Water leaks in at floor level when raining

Question

During a hard rain water leaks into room at floor level. I've had the grout line cleaned and resealed. During a recent rain, I observed the area where the water is entering from and I could hear water falling inside wall before appearing on floor. It doesn't appear to be the grout as I thought. Could it be the caulking/sealant around the outer window frame or what?

SLS Construction & Building Solutions LLC · Answer

It could be from there, an improper flashed joint, leak in the roof, etc... I would recommend having an experienced carpenter or an energy auditor come take a look at it - you could try posting some pics of the area, but sometimes the boots on the ground is the best

Johnnie Howze · Answer

Thanks SLS Construction for your prompt response. I'll take your advice, consult Angie's List and find a licensed professional to get this fixed.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Sounds as though the flashing on the window or door frame has been installed wrong. Many contractors cheat by installing caulking instead of properly flashing the windows, doors and sidings on homes. While caulk if that has failed will stop water from coming in, it really is only a stop gap method of repair. In fact caulking a properly flashed opening can cause water to enter if its not done properly. Many times people who do the caulking do not understand that doing the entire window or door can cause water to become trapped and leak into the framing.

Flashing trade is a dead art form. Years ago there were people that only did flashing work. But with the invention of tube caulking contractors stopped hiring them and opted for the cheaper less costly and time consuming method of sealing openings. This is not to say caulk does not have a place, it does, but its not the cure all for properly installing windows and doors in their openings.

A few years ago I was asked to determine how water was coming in around a window every time it rained. The house was clad with a man made stone front. The window was over calked to a point that it was becoming ugly on the outside. The more they caulked the worse it got. But the owner was desperate into stopping the water entry. What was happening was the stone wall was allowing water to seep through the wall system. The asphalt paper installed behind the stone was done incorrectly and the window wrap was installed over the paper and not under it. And the window flashing was done incorrectly. So when water leaked through the stone wall it got behind the window wrap and flashing's causing the leak. Had they properly flashed and did not caulk the window the leak would never had occurred.

Get that licensed pro in and determine exactly what is going on.

Hamtil Construction LLC · Answer

Is this an exterior wall? You mentioned hearing water falling inside the wall, which I would suspect would not be possible if the wall is insulated. If it is an interior wall, most likely a roof flashing, chimney flashing, or roofing itself? I have seen the rubber flashing around a plumbing vent deteriorate many times over the years, but usually it leads to only a small leak.

SLS has the best advice. Hire a qualified professional to come out and track it down.

Lagree Wyndham · Answer

This happened to my neighbors new house...brick and flashing were improperly installed, it happened on wall were roof to garage tide into wall of main house.

Regina Caddie · Answer

Water just coming up from floor

Ron32431779 · Answer

Ann|The Apple Street Cottage · Answer

I would contact a licensed contractor to come look at it.

Annie · Answer

Here's another Hometalk thread that might have some helpful info for you! https://www.hometalk.com/diy/floors-ceilings/q-during-a-hard-rain-water-leaks-into-room-at-floor-level-44344874

Redcatcec · Answer

Bring in a professional contractor, see if you can get one to visit while this is happening.

Johnavallance82 · Answer

Yes it could be! Do you have a rain bar across your threashold and a Rainwater deflector across the outside bottom of your door too? All would help!

Water leaks in at floor level when raining

During a hard rain water leaks into room at floor level.?

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Water leaks in at floor level when raining

During a hard rain water leaks into room at floor level.?

Suggested Project Book