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Home Repair Windows Exterior

Water leak between top of window frame and drywall

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

The seam where my window joins with drywall leaks every time we have a lot of rain. The water is only coming in at the top of the window frame. It has been a persistent problem. I have replaced my roof, replaced some rotted wood and drywall above the window. Still having trouble. My house is a siding exterior and about 30 years old. Any help or ideas would be appreciated

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Comments (8)

PRO
toddinmn
3 years ago
Most likely it is not flashed or flashed incorrectly on the top of the window on the exterior.
PRO
PPF.
3 years ago
We need to see the exterior.
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Ducts aren't meant to hold water, even if each joint was properly taped/sealed. That will all dry out. But you probably had water get between the duct edge and the floor. The drywall ceiling is your main concern. Water in the insulation + closed space = can't dry out, then mold and soggy drywall, etc. If you got a lot of water in there, you would have to open the ceiling in the garage, pull out the wet insulation, get rid of soggy drywall, let the ceiling dry out, replace insulation, etc. I am doing exactly this for a client that had a leaky sink fixture, apparently for a long time. They noticed it when the drywall in the garage started to get wet in spots, followed by the characteristic dark tone of mold...and that was from clean water. BTW, if your duct was basically a straight run, you might go down to the air hanndler, remove the filter, and look inside. If you had a lot of water, you may have to do some clean-up down there also.
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I had to do some temporary fixes with windows that were rotted that looks similar to yours. I just had to wait until I could afford it. I used that wood hardener like you did. To fill in the void after digging out all the rot I used whatever, small pieces of wood. I would put some wood, or something solid under window to keep it supported. I also used some spray foam, use the stuff for windows and doors, it is not supposed to expand so much. I also used some wood putty (not the stuff used for filling nail holes) There is a wood putty that is ready to use, I think made by the same place that makes wood hardener. The other wood putty, it's a powder that you mix with water, Durhams. I then painted/primed to give it more protection...I had 5 windows that looked similar to yours. When we got enough money together to replace we had to replace the bottom framing and a stud or two on a few of them. Yes, I do think the sill/bottom is a support. They are nailed into the side, but the bottom I am sure is "what holds it up." Also, I spray some bleach around the area to kill mold spores, I read somewhere a mixture using borax is good for that too. But after wetting it with the bleach you need to dry it out really good before you seal it all up. The two windows that I had to have studs/bottom 2x4 (that supports the window) replaced I had to tear out drywall and dried it out using fans and portable heaters.
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FT is right, 98% of the time the skylite itself does not leak. Flashing not properly installed (have seen the flashing used as a nailing flange too many times) is the normal culprit, or shingles not properly installed after the skylite is installed.
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We are having the same the oroblem. Our first floor window lieaks above the top from the frame. This 1st story window is directly below the 2nd floor window. We have caulked the second story window and caulked the brick mortar. It still leaks when we have a blowing rain, The first level window frame is slightly damaged but the window above it is fine, It has to be coming from the 2nd floor because the first level has a nice dry wrap around porch protecting it, Thanks
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PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
3 years ago
It's a flashing problem. Unzip the siding and look around. Don't delay, this can get very serious quickly.
Window Genius
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Even though your roof is new, that doesnt mean it was done correctly. I dont care how well a window is sealed, if you are getting water from your roof or from behind the siding for that matter, you will get water through any window opening regardless of how well its sealed.

post a picture of the exterior and be sure to capture both window and roof.
cat_ky
3 years ago
Sounds like a flashing problem too. Since this sounds like it has been leaking for quite a while now, then, chances are good, you have a lot of rot in that area too. Siding will have to be removed, and any exterior boards etc replaced if necessary (possibly even some insulation) and all new flashing put on. I wouldnt wait to long on this. It will only get worse.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
3 years ago
"if you are getting water from your roof or from behind the siding for that matter, you will get water through any window opening regardless of how well its sealed."

That would mean flashing is useless. The whole point of flashing is to keep water that has penetrated the siding from entering the house at the window.

All exterior claddings pass some rainwater.
Peter L
9 months ago
Alyson, May I ask whether you found out the root cause of your window leak? How did you fix it? Your experience is appreciated. Thank you
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
9 months ago
Gotta see the outside. Window were replaced already or original?

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