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

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katied52
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(@katied52)
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"Weather stripping flexes better with seasonal shifts...might save you from redoing this again next year."

Good call on the weather stripping—I hadn't thought about window movement before. Last year, I just slapped some caulk around mine, