Rain sneaking in around my window - caulk or weather stripping?

Water was running in behind the siding and finding its way down - never would’ve guessed.

That right there is the part most folks miss. I’ve chased leaks for clients where the entry was two stories up and the water just followed a stud bay all the way down. You’re spot on about caulk - slapping more on rarely fixes it long-term. It’s a pain, but tracking with a hose like you mentioned is the only way I’ve found to really nail it. You’re not alone in this kind of wild goose chase.

I hear what you’re saying about tracking with a hose, but I’ve got mixed feelings on that. Sometimes, water just won’t show up in a controlled test the same way it does in a real storm - wind-driven rain can sneak in spots you’d never expect. I’ve seen cases where the leak only happened in a sideways rain, not during a gentle hose test. Ever tried using talc or colored water to trace the path? Just curious if that’s worked for anyone else, because caulk and weather stripping are just band-aids if the flashing’s not right.

I get what you mean about the hose test not always matching a real storm. I’ve actually had the opposite happen once - hose test revealed a leak that never showed up in regular rain. Go figure. Haven’t tried talc, but I did use food coloring in water once to track where it was sneaking in. Ended up being the flashing, just like you said. Still, sometimes a quick caulk job buys you a season or two if you’re not ready to tear into the siding... not ideal, but it can help in a pinch.

Still, sometimes a quick caulk job buys you a season or two if you’re not ready to tear into the siding... not ideal, but it can help in a pinch.

I get the temptation for a quick fix, especially when you’re staring down a rainy forecast and don’t have time (or budget) for a full teardown. But I’d actually push back a bit on relying on caulk as a stopgap - sometimes it can make things trickier down the line. If water’s getting behind the siding or flashing, sealing it up with caulk might just trap moisture where you don’t want it. That’s when you start seeing rot or even mold issues, and then you’re looking at a much bigger headache.

Had a similar situation with an old double-hung window in my 1930s place. I tried caulking around the trim after spotting some staining inside. It worked for a while, but next spring I noticed the sill was starting to get soft - turns out water was still sneaking in from above and pooling underneath, just out of sight. Ended up having to pull off some siding anyway and redo the flashing properly.

Not saying caulk never helps - sometimes it really does buy you time - but I’d be careful about using it if there’s any chance water’s working its way in behind things. Sometimes weather stripping is better if the leak’s at the sash or frame joint itself, not behind the wall.

Curious if anyone’s had luck with those peel-and-stick flashing tapes as a less invasive option? I’ve heard mixed reviews but haven’t tried them myself yet. For me, tracking down exactly where that water’s coming from is half the battle... hose tests are useful, but like you said, they don’t always tell the whole story.

- Totally agree - caulk can sometimes just mask the real issue, especially if water’s getting in behind the siding or trim.
- Seen a few folks use peel-and-stick flashing tape as a patch, but it’s a mixed bag. If the surface isn’t prepped right, it doesn’t always stay put, especially in older homes where things aren’t square anymore.
- I usually recommend weather stripping for leaks at the sash or frame joints - quick, cheap, and you’re not trapping moisture inside the wall.
- One trick: if you suspect water’s coming from above, try running a hose over the upper trim and see where it shows up inside. Not perfect, but sometimes helps narrow it down.
- Honestly, sometimes the “quick fix” ends up being more work later... but when you’re racing a storm, I get it.

Weather stripping’s saved me a few headaches, especially in these old drafty windows. Quick to slap on, and way less mess than messing with caulk. Had a spot last fall where I tried caulking - looked fine until the next rain, then water just found a new path behind the trim. Sometimes you gotta chase leaks for a bit before you really nail it. Don’t get discouraged if the first fix doesn’t hold; sometimes it’s just trial and error.

Sometimes you gotta chase leaks for a bit before you really nail it.

That’s been my experience too. I’ve found that caulk alone rarely solves persistent water intrusion, especially if the window frame isn’t square or there’s hidden rot. Weather stripping is great for air leaks, but for water, sometimes you need to pull the trim and inspect for flashing issues. Quick fixes can hide bigger problems.

Had a customer once who swore up and down that “just a little more caulk” would do the trick. I must’ve come back to that house three times, and every time I pulled off the trim, there was just more soggy wood staring back at me. Turns out, someone had installed the window without any head flashing at all. Water was getting in from above, running behind the siding, and pooling right into the framing. No amount of caulk was gonna stop that.

