"Had a client once who replaced all the caulk only to find out later that worn-out weather stripping was letting water seep in during heavy storms."
Yeah, weather stripping can be sneaky like that. Have you checked if the window frame itself might be warped or damaged at all? Sometimes that's the hidden culprit behind persistent leaks...
"Sometimes that's the hidden culprit behind persistent leaks..."
Could be, but honestly, I've seen situations where the flashing above the window was improperly installed or damaged. Had a similar issue myself—spent ages on caulk and stripping before realizing water was sneaking in from above...
"spent ages on caulk and stripping before realizing water was sneaking in from above..."
Yeah, that's a good point. I've run into something similar myself—homeowner swore it was the caulking, but turns out the siding above had warped just enough to channel rainwater right behind the window frame. Caulk won't fix that. Honestly, before you spend more time sealing things up, might wanna check what's happening higher up...could save you some headache later.
That's spot on, actually. Had a similar issue last spring—thought it was the window seal failing, but turned out the flashing above was installed wrong and funneling water straight down behind the siding. Have you checked if there's proper flashing or drip edge above your window? Sometimes builders skimp on that stuff, and no amount of caulking or weather stripping will fix it... learned that the hard way myself.
Good point about the flashing—it's often overlooked. But before jumping to conclusions, have you considered the possibility of condensation rather than direct water intrusion? I had a similar issue a couple of winters ago and spent ages chasing down leaks that weren't actually there. Turned out the humidity inside was too high, causing moisture to collect around the window frames and drip down, mimicking a leak. A simple humidity gauge helped me pinpoint it. Not saying that's definitely your issue, but it's worth ruling out before you start pulling siding or flashing apart. Have you noticed if the problem gets worse during colder weather or after running showers or cooking? Sometimes these things aren't as straightforward as they seem...
That's a solid point about condensation—seen it plenty of times myself. But I'd still lean toward checking the flashing first, especially if the issue pops up mostly during heavy rain or wind-driven storms. Had a client last fall who swore up and down it was humidity because the problem seemed worse after showers and cooking. We spent a good week chasing our tails with humidity gauges and dehumidifiers, only to find out later that the flashing had been improperly installed during a window replacement. Water was sneaking in behind the siding and pooling around the frame, causing exactly the symptoms you're describing.
Not saying condensation isn't possible—it definitely is—but don't underestimate how sneaky water intrusion can be. Flashing issues can mimic condensation pretty convincingly, especially if the leak is small or intermittent. I'd suggest starting with a careful visual inspection outside before you dive into tearing things apart...trust me, your siding (and wallet) will thank you later.
"Not saying condensation isn't possible—it definitely is—but don't underestimate how sneaky water intrusion can be."
Yeah, totally agree here. Ever tried the garden hose test? I've had luck pinpointing sneaky leaks by gently spraying around windows from outside while someone watches inside. You'd be surprised how often a tiny gap in flashing or caulk lets water creep in. Condensation's tricky too, but if it's mostly during storms...I'd bet on an exterior issue first. Worth a shot before you start ripping things apart, right?
Garden hose test is handy, but honestly, I've had times where it didn't catch the leak. Sometimes wind-driven rain hits angles you just can't replicate with a hose. Might need to watch during an actual storm to really nail it down...
Had a similar issue on a client's house last fall. We ran the hose test twice—nothing showed up. Then a week later, a storm blew in from an odd angle and water started dripping right in. Turned out the flashing above the window was slightly bent, letting wind-driven rain sneak behind the siding. Sometimes you just gotta wait for nature to show you exactly what's going on...
Had pretty much the same thing happen to me. Caulked around the window twice, still leaked when the wind blew just right. Finally climbed up and checked the flashing—sure enough, it was slightly lifted on one side. Bent it back down, sealed it properly with some roofing sealant, and that did the trick. Caulk or weather stripping won't always help if water's sneaking behind siding or trim from above. I'd suggest checking above your window carefully—especially the flashing and any nearby siding joints. Sometimes the source isn't obvious until you get up close and personal with it...