Good points about checking higher up, but honestly, I've seen cases where the issue wasn't even exterior. Sometimes condensation buildup inside the wall cavity can mimic a leak. Might wanna peek behind drywall or insulation if you're still stuck...
Had something similar happen a couple winters back—thought my window seals were shot, but turns out it was condensation building up inside the wall. Took forever to figure out because everything outside looked fine. Ended up pulling off some drywall and found soaked insulation behind it. So yeah, definitely worth checking behind the drywall if sealing around the window doesn't fix things...might save you some headaches down the road.
That's a good point about condensation—I hadn't even thought of that. Did you end up putting in any kind of vapor barrier or moisture-resistant insulation when you replaced the drywall? I've heard mixed opinions on whether that's necessary around windows, especially if you're dealing with condensation rather than actual leaks. Curious if anyone else has experience with that...
"I've heard mixed opinions on whether that's necessary around windows, especially if you're dealing with condensation rather than actual leaks."
Yeah, condensation can be tricky. In my experience, adding a vapor barrier around windows isn't always necessary unless you're in a particularly humid climate or dealing with significant temperature differences. Moisture-resistant insulation, like closed-cell spray foam, can help reduce condensation issues by sealing air gaps and providing better thermal performance. But honestly, proper ventilation and ensuring the window itself is well-sealed usually does the trick without needing to go overboard with barriers.
Condensation around windows is definitely one of those sneaky issues that can drive you nuts. I agree with the earlier point—vapor barriers aren't always the magic bullet people think they are, especially if you're just dealing with condensation rather than actual leaks. I've seen folks go all-in with barriers and still end up scratching their heads when moisture shows up again.
Honestly, the best results I've had came from making sure the window itself was properly sealed and insulated. Closed-cell spray foam is great stuff, but even simpler fixes like weather stripping or a good bead of caulk can make a huge difference. A few years back, I had a client who swore he needed a full vapor barrier setup because his windows were constantly fogging up in winter. Turned out his windows weren't sealed properly at installation—just some sloppy caulking work from whoever put them in originally. We redid the caulk, added some basic weather stripping, and boom...problem solved.
Also, ventilation is key. If your house isn't breathing right, moisture's gonna find somewhere to settle—usually on your windows first. Even cracking open a window slightly or running an exhaust fan occasionally can help more than you'd think.
So yeah, don't stress too much about going overboard with barriers unless you're dealing with extreme humidity or temperature swings. Most times, simple solutions and proper sealing do the trick just fine. Good luck—window moisture battles can be annoying as heck, but they're usually pretty manageable once you pinpoint what's really going on.
"Even cracking open a window slightly or running an exhaust fan occasionally can help more than you'd think."
Totally agree with this. Had the same issue last winter—thought I'd need major repairs, but just improving ventilation and touching up the caulk did wonders. Hang in there, you'll get it sorted.
Ventilation definitely helps, but if water's actually getting in, I'd lean more toward weather stripping. Had water sneak in a couple years back—tried re-caulking first, didn't solve it. Finally replaced the old weather stripping around the frame, and that stopped it completely. Caulk's good for minor drafts and small gaps, but for actual leaks during rain... weather stripping usually does the trick better. Worth checking out before things get worse.
"Caulk's good for minor drafts and small gaps, but for actual leaks during rain... weather stripping usually does the trick better."
Yep, learned that lesson the hard way myself. Had a stubborn leak last spring, caulked it twice—no luck. Swapped out the weather stripping and boom, dry windows since. Sometimes simple fixes win.
Good call on weather stripping—had a similar issue myself. Caulk seemed to work at first, but after a few heavy rains it cracked and leaked again. Weather stripping was way better long-term. Curious though, has anyone tried those window film kits? I've seen them at the hardware store...wonder if they're worth the hassle or just gimmicky.
I've installed a bunch of those window film kits for clients, and honestly, they're pretty decent if you set them up right. The trick is making sure the window frame is super clean first—no dust or grime—or the adhesive won't stick properly. Also, use a hairdryer to shrink the film tight; it makes a huge difference in appearance and effectiveness. They're not a permanent fix like weather stripping, but definitely helpful as an extra barrier. Has anyone noticed if they help much with drafts too, or just moisture?