When it rains, it pours. And when it pours outside, it shouldn’t leak into your home interior. If you spot water around your windows when it rains, it’s time for them to be replaced. Leaky windows can cause wood rot, mold and mildew, and if left unaddressed, eventually foundation problems can result. Leaky windows cause damage, so address the problem promptly and you’ll save in the long run.
Damage from leaky windows
When a home’s windowsills are wet because water leaked into your home, mold may start to grow inside your walls where it’s left out of sight, yet can harm your health. Water may also seep in and warp your home’s floors, and possibly even impact your ceiling negatively.
What causes windows to leak?
There are some primary causes for leaky windows to look out for:
- Faulty window installation
- Worn-out window parts that cause a breakdown of sealing components
Prevent leaky windows
Rather than dealing with window leaks in the future, take these precautions and avoid the hassle of leaky windows.
Hire a professional to install your windows
Unfortunately, some contractors don’t install windows properly, and windows leak as a result. Get reliable, exacting window installation by a reputable home exterior contractor in your area. Check the BBB rating, research the company online, read reviews from their customers, and check with friends, family and neighbors for reliable referrals.
Stay current on home maintenance
Each year, check your exterior window casings for peeled or damaged caulk. Remove damaged caulk, clean the window frame, and caulk the window with fresh caulk. Check each of your window’s mechanics for the possibility of broken components. Repair or replace broken windows.
Check your roof
Leaking water can show up on your windowsill but originate from your home’s roofing system. Check to see if your roof is missing shingles, and if you can’t find the problem, contact a roofing professional to inspect your home’s roof.
Check your gutters
Do a visual inspection on your home’s gutters from the ground. Are they sagging, warped, or leaking? If you are able to take appropriate safety precautions, grab a ladder and look into your home’s gutters to see if they are clogged by debris like leaves or twigs. Verify if your gutters are properly sized for the typical amount of rain you get, and find out if they were installed correctly. If new gutters are needed, get them replaced, and consider adding secure gutter guards to prevent future clogs. Gutter guards relieve you of the dangerous task of climbing up a ladder and cleaning your gutters out regularly.
Locate the source of the problem
Use a simple garden hose to find the source of the moisture problem that is causing your window leaks. Go through your home exterior section by section to determine where the problem originated: is it your siding, your roof or gutters, or simply your windows?
Signs You Need Replacement Windows
Damage from moisture retention
If mold, mildew, or warping is evident in your current windows, avoid greater costs that ignoring the problem could bring, and get replacement windows.
Drafts near windows
If your home’s indoor temperature changes near your windows, or you feel drafts inside, it’s time to get replacement windows.
Stuck windows
If your current windows are difficult to open or close, it’s time for window replacements.
Damaged windows
If you have broken windows that compromise your home’s overall protection, get window replacements.
Moisture penetration
If excess moisture has been accumulating and creating wood rot, condensation between glass panes, or water stains—stop the damage by replacing your windows.
Replace worn-out, leaky windows and get optimal performance
Poorly functioning windows can cost you in heating and air conditioning bills as well as moisture damage. Don’t settle for leaky windows that may cause unhealthy mold in your home. Improve your home’s air quality and energy efficiency with new windows. You’ll love the savings on utilities throughout the year as well as your new, secure, well installed windows.
Replacement window basics
Get an understanding of window replacement components when you decide it’s time for replacement.
- Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)—This measures how much heat from the sun is blocked by your replacement windows.
- Glass Basics—Get customized glass in your window replacements. The glass you choose for your new windows impacts the look of your home from the outside, as well as the amount of light that enters your home interior. Selecting the right glass can bring you savings on utilities. The glass on your new windows can keep your furniture from fading.
- Visible Transmittance (VT)—This measures the amount of light that comes through your window. The higher the number, the more light that comes into your home.
- U-Factor—This measures how well your replacement windows do at stopping heat from entering or leaving your home.
Prevent leaky windows with proper installation
Don’t settle for inferior window installation that can leave your home vulnerable to the elements. Get premium installation from the professionals at Lifetime Exteriors, where we work diligently to protect your biggest investment—your home. Transform your home with new windows, and enjoy energy savings and comfort year-round.
Safeguard and beautify your home
At Lifetime Exteriors, we understand you need a home that is beautiful and in proper working order. To have that, you need a home exterior that truly protects your biggest investment. When the outside of your home fails, it can feel frustrating. That’s why for 10 years we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners in the Portland Metro area install durable exterior products that safeguard and beautify their home.
Schedule a free consultation today, and in the meantime, download our PDF “The Ultimate Checklist to Make Your Home Exterior Bulletproof.” Stop worrying about the condition of your home’s exterior and instead get a durable, low maintenance, eco-friendly exterior that truly protects and beautifies your home.
