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

Yeah, warped frames are sneaky. Had something similar happen - thought it was just old caulk, but turns out the whole frame had shifted slightly. Did you notice any sticking or trouble opening the window before spotting the leak? That's usually a giveaway...

Yeah, sticking windows are definitely a common symptom of frame shifting. Another subtle sign I've noticed is uneven gaps around the sash - sometimes they're barely noticeable until you really look closely. Also, if the leak seems worse during windy rainstorms, it might indicate compromised weather stripping rather than just caulk issues. Frames can shift slightly over time due to temperature fluctuations or settling foundations, so it's always worth checking alignment carefully before jumping straight to resealing.

Good points about alignment and weather stripping. One quick way to check alignment is to open the window slightly and measure diagonally from corner to corner - if the measurements differ noticeably, you've got some shifting. Have you noticed any drafts when the window's closed tight?

Great tip on measuring diagonally - I hadn't thought of that before. I've found drafts can sneak in even if alignment seems okay, especially around older windows. Had a similar issue last fall; alignment checked out fine, but turns out the weather stripping had flattened over time. Replaced it, and the difference was night and day. Curious if your window is older or newer... maybe age plays a bigger role than we realize?

Had the same thing happen with my windows - alignment seemed spot-on, but weather stripping was shot. Mine were about 15 years old; newer ones probably hold up better, but seems like even quality stripping eventually flattens or cracks over time... worth checking regularly.

"seems like even quality stripping eventually flattens or cracks over time... worth checking regularly."

Yeah, totally agree with this. I replaced mine about two years ago after noticing some water sneaking in during heavy storms. Thought it was alignment at first too, but nope - weather stripping was toast. One thing I'd add is to check the caulking around the outside frame as well. Mine looked fine at a glance, but when I poked around, it was brittle and cracked in spots. Quick recaulk job made a noticeable difference.

Good call on checking the caulking too - often overlooked. Curious though, did you use silicone or acrylic-based caulk? I've found silicone holds up better outdoors, but it's a pain if you ever need to redo it later...

"I've found silicone holds up better outdoors, but it's a pain if you ever need to redo it later..."

You're spot-on about the silicone holding up better outdoors. I totally get what you mean by it being a pain to redo, though - it sticks like crazy! One thing I've found helpful when using silicone is to prep the area really well beforehand. If you clean it thoroughly with rubbing alcohol and let it dry completely first, the silicone adheres better and lasts longer. Plus, using painter's tape around the edges can make cleanup and future removal a bit less frustrating.

Acrylic-based caulk definitely has its place, especially if you're painting over it or working indoors, but from my experience, it tends to crack and shrink outdoors faster than silicone. I learned this the hard way a couple of winters ago when my windows started leaking again after just one season. Ended up having to redo the whole thing - lesson learned, haha.

Also, if you're dealing with persistent leaks, you might want to double-check your weather stripping too. A lot of times, people overlook that because it seems like the caulk should handle everything, but weather stripping is fantastic at sealing those sneaky little gaps that pop up as things shift around over time. I recently upgraded mine to some adhesive-backed foam stuff, and it's made a noticeable difference in drafts and moisture creeping in.

Anyway, sounds like you're on the right track already. It's great to see someone taking the initiative to keep their space energy-efficient and comfortable. Good luck with the rest of the project!

Silicone definitely lasts longer outdoors, but I switched to polyurethane sealant last year - it's flexible, sticks well, and easier to remove later if needed. Weather stripping helped too, but the sealant solved most of my leak issues around windows. Worth considering if silicone's giving you trouble.

Totally agree on the polyurethane - silicone drove me nuts last summer. Couple quick things I learned the hard way:

- Don't skimp on prep. Clean the surface properly or you'll redo it next season (ask me how I know...).
- Weather stripping's great for drafts, but heavy rain? Meh. Sealant was the real MVP.
- Keep some painter's tape handy. Makes cleanup way less annoying.

Good luck - hope your windows stay dry longer than mine did!

"Weather stripping's great for drafts, but heavy rain? Meh. Sealant was the real MVP."

Interesting, I had the opposite experience - weather stripping actually held up pretty well for me during heavy storms, but maybe it's because my windows are newer. Curious, did you notice if the gap size or window age played a role in how effective the sealant was? Wondering if that's why our outcomes differed...

Yeah, window age and gap size definitely matter. I've noticed weather stripping does great if the gaps are small and even, but once you get uneven or larger gaps, sealant usually wins out. Had an older window in my garage that leaked like crazy during storms - weather stripping barely helped, but a good bead of silicone sealant stopped it cold. Probably why your newer windows handled weather stripping better...