I get the temptation to reach for the tube and hope for the best - cheap, quick, looks good for a minute. But if you’ve got water coming in, especially after a heavy rain, it’s usually not just a gap or two. Like you said, weather stripping is more for drafts... I use it all the time for those old wood sashes that rattle in the wind, but for leaks, it’s a different beast.

Sometimes you have to play detective. I’ve even used a hose on the outside while someone watches inside to see exactly where the water’s sneaking through. Feels a bit like a weird science experiment, but it beats tearing your hair out guessing.

And yeah, pulling off the trim can be a pain, especially if you’re worried about breaking something or opening up a can of worms. But nine times outta ten, that’s where you spot the real issue - bad flashing, missing house wrap, or just plain rot. I’ve seen “quick fixes” hide some gnarly stuff that ends up costing way more down the line.

Funny thing is, sometimes after all that, it’s something simple like a clogged weep hole. Go figure. But I’d rather know for sure than slap more caulk on and hope for the best.

I hear you on the “just add more caulk” thing. I did that for a while on my old bay window - looked fine for a few weeks, then the rain came back and so did the puddle on my sill. Here’s what worked for me: I started by checking the outside, then ran a hose (like you said) to spot where it was actually coming in. Ended up having to pull off some trim, which I dreaded, but found a rotten chunk behind it. Replaced that, added flashing tape, then caulked only where it made sense. Weather stripping didn’t do squat for the water, just helped with drafts. If you’re seeing water after heavy rain, I’d say skip the weather stripping and get ready to dig a little deeper - literally. It’s annoying, but honestly, I sleep better now knowing it’s fixed right.

Yep, caulk is just a band-aid if the real issue’s behind the trim or frame. I’ve seen way too many folks keep slapping on more, only to end up with a mess and still a puddle after every storm. Weather stripping’s great for drafts, but water finds its own path - usually right past any “quick fixes.” If you’re getting leaks, time to pull things apart and actually see what’s going on back there. It’s a pain, but you’ll only have to do it once if you do it right.

Yeah, I’ve seen people lay on the caulk like they’re icing a cake, hoping it’ll magically stop the leak. Usually ends up looking like a toddler’s art project and water still finds a way in. Sometimes you just gotta bite the bullet, pull off that trim, and see what’s actually going on back there. It’s not glamorous, but neither is mopping up after every rainstorm.

I get the urge to rip everything apart, but honestly, sometimes a careful bead of quality caulk is all it takes if the gap’s obvious and you prep right. I’ve fixed plenty of leaks without pulling trim - just gotta know when to stop and when to dig deeper. Not every job needs demo dust everywhere.

Couldn’t agree more about not needing to go full demo mode every time water sneaks in. I’ve chased a few leaks myself and yeah, sometimes it’s just a matter of a steady hand and a good tube of caulk - no need to break out the pry bar unless you’re sure it’s deeper. Prep’s everything, though. I once skipped cleaning the old gunk and paid for it with a soggy sill a month later... lesson learned. Sometimes less is more, as long as you’re thorough.

Funny timing, I just dealt with this exact issue last fall. My house is pushing 60 years, and those old wood windows love to surprise me after a heavy rain. I used to think weather stripping was the go-to, but honestly, unless you’re feeling a draft or seeing daylight, caulk usually does the trick for water sneaking in around the frame.

That said, you nailed it - prep is everything. I got lazy once and just slapped new caulk over the old, crusty stuff... ended up with more water than before because it never bonded right. Now I take the time to scrape it all off, clean with rubbing alcohol, and let it dry out before applying fresh silicone caulk.

If you’re getting water between the sash and the frame, then weather stripping might help, but most of my leaks have been from gaps around the exterior trim. Never hurts to check both, though. I always keep a flashlight handy for spotting trouble spots during a storm - sometimes you can see the water trail if you catch it early enough.

That’s interesting - you mentioning the prep work really hits home for me. I learned the hard way that skipping those steps can actually make things worse. My place is a ’72 split-level, and the windows are original, so I’m constantly chasing down little leaks and drafts. I used to assume weather stripping was the magic fix for anything window-related, but after a few rainy seasons, I realized most of my water issues were actually from failed caulk joints around the exterior trim, not between the sash and frame.

