Kate...Rollie did an excellent presentation of window flashing on the Delores House. There's a link attatched below.

No house wrap?

Here is a link that might be useful: Delores House

Thanks, persnickety; house will be wrapped in felt. (tarpaper?) Here's the FortiFlash website installation instructions:

http://fortifiber.com/pdf/install_guides/IG_window_flashing_method_a.pdf

Looks very straightforward to me, but I'm going up against the wall of 'we've done this hundreds of times'.

Kate,

Ours is over the window flashing so it is sealing the window. I would have them do it over.

Good luck!!

Kelly

I agree it seems wrong.

Make a copy of the window installation directions, and the self adhesive flashing directions, and bring up a concern that the windows are not warranteed if not installed per manufacturers instructions. (You can ask that the window rep come to double check installation to confirm proper install if he inists it is right)

The flashing also looked wrong on all of my windows. When I wouldn't believe it was the caulk that kept the water out as he tried to tell me, I was told "this is the way we've always done it and it hasn't leaked. But if you would feel better we will redo it" The self adhesive flashing was bunched up and torn in multi places. I think the framers who also installed the windows knew the flashing had to be in the window opening, but had no concept of its purpose or proper overlap. (upper pieces should be placed over)

Best description I heard was to imagine a drop of water traveling from the top down, and be sure it keeps being directed down and out. I did find references for house wrap going on before or after. Both ways are possible, but do effect overlaps. I made a list of about 8 references if you need them.

I felt guilty because the framers ended up taking out and reinstalling my windows 3 times, first wrong height, then this, but still not properly flashed so the GC spent the day flashing himself. I know it was their fault it was wrong, but I thought it was more a lack of ever being taught right.

I doubt I will build or add on again, but I will specify specially trained and certified window installers in the contract.

I was disappointed that we were barely into the process before I realized I had a better grasp of preventing water intrusion than the GC based on a few hours research on the internet.

Stick to what seems right, with proof to back you. It is your home years after the contractor is done. I know reading about mold and water intrusion strengthened my need to have it done right.

It was definitely a relief once they were redone for me.

Good luck.

What you have photographed in is correct.Same with the round window having only the bottom flashing piece applied before the window install.

I showed the pics to DH (licensed contractor) and he agreed all the windows shown were done wrong. The link above shows a good install method. House wrap first. Where's the house wrap?

Oh gosh.

http://fortifiber.com/pdf/install_guides/IG_window_flashing_method_a.pdf

This seems to indicate 'seal the flashing to the sheathing'; then later 'tuck the weather resistive barrier [tar paper in our case] underneath the sill and jamb flashing'. This and the drawings do indicate that the paper goes on last, and over the flashing. The above .pdf file drawings seem to suggest that the flashing is going onto raw wood-product.

sue, does your DH think that our Photoshopped version looks OK? I know there's no wrap, but still . . .

Thanks again, all, so very much. I never thought I'd be on this end of a flashing thread; can't tell you how I appreciate the help. Kate.

I think I will ask our GC about the house wrap. It is not on all the walls of the house. One one of the windows is the black tar paper I guess. I am going to have to look at it closer tomorrow! Good luck Kate!

House wrap first. The self-adhesive waterproofing I experimented with recently (RESISTO) does not adhere to housewrap. (In fact, self-adhesive flashings are virtually unknown here in residential applications. I felt like I was from Mars asking suppliers about them.)

OK, worthy, I think that the ship 'house wrap first' has sailed. We unsuspectingly ended up with guys who'd always done paper (felt) house wrap with paper (felt) flashings. We're the first they've done with sticky flashing. The flashing is on; this is the norm for felt wrap/flashing (I do believe) so what's my best bet? What we've got to deal with is sticky flashing on raw OSB, with tar paper (felt) to follow. Please, guys, help me put some lipstick on this pig! Just for fun, we're, well, old, and will live here until the house melts from moisture around us  we'd planned on forever, but I do know that water can take a house down as surely as fire; it's just a matter of time.

this is the norm for felt wrap/flashing

Whose norm? Not the manufacturer. The installation is clearly at variance with the manufacturer's explicit illustrated directions. I wonder if the installer caulked the flanges per the directions?

Felt wraps went "out" here by 1990.

Felt wrap goes underneath the sill flashing & on top of the jamb and head flashing. Felt wrap is integrated with the flashing differently than Tyvek type of housewrap.

We used a double layer of 30# impregnated tar felt because we have (real) stucco and it tends to bond to Tyvek types of housewrap and messing up the drainage.

Here is an illustration of window flashing installed with felt paper:

Here is a link that might be useful:

A simple solution would be to leave the existing flashing in place, pull the fasteners on the bottom nailing flange and up the jamb(sides) nailing fins in order to slip the felt under the bottom flange. Run the feltover the nailing fins on the jamb (sides) and header (top), keeping it about an inch fron the window and run new flashing up the sides and over the top.As kellyeng stated, the felt should coincide with the flashing install. Since yours isn't,this is a simple solution without too much trouble involving completely removing all, which isn't necessary.imo.You are dealing with moisture/condensation issues, not actual physical running water which makes it important for all laps to let that moisture run down without intrusion.Pulling the windows loose at the sides and bottom also allows to run a bead of caulking under the fin as worthy stated, which is just a little extra insurance and helps with lessening air infiltration.A correct felt/flashing install can be done caulk free, but throwing a bead in there cant hurt.

Thanks all; sierraeast, I'll try your method/suggestions. Did they caulk? who knows. Given the importance of this issue, I'll talk to the supervisor (if I ever hear from him) and hang around all day & watch. Again, thanks.

Flashings wrong.

Felt is tucked under window head. wrong. Is that a deck above the windows?

No metal edge on the shingles.

No roof to wall membranes.

Doesnt appear to be any step flashings at the roof to wall connections.

Wanna post some more pictures?

Sorry,

Not yet, rollie; let me get a few answers first. Thanks.

Kate.