I actually tried the IR camera thing after our windows went in last fall, and wow, it showed a couple cold spots I never would've noticed otherwise. The installer swore up and down everything was sealed, but right at the bottom corners there were these blue streaks on the camera. I ended up pulling off some trim and, sure enough, there was a gap where they skipped the sill flashing. If you’re curious to check your own, you can rent an IR camera from some hardware stores. Just run it on a chilly morning—makes any leaks super obvious. Definitely worth the extra step, even if it feels a bit over-the-top at first.
- IR cameras are a game changer for spotting what’s hidden—totally agree there.
- I’ve seen a lot of “sealed” installs where the bottom corners get skipped. Sometimes it’s just laziness, other times it’s lack of training.
- Sill flashing is non-negotiable, especially in colder climates. Skipping it leads to rot down the line... seen it more than I’d like to admit.
- IR rental is smart, but even a cheap handheld temp gun can sometimes show the worst leaks if you’re on a budget.
- Not over-the-top at all—catching it now saves headaches later.
I’ve always wondered how many “sealed” installs are just for show—like, it looks good on the walkthrough but you find cold spots a month later. IR is great, but I’ve had mixed results with temp guns; maybe I’m just not patient enough. Sill flashing gets overlooked way too often, especially by crews in a hurry. Is it just me, or do some installers treat caulk like it’s magic and skip the basics? I’d rather be paranoid now than pay for repairs in five years...
Is it just me, or do some installers treat caulk like it’s magic and skip the basics?
- 100% agree—I've seen guys just run a bead and call it good, but if the flashing's wrong, it's pointless.
- IR cameras are solid, but yeah, temp guns can be finicky. I’ve had to double check readings more than once.
- Sill flashing matters way more than most folks realize. Missed it once on a rental and paid for it later (rot under the trim... not fun).
- I’d rather have a few extra tubes of caulk left over than risk leaks, but nothing replaces proper prep.
It’s not being paranoid, it’s just learning from mistakes—mine and other people’s.
Funny thing, I’ve actually seen installers skip the pan flashing entirely and just rely on caulk. Drives me nuts. Caulk’s only as good as the surface it’s on—and it moves, cracks, shrinks. IR cameras are great for finding missed spots, but you’re right, temp guns are hit or miss. I learned the hard way too: rot under a bay window because the installer thought a thick bead of silicone was “good enough.” Never again… now I double-check every step, even if it slows things down.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve had guys swear up and down that a fat line of caulk will “seal it for life,” but two winters later, I’m scraping out soggy drywall. Pan flashing isn’t optional in my book—if they skip it, I’m showing them the door. Funny how folks will gamble with someone else’s house just to save a few minutes.
Man, you nailed it—pan flashing is one of those things that’s invisible when it’s done right, but boy, you’ll sure notice when it’s missing. I’ve seen way too many “miracle caulk jobs” that look great for a season and then you get that telltale bubbling paint or soft spots under the window. Had a guy once tell me, “I’ve been doing it this way for 20 years.” I just kind of shrugged and thought, maybe you’ve been doing it wrong for 20 years, buddy.
Honestly, I get why some folks try to cut corners. Sometimes they’re just in a rush, or maybe they learned from someone who didn’t know better. But the homeowner’s the one who ends up paying for it, usually after the second or third rainstorm. I always say, a little extra time up front saves a lot of drywall and headaches down the road.
Not saying caulk doesn’t have its place, but relying on it as your main line of defense is just asking for trouble. Especially in spots where snow piles up or wind drives rain sideways. I live in the Midwest, and we get that nasty freeze-thaw cycle—water sneaks in anywhere it can, and once it’s trapped, you’re looking at mold or rot before you know it.
It’s good you’re holding your ground on the pan flashing. Some folks think you’re being picky, but really, you’re just protecting your investment. I wish more people realized how much grief a simple piece of flashing can save. And yeah, it’s wild how some guys will roll the dice with someone else’s house to shave off twenty minutes. Never made sense to me.
Anyway, keep trusting your gut. If something feels off with an installer, it probably is. I’ve learned that lesson the hard way more than once.
Not saying caulk doesn’t have its place, but relying on it as your main line of defense is just asking for trouble.
Couldn’t agree more. I had a contractor try to talk me out of pan flashing because “the caulk will handle it.” Sure, until it doesn’t. I live in an old brick house and after one winter, water found its way right past the caulk—ended up with warped trim and a nasty musty smell. It’s wild how often people skip steps that are invisible but so critical. Sometimes I wonder if it’s lack of training or just hoping no one notices... Either way, you’re right—gut feelings matter. If something feels off, it usually is.
It’s wild how often people skip steps that are invisible but so critical.
You nailed it there. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve opened up a wall or window and found nothing but wishful thinking holding back moisture. Pan flashing isn’t just “extra”—it’s the difference between a dry sill and a call-back job six months later. Trusting your gut is huge in these situations, even if you get pushback. Sometimes it’s just someone cutting corners to save time, sometimes they really don’t know better, but either way you did the right thing questioning it.
Yeah, pan flashing is one of those things you only notice when it’s missing and suddenly you’re dealing with a soggy mess. I’ve seen “pros” just slap in a window with a bead of caulk and call it good—no sill pan, nothing. Drives me nuts. I get that not everyone geeks out over the details, but skipping those steps always comes back to bite someone (usually the homeowner). Sometimes I wonder if folks just don’t want to admit they don’t know how it’s supposed to be done...