Had a similar issue with an old basement window - weather stripping was useless because the frame was warped. Silicone sealant did the trick, but man, applying it neatly was a nightmare. Ever tried painter's tape to keep the lines clean?

Painter's tape is definitely a lifesaver for clean lines, especially if you're not used to working with silicone. But honestly, even with tape, silicone can still get messy if you're not careful. One trick I've found helpful is dipping your finger in a bit of soapy water before smoothing the bead - it keeps the silicone from sticking to your skin and gives you a smoother finish. Still, warped frames are always tricky...sometimes it's worth biting the bullet and replacing the window altogether if the leaks keep coming back.

I've had decent luck with silicone, but honestly, weather stripping has been a game changer for me. A few years back, I kept battling leaks around an older window - tried silicone multiple times, but the frame was just too warped. Switched to weather stripping and haven't had issues since...might be worth a shot before replacing the whole thing.

Totally agree with weather stripping being a better solution in many cases, especially if you're dealing with warped frames or older windows. Silicone caulk can be great for sealing small gaps or cracks, but once the frame itself is compromised or warped, silicone alone usually won't cut it.

Here's what I'd typically recommend to clients facing this issue:

First, inspect the window closely - open and close it a few times and see exactly where the gaps are forming. Sometimes it's not obvious until you really look closely. If the frame is warped, silicone tends to just mask the problem temporarily because it doesn't flex enough to accommodate movement or shifting.

Next, clean the area thoroughly before applying weather stripping. Dirt, old paint flakes, or leftover silicone residue can prevent proper adhesion. A quick wipe-down with rubbing alcohol usually does the trick.

When choosing weather stripping, go for something flexible and durable - EPDM rubber or foam tape works well. EPDM is particularly good because it stays flexible in extreme temperatures and holds up well over time. Foam tape is cheaper and easier to apply but might need replacing sooner.

Apply the weather stripping carefully along the edges of the window sash or frame where you identified gaps. Press firmly to ensure good adhesion. If you're using foam tape, avoid stretching it as you apply - it'll shrink back later and leave gaps again.

One thing I'd add from experience: sometimes leaks aren't just about sealing around the window itself. Check above your window too - sometimes water sneaks in from higher up (like from damaged siding or flashing) and travels down inside the wall cavity, appearing around your window frame. I've seen homeowners chase leaks around windows for months only to find out later that the real culprit was faulty flashing above.

Anyway, weather stripping is definitely worth trying before you jump into replacing windows entirely. It's cost-effective, easy enough for most DIYers, and often solves the problem long-term...or at least buys you a few more years before needing a full replacement.

"EPDM rubber or foam tape works well. EPDM is particularly good because it stays flexible in extreme temperatures and holds up well over time."

Good points, but I've found that vinyl V-strip weather stripping is often overlooked and can actually outperform foam tape. It's durable, flexible, and less prone to compression over time...might be worth considering too.

Good info on the EPDM, hadn't thought about how well it holds up in extreme temps. Makes sense, though - I've had foam tape compress and lose its seal after just a couple harsh winters. Vinyl V-strip is interesting too; used it a few years back on an older casement window and it's still holding up great. I wonder if the shape of the window or the gap size matters much in choosing between EPDM and vinyl strips?

Also, has anyone noticed if vinyl V-strip handles moisture better? I've had foam tape absorb water sometimes, which obviously defeats the whole purpose... Curious if vinyl avoids that issue altogether. Anyway, good suggestions here - nice to have multiple solid options to tackle stubborn leaks.

Vinyl definitely handles moisture better than foam - never seen it soak up water like foam does. EPDM's great too, but vinyl V-strip seems to flex nicely into odd gaps. Wonder if anyone's tried combining both types on tricky windows...might be overkill, but hey, whatever works, right?

"Wonder if anyone's tried combining both types on tricky windows...might be overkill, but hey, whatever works, right?"

Funny you mention that - I actually did exactly that on a stubborn old casement window last fall. Here's what I found:

- Vinyl V-strip was great for sealing those weird uneven gaps. It flexed nicely and kept the drafts out.
- EPDM added a solid extra barrier on the sill and sides where water tended to pool during heavy rains.
- Combining both definitely felt like overkill at first (my wife teased me about "weatherstripping paranoia"), but honestly, it worked wonders.

One thing I'd caution though: make sure there's still enough clearance for the window to close properly. Learned that the hard way after installing everything and realizing the latch wouldn't fully engage...had to peel some back and re-do it.

Bottom line - if your window's particularly tricky or exposed, combining materials can be worth the hassle. Just don't go too crazy with layers or you'll end up like me, spending a weekend undoing your own handiwork.