One thing I started doing - maybe a bit overkill, but it’s helped - is using a moisture meter after heavy rain to check the wood around the window. Sometimes you can’t see the leak, but the wood tells the story. If I find a spot that’s reading high, I’ll go outside and look for cracks or gaps in the caulk. I agree with you on the importance of removing all the old stuff. I tried just adding new silicone over the old, thinking it would save time, but it peeled up within a month. Turns out, silicone just doesn’t bond to old, dirty caulk.

I’m curious if anyone’s tried those newer hybrid caulks that claim to stick to almost anything. I’ve stuck to GE silicone because it’s what I know, but I wonder if the hybrids are any better for older wood frames that expand and contract a lot. Also, has anyone noticed a difference in energy bills after fixing these leaks? I swear my heating costs dropped a bit last winter, but maybe that’s just wishful thinking.

Anyway, I totally get the flashlight trick - sometimes you have to wait for a storm to really see where the water’s coming in. It’s always a bit of a detective game.

I tried just adding new silicone over the old, thinking it would save time, but it peeled up within a month. Turns out, silicone just doesn’t bond to old, dirty caulk.

Yeah, I learned that one the hard way too - thought I could just slap some fresh caulk on top and call it good. Didn’t even last through one real storm. But here’s where I’m a little skeptical: I’ve actually had mixed results with those “hybrid” caulks that are supposed to stick to anything. Used one (can’t remember the brand, but it was some polyurethane-silicone blend) on my 60s ranch windows and honestly, it stayed flexible but started pulling away from the wood after two seasons. Maybe it’s our wild temp swings here or maybe I just didn’t prep well enough, but old-school GE silicone has held up better for me.

About energy bills - I know everyone says sealing up leaks makes a difference, but in my case, the savings were pretty minor. Maybe my insulation is just lousy elsewhere. Either way, chasing drafts is a never-ending game with these older houses... sometimes feels like plugging one hole just makes another pop up somewhere else.

I hear you on the hybrid caulks. I tried one of those “all-weather” types on my bathroom window, thinking it’d solve everything, but it started cracking after just one winter. I’m starting to think the old formulas are more reliable, at least for my place. And yeah, prepping is such a pain, but skipping it just means you’re redoing the job sooner rather than later.

About the energy bills - same deal here. I spent a weekend chasing drafts and sealing up every window and door, expecting some miracle drop in my heating costs. Honestly, I barely noticed a difference. Makes me wonder if all those little leaks add up as much as people claim, or if the real culprit is the sad insulation in my attic.

Still, I can’t stand seeing water sneak in around the window, so I keep going back with the caulk gun. It’s like a weird game of whack-a-mole - fix one spot, and another problem pops up somewhere else. These old houses definitely keep you on your toes.

That’s pretty much my experience too - old windows just love to find new ways to leak, no matter how many tubes of caulk I go through. I’ve had better luck with the classic silicone stuff, but yeah, it’s all about the prep. If there’s any old crumbly caulk left, water will find a way in. Sometimes I wonder if weather stripping would help more for drafts, but for actual water leaks, I always end up back at the caulk gun. Oh, and the attic insulation thing? Totally agree - after finally adding some blown-in up there, my energy bills dropped way more than sealing every window ever did.

Sometimes I wonder if weather stripping would help more for drafts, but for actual water leaks, I always end up back at the caulk gun.

Couldn’t agree more - weather stripping’s great for stopping the chills, but water’s a different beast. Even with perfect caulk, though, I’ve seen leaks sneak in where window frames meet old siding. Prep’s everything, but sometimes these old windows just want to test your patience... or your wallet. Attic insulation is underrated for sure - funny how fixing something up top does more for comfort than all that fiddling with windows ever did.

I get what you’re saying about attic insulation - definitely made a difference in my place too, but for me, dealing with leaks around the window was a whole other headache. I actually had one spot where no amount of caulk seemed to help, and it turned out to be a flashing issue above the window. Sometimes it’s not even the window or siding itself, but something up higher letting water sneak behind everything. Fixing that finally did the trick for me. Just goes to show, sometimes it’s not the obvious fix…