Kissimmee, FL on Sep 10, 2011

the window is the front of my house has a small leak at first i was told the weep holes in the window were clogged so

we made them bigger and kept them clear. the sheet rock still seem wet but the water never can in again, after hurricane charlie we replace the roof and the front wall and sealed it inside and out, well after one of our heavy rain storms my daughter said it was leakng again when we checked our hand went thru the sheetrock and the stud seem rotted....Anyone have any thoughts on how to find and fix this or who to contact to find and fix this leak once and for all

11 Comments

Nichter's Home Services C... Islesboro, ME

Photos of the exterior area and roof area above would help immensely!
No idea what you mean about replacing the wall.

on Sep 10, 2011 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

If the studs are rotten they need to be replaced...It sounds like the window was never properly flashed or caulked or you got some other deeper issues going on. You said the wall was replaced after Charlie...being a westerner...we don't remember all of these storms ...How long ago was that? Was the entire wall replaced...studs sheathing..everything. If it was recent and these problems are back then it sounds like that wall was not installed right.

on Sep 10, 2011 · Like 0
Pat F Kissimmee, FL

to nichter we replaced the sheet rock the outside wall is good still and the roof was all replaced wood, tar paper and shingles so i don't think it's that
and it seems to only leak when it rains hard and from a certian direction
to KMS charlie was in 2004 and we only replaced sheet rock cause of stuff going thru the roof and causing it to get wet. I know the studs have to be replaced but i'm worried it's going to leak ...»
again that's why i need to know how to find this stupid leak , the studs aren't rotted all the way but the corners are starting so i want to fix it before it gets to bad..no the entire wall was not replaced everything looked good then...the house was built in 1994 and unlike other florida homes it is a frame house not block, and it is a load barring wall. Thanks for the input never thought about the flashing, we have tried recaulking , anything else you can think of is great thanks to you both

on Sep 11, 2011 · Like 0
Nichter's Home Services C... Islesboro, ME

Siding is not a water proof finish, tho many assume it is. I have personally SEEN water run uphill on walls when the rain is wind driven. It can easily find a way in thru the siding. So it is essential that the secondary water barrier is intact and that it is lapped the right direction. This is a very common fault caused by cheapo subcontractors working to get it covered fast before anyone sees the shortcuts. There are even thousands of homes that have been built with NO tarpaper or ...»
housewrap such as Tyvek behind the siding. Then there are those who lap it the wrong direction or cut slits in it just to be juvenile. I have fixed this same situation close to a dozen times.
The only way to discover exactly how and where the wall is leaking and to get it fixed is to take the window trim and siding off that area and replace it, this time doing it right and not depending solely on caulk.
Almost every window manufacturer has details showing proper sequence for windows and housewrap available, and they conduct classes for tradesmen, because when there is a leak near a window, the owner often blames the window manufacturer first, though it is usually the fault of the contractor doing sloppy work

on Sep 11, 2011 · Like 0
Pat F Kissimmee, FL

thank you for your help thats what we thought that the window wasn't in right we came every evening to check the contractors work so we know that they did wrap the house in tar paper before the mess and stucco we're now thinking that it's all the window cause it seems to be only below the window the studs above are fine maybe they tore the tar paper in that corner i guess we have to get someone to check the window installation thanks for all your help

on Sep 12, 2011 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

To add a bit to Nichters great comments....replacement windows are incredible causes for leaks. Unlike a "original" Window these are often installed as quickly as possible ( think cheap) Removing siding and resetting flashing etc. is one area that often gets by-passed. With your home being built in '94 the widow is most likely an original, so this may not be an excuse. But more of a poor initial install. This pics shows how it should have been done. First layer is House wrap. Second ...»
is the membrane type adhesive window flashing. Third layer is siding...then the siding is caulked...following the caulk comes the paint layers that add even more protection. There is no reason other than crappy work for a wall / window to leak.
on Sep 12, 2011 · Like 0
Pat F Kissimmee, FL

thanks kms your right it is the original window and being in florida they don't do side like up north after talking to you guys i'm thinking that after the wrap when they put the mess on for the stucco they did something wrong on that one corner of the window like maybe a nail to putting a hole in the flashing or something stupid like that will have to take a closer look now that you both have directed me with a little more knowledge will keep you posted if you come up with any other ...»
thoughts will be happy to review them thanks again for all the good info and help

on Sep 12, 2011 · Like 0
Nichter's Home Services C... Islesboro, ME

I REALLY feel like I could be of more help if you could post photos of that area, inside and out. So far I can only speak n generalities based on my experience, rather than specifics I see there

on Sep 13, 2011 · Like 0
Pat F Kissimmee, FL

i don't have anyway to post photos i'll ask around to see if the kids can do it will keep in touch thanks

on Sep 13, 2011 · Like 0
Courtier Construction Mount Dora, FL

Pat,
Here, in Florida the best way to fix the leak in your window is to remove the stucco at least 12" back, then bend the stucco lathe back by removing the nails/staples. You do not have to remove the lathe. You should have a corner bead if your windows are inset, but more than likely if you have a stick framed (wood) house, you have a flanged window which is attached to plywood sheathing. ...»
If you go to Lowes or Home Depot down the street from you, go to the window department and ask them for the window seal tape which is an aluminum backed roll of adheasve about 6 to 8 inches wide. Start at the bottom and place this over the window flange and onto the bare plywood. Do the sides next and then the top, overlapping each piece. Put the tar paper or house wrap back over the new tape and duct tape any rips in the house wrap. Bend the stucco lathe back in place and nail with roofing nails. Then I would suggest contacting a stucco installer in your area to finish. They will hace to install termination strips and will be able to match whatever finish you have. In Florida, Building Code requires that you have house wrap. The tarpaper that you saw installed was the vapor barrier for the stucco, which is never water tight. Good Luck.

on Sep 14, 2011 · Like 1
Pat F Kissimmee, FL

thanks so much i know things down here are so different than up north if it was siding or shingles i would not have any problem with the out side or fixing the studs and window but the stucco had me worried. since my last post and to the others who have helped me i want you know we removed the sheet rock from the inside to have a better look and thak goodness it's from the bottom corner to about the middle of the window that the studs are wet and just the 2 corner studs are rotten on the ...»
edges but the plywood side of the studs are dry so i thinking somehow the corner is the problem....as i dig more into it i'll keep u all posted thanks again for giving me courage to attack this....thanks again

on Sep 15, 2011 · Like 0

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the window is the front of my house has a small leak at first i was told the weep holes in the window were clogged so

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