Good suggestion about the water test—I've done that myself a few times. Just keep in mind, though, that sometimes leaks only show up under heavy rain conditions. A slow pour might not replicate the real-world scenario fully...worth considering before you rule out caulking entirely.
"sometimes leaks only show up under heavy rain conditions."
Definitely true—been there myself. A quick water test didn't reveal anything, but come the next big storm...surprise leak. A combo of caulk and weather stripping ended up doing the trick for me. Weather stripping's great for drafts, but caulk is your friend when it comes to sneaky water intrusion. Might be worth tackling both while you're at it—better safe than soggy, right?
"Weather stripping's great for drafts, but caulk is your friend when it comes to sneaky water intrusion."
Couldn't agree more on this point. I had a similar issue last spring—light rain was fine, but heavy storms meant towels and buckets by the window. Initially, I thought weather stripping alone would handle it, but after a few frustrating attempts, I realized caulk was the real MVP. Weather stripping definitely helps with airflow and minor moisture, but caulk seals those tiny cracks that water loves to sneak through under pressure. Just make sure you get an exterior-grade silicone caulk; it handles temperature swings better and stays flexible longer. Also, don't rush the application—clean surfaces thoroughly and let it cure fully before testing again. It can be a bit tedious, but trust me, it's worth the extra effort to finally enjoy a dry windowsill during storms. Good luck—you've got this!
Totally agree—caulk is key for water issues. A couple extra tips from my recent experience:
- Check the window frame carefully; sometimes water sneaks in higher up and runs down inside the wall.
- Don't overlook the exterior trim and siding joints around the window—those tiny gaps can be sneaky culprits.
- Use painter's tape for cleaner caulk lines (learned this the hard way...).
Good luck, hope you stay dry next storm.
Good points above, especially about checking higher up—I once chased a leak for days only to find water was actually coming from a tiny gap in the siding two feet above the window. Lesson learned: always start higher than you think... water travels weird paths.
That's exactly why I usually recommend doing a quick hose test before grabbing the caulk gun. Start spraying gently from the bottom around the window edges and slowly move upwards, checking carefully as you go. Sometimes you'll spot water sneaking in from a surprising spot—like behind trim or siding joints. Saves a ton of frustration later on. Curious though, has anyone here had luck using flashing tape above windows instead of relying solely on caulk or weather stripping? Seems like it might offer better long-term protection...
You're spot on with the hose test—it's saved me more than once from chasing leaks in circles. Flashing tape above windows can definitely be a solid upgrade, especially if you're dealing with persistent water intrusion. I've seen it hold up better over time compared to caulk alone, which tends to crack or shrink eventually.
But here's the thing... flashing tape isn't foolproof either. If it's not installed correctly or if the siding above isn't properly layered, water can still find its way behind it. I've had jobs where homeowners thought flashing tape was a magic fix, only to discover later that improper installation caused even bigger headaches down the road.
So yeah, flashing tape is great—just don't skip steps or rush through prep work. Make sure everything overlaps correctly and that your siding and trim are directing water away from the window opening. Caulk and weather stripping still have their place too, especially for sealing smaller gaps or areas where tape isn't practical.
You're definitely right about installation being key. I remember helping a friend who thought flashing tape was the ultimate fix for his drafty windows. He slapped it on quickly without prepping properly, and sure enough, next rainy season we were back at square one—water sneaking in again. Lesson learned: patience and prep work matter just as much as materials. Glad you brought that up, it's easy to overlook when you're eager to fix a problem fast.
Good points on prep, but honestly, flashing tape isn't always the best choice for windows anyway. In my experience:
- Caulk tends to hold up better for sealing smaller gaps around window frames—especially if water intrusion is the main issue.
- Weather stripping's great for drafts, but if you're already seeing water, it might not solve your problem completely.
- Flashing tape can degrade faster under direct sunlight or extreme weather compared to a good silicone caulk job.
Been there myself... ended up redoing it right with caulk after wasting time on tape.
"Weather stripping's great for drafts, but if you're already seeing water, it might not solve your problem completely."
Yeah, totally agree with this point—weather stripping is more of a quick fix for air leaks rather than serious moisture issues. If water's already sneaking in, you'll probably want to go beyond just surface-level sealing.
From my experience, here's what I'd suggest:
1. First, double-check the outside window framing and siding. Sometimes the real culprit is higher up—like damaged siding or improperly installed flashing above the window. Water can travel down and show up around the window frame, tricking you into thinking the window itself is the issue.
2. If everything checks out above, prep the area properly before applying caulk. Scrape away any old caulk or paint residue, then clean thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or a similar solvent. Skipping this step is tempting (been guilty myself...), but trust me, the caulk won't adhere properly otherwise.
3. Choose a high-quality silicone or polyurethane caulk that's specifically rated for exterior use and UV exposure. I've found polyurethane caulks tend to stay flexible longer outdoors, especially in areas with extreme temperature swings.
It's a bit more work upfront, but doing it right saves you from redoing it later... learned that one the hard way myself.