Glad you figured it out—sounds like a satisfying fix. Did you notice any drafts or cold spots around those windows before you tackled the insulation? I've been suspecting something similar at my place, but haven't gotten around to checking behind the trim yet. Mold hasn't shown up (yet), but your story makes me think I should probably take a peek sooner rather than later...
I had a similar issue last winter—noticed some cold air seeping in around the window frames, especially on windy days. Didn't think much of it until I pulled off the trim and found moisture buildup behind there. No mold yet, thankfully, but it was definitely headed that way. Adding some spray foam insulation and resealing the edges made a noticeable difference. I'd say it's worth checking sooner rather than later... better to catch it early before mold decides to move in.
Yeah, good catch on that. Spray foam definitely helps seal things up tight. I've seen this happen a lot—people underestimate how sneaky moisture can be around window frames, especially older ones. Another thing to watch out for is clogged weep holes at the bottom of vinyl windows. Had a client once whose windows were practically swimming inside because those tiny drainage holes got blocked with dirt and grime... quick cleanout saved him from a moldy disaster. Worth checking those too while you're at it.
I've run into that weep hole issue before—pretty sneaky problem. But here's something else I've wondered about: anyone tried using those moisture-absorbing silica packets tucked into window frames as an extra precaution? Curious if that would help or just be overkill...
I've actually thought about the silica packet thing myself before. At first glance, it seems like a clever hack—those little packets seem to pop up everywhere, right? But honestly, from my experience, I don't think they'd do much good in this particular scenario.
Here's why: silica packets are great for enclosed spaces where there's limited moisture intrusion—think shoeboxes or electronics packaging. But window frames, especially around weep holes, are constantly exposed to moisture from outside air, rain, condensation, and temperature fluctuations. Those tiny packets would probably get saturated within days, if not hours, and then they're basically useless until you dry them out again. You'd be swapping them out constantly...which sounds like a hassle.
Plus, if you're already dealing with mold or moisture buildup around your windows, it's usually a sign of a bigger issue—like improper sealing, clogged weep holes (as you mentioned), or poor ventilation. Silica packets might temporarily mask the symptoms but won't really address the root cause.
I had a client once who tried something similar—he stuck a bunch of those silica gel packs into his basement window wells thinking it'd help keep things dry. Spoiler alert: it didn't. They turned into soggy messes pretty quickly and he ended up having to fix the drainage issue anyway.
If you're looking for extra precautions beyond keeping weep holes clear and ensuring proper sealing, I'd suggest focusing more on improving airflow or maybe even using a dehumidifier nearby if humidity is consistently high. Those approaches tend to be way more effective long-term.
Still, gotta give points for creativity—it's always worth exploring new ideas! Just don't think this one's gonna pan out practically speaking.
Fair points about silica packets, but do you really think improving airflow alone would solve persistent mold issues? I've seen situations where proper sealing and drainage mattered way more than ventilation tweaks...maybe it's a combo of both?
"I've seen situations where proper sealing and drainage mattered way more than ventilation tweaks...maybe it's a combo of both?"
Yeah, I think you're onto something there. Airflow definitely helps, but relying on ventilation alone won't cut it if moisture keeps seeping in. Had a similar issue myself—kept cleaning mold off my window frames, thinking better airflow would fix it. Turned out the real culprit was tiny gaps in the caulking letting rainwater sneak in. Once I resealed everything properly and improved drainage outside, the mold stopped coming back.
So, I'd say it's definitely a combo deal. Ventilation helps dry things out, but if water's still getting in, you're fighting a losing battle. Check your seals carefully, especially around older windows. Sometimes even tiny cracks can cause big headaches down the line.
"Ventilation helps dry things out, but if water's still getting in, you're fighting a losing battle."
Exactly. Had a client once who kept installing fans and vents, convinced airflow was the magic fix. But until we sealed up those sneaky little gaps around the frames, mold just kept popping back... gotta tackle moisture at the source first.
Yeah, sealing gaps is key, but have you checked if there's proper flashing installed above the windows? I've seen cases where homeowners keep patching around frames, yet water sneaks in from above because the flashing was done incorrectly or missing altogether. Sometimes the source isn't obvious at first glance... Did you notice if the mold was worse after heavy rains or storms?
"Sometimes the source isn't obvious at first glance... Did you notice if the mold was worse after heavy rains or storms?"
Good point about the flashing—I had a similar issue last year. Kept sealing around the frames, but turns out water was sneaking in from above. Once I fixed the flashing, problem solved. Have you also checked your gutters? Mine were clogged and overflowing, causing extra moisture around windows. Might be worth a quick look up there...