Had something similar happen last spring. Spent hours sealing around the window, convinced I'd nailed it. Next storm, water still trickling in. Turned out the gutter above was overflowing just enough to drip behind the fascia, run down behind the siding, and pop out at the window. Fixed the gutter slope and problem solved. Ever checked if your gutters are draining properly or if there's any sagging spots?
"Ever checked if your gutters are draining properly or if there's any sagging spots?"
Good point—gutters are sneaky like that. Had a similar mystery leak last fall, turned out leaves had clogged the downspout just enough to back up water during heavy rain. Cleared it out and added one of those cheap gutter guards... no issues since. Might wanna peek at the flashing above the window too, sometimes water finds its way in behind there.
Gutters are definitely culprits, but I'll throw something else into the mix—window trim. Had a pesky leak myself last year, spent ages fiddling with gutters and flashing, only to realize the window trim had tiny gaps letting rain sneak in behind the siding. A quick bead of caulk around the trim edges did wonders.
Also, if your house has vinyl siding, give it a gentle tug around the window frame—sometimes those sneaky little channels behind the siding can funnel water right where you don't want it. Learned that one the hard way after a weekend of head-scratching and cursing at clouds...
Just saying, might save you some frustration (and soggy drywall) if gutters aren't your issue. Good luck tracking it down!
Good call on checking the trim—it's surprising how often those tiny gaps cause big headaches. Caulk is usually my go-to for sealing around window trim, especially if you're dealing with vinyl siding. Weather stripping is more for movable parts like window sashes or doors, so it probably won't help much here.
One thing I'd add: make sure you're using a quality exterior-grade silicone or polyurethane caulk. Acrylic-based stuff tends to crack or shrink over time, especially in areas exposed to direct sunlight or temperature swings. Learned that lesson after revisiting a job I thought I'd nailed perfectly...only to find cracks a year later.
Also, don't forget to check the flashing above the window. Even a small bend or gap there can channel water behind your siding and trim. I've seen plenty of cases where homeowners sealed everything around the window beautifully, but missed a sneaky flashing issue higher up.
Anyway, sounds like you're on the right track—just keep an eye out for those sneaky little details. Good luck!
Good tips here, especially about the flashing—hadn't thought to check that yet. Quick question though: is there a trick to neatly applying silicone caulk? Last time I tried, it got messy real fast...
Been there myself, silicone can quickly turn into a sticky mess if you're not careful. A trick I learned the hard way: always use painter's tape on both sides of the joint first—it sets clear boundaries and makes cleanup way easier. After applying a thin bead, wet your finger with a bit of dish soap and water, then smooth it gently in one continuous motion. Peel off the tape right away, before the caulk sets. Trust me, saves a ton of headache later...
"Peel off the tape right away, before the caulk sets."
Wish I'd read this earlier—I left the tape on overnight thinking it'd be cleaner, and ended up peeling off chunks of dried silicone. Lesson learned, I guess... Does weather stripping have similar pitfalls?
Weather stripping's a bit different—no tape drama, but it's got its quirks too. Main issue I've run into is adhesive backing not sticking well if the surface isn't spotless or dry enough. Had one job where I rushed cleaning the window frame and ended up with weather stripping peeling off after a couple weeks. Prep thoroughly, make sure it's bone dry, and press firmly along the entire length...should hold up fine after that.
Had a similar issue with weather stripping last year. Even after prepping thoroughly, moisture still got in behind it somehow. Ended up switching to silicone caulk—bit messier, but it sealed perfectly and hasn't leaked since. Might be worth considering if stripping gives you trouble.
Interesting you mention silicone caulk—I had a slightly different experience. A couple years back, I sealed around my windows with silicone thinking it'd be a permanent fix. Worked great at first, but after a year or two, it started peeling away in spots, especially where the sun hit hardest. Maybe it was just the brand I used or my application technique, who knows... but it made me reconsider weather stripping again.
Ended up going back to stripping, but this time I chose a higher-quality foam tape and spent extra time making sure the surface was spotless before applying. Surprisingly, it's held up pretty well through some heavy storms. Makes me wonder if sometimes it's less about the product itself and more about prep and quality?
Not knocking silicone entirely—just sharing that it wasn't the magic bullet for me. Maybe climate or window material plays a bigger role than we think?