How To Fix Window Leaks With Vinyl Siding

Vinyl is a potentially leaky material and water trapped behind siding leads to decay and mold.

How to fix window leaks with vinyl siding.

It s basically poly foam about 1 8. Siding leak diagnosis and repair. Inspect the area above the leak including both indoors and out. If it s got a hole in it you ve got a problem.

The only underlayment is the green weather barrier. Use a caulking gun to apply a continuous bead of silicone sealant along the vertical seams between the vinyl j channels and the exterior window casings. Vinyl siding is designed as an exterior cladding only and is supposed to be installed over other materials such as a weather resistant barrier. Well vinyl siding like all siding should be installed correctly so that it doesn t leak.

Using detailed examples and photos of leaky building siding siding stains ice or other leak clues for vinyl siding we illustrate the installation mistakes or subsequent siding damage that can cause troublesome even dangerous leaks into a building wall or wall. Check to be sure weep holes are open along bottom of window openings. The joinery is straight cut and screwed and is prone to leakage. I would recommend removing the siding around the window and replacing the j channel.

Your window may be allowing just enough moisture for mold to grow creating unhealthy home air quality. So is vinyl siding any more or less leaky than any other type of siding. I ve pulled off the vinyl siding to expose the sheathing pic1 and original pressboard siding pic2. The broken j channel is clearly the most likely source of a leak in vinyl siding.

If an installer uses a material such as incorrectly this only exacerbates the problem. The most troublesome areas for the installation of vinyl siding are around doors and windows and of course anywhere that it will be butting up against or seaming to another piece of siding or the home. The vinyl around the windows is standard j channel in which the siding sits. Any attempt to caulk or seal this area using another method is not likely to have a long term result.

It s the raincoat that covers your building. Leaks rusted out the steel opening liner left went on to attack the wood right ran down inside the wall and destroyed a wood floor. Water damage beneath leaking vinyl window window. As you can see there is a spread pattern of water damage below the windows.

This article describes the causes of all types of leaks in building siding and wall coverings. To repair leaky siding you can use exterior caulk to fill in any small cracks.