Asked on May 17, 2017

Why is this window seeping and can it be stopped?

Cassandra
by Cassandra
Hello, my front door and sidelights have windows in them. One of the sidelights and the door have a sticky goo seeping from under the window moulding. I tried the clean it and paint it (yes, bright purple....) but in a month or two it started again. At that time I tried caulking it with a silicone exterior window and door caulk with the intent to repaint the door this spring (something a little less bright...). By then the sticky stuff had pooled under the caulk which had sprung a leak and was a mess
I picked it off and left it to research it. I have had no luck. I don't want to ruin my next paint job, but can't seem to stop it! Can anyone help?
  8 answers
  • FL FL on May 17, 2017

    It sounds like one of two things. Your entire window no longer has a seal within its frame within your door or the window frame. That is usually a caulking fix. The second problem could be that the actual panes of glass need to be re-glazed or sealed into the wood or metal frame they are in because that seal is no longer a tight seal. Here is a site for each of the possibilities, but there are video tutorials online as well. To re-caulk a window in a door or frame: http://www.dummies.com/home-garden/home-improvement/windows/how-to-seal-windows/  ;(Illustrations, tips, easy to read) To re-glaze a window pane into its frame: https://www.familyhandyman.com/windows/repair/how-to-glaze-a-window-single-pane/view-all  ; (this is a step by step guide with photos).

    I hope this helps! Good luck!

  • William William on May 17, 2017

    It looks like the adhesive used to glue the glass in the door is being softened by heat and leaking out. If the molding can be removed you can clean the goo off, reseal window with caulk and replace the molding. Most steel doors are filled with polyurethane foam for insulation. Heat can soften it up and break it down.

  • Dio23623213 Dio23623213 on May 18, 2017

    you have a very bad water leak. the white you see is the water washing the drywall away. you need to remove the inner trim seal the gap between the frame and the window with a rubberized compound or you can use spray foam. reinstall the trim and you should be good to go.

  • Charly Charly on May 18, 2017

    I have exactly the same problem. When we bought the house in 2003, we noticed the molding piece around the window had lifted ever so slightly. Not a deal breaker. But...every year it has gotten worse. To the point that the molding piece has curled up and the sticky stuff just runs down the door. We've tried cleaning with GooGone. Re-gluing the trim. Re-caulking. I even when to Lowe's and asked the "expert" in the door department and he said that the heat from the sun is the culprit but unless I know the name of the manufacturer, there is nothing that can be done. So research I did and I am ordering a new trim frame for the door. Hopefully it will stop the insulation from leaking out once it's installed. But William from Burbank is absolutely right. He is such a knowledgeable man. You can't go wrong listening to his advice.

  • Melanie Melanie on May 18, 2017

    Quick fix... Flexseal. Long term... remove, replace.

  • Cassandra Cassandra on May 18, 2017

    I think replacement is the best option too. But budget fix is in order for now....

  • Ken Ken on Mar 06, 2024

    We could use a really good answer/solution to this issue. Our door has been installed since 1994 and continually oozed and cleaned. But other than North Carolina summers it doesn’t get overly hot. The only sun heat it gets is before 800am in the WINTER; That’s NOT heat. Planning to refinish door or replace but why do it if we will wind up with same issue? Tired of not fixing stuff!

  • Deb K Deb K on Mar 10, 2024

    Hi Cassandra, it looks like the adhesive that holds things in place is melted and seeping out, if these are newer windows contact the manufacturer, if they are older I would say they may be at their life's end. You can call the company and ask them what they will do for you