the first time was that the grout in the shower was wet after it rained. We notified the company today of our concerns and are awaiting a return phone call. We're expecting heavy rains tonight so it should be interesting. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Hello. We had a leaking transom window on the 2nd floor of a 3 story home (built in 2007). We had a contractor who works full-time for a major window manufacturer (and does side work on personal time) inspect and recaulk the windows (there were multiple cracks around the entire window), only for it to continue to leak shortly thereafter.

He removed the interior trim so we could watch and pinpoint the exact point of entry with the next rain. Unfortunately, that contractor injured his knee and wasn’t able to help us remedy the issue. So we called several general contractors who were all perplexed as to where the rain was coming in. I insisted that it was coming from the top of the window and asked them to take the hose to the attic and spray it down on top of the window.

Sure enough, the water came pouring in as if there was a huge opening and nothing at all stopping it from coming in. That led to speculation that it was the drip cap. After getting three quotes from reputable companies with lifetime warranties, we settled on one and had the vinyl transom replaced with a new one yesterday. We were under the impression that the drip cap would be replaced as well but the installer inspected it thoroughly and said it seemed intact and fine. He ended up recaulking the back of it as an extra precaution although he said the existing caulk did not appear to have any cracks in it.

My concern is that the drip cap no longer extends over the window since the bottom sill from the replacement window juts out a bit and seems to incline back toward the house. The drip cap also seems to slightly incline toward the house. Additionally, when he removed the old window (the seal inside was beginning to droop), the top wood in the frame of the window was completely rotted and the interior drywall at the top of the window was damaged. Obviously the water had been sitting up top for a long time.

Now that the frame was rebuilt, the window replaced (and an exterior aluminum wrapping around the exterior brick mould), and completely sealed, do you think we should be worried? We’re concerned that the rain will still get in but now that there’s spray foam sealant and composite boards in the frame, that the water may just stay locked in there without a way to escape. The only way we noticed it the first time was that the grout in the shower was wet after it rained. We notified the company today of our concerns and are awaiting a return phone call. We’re expecting heavy rains tonight so it should be interesting. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

]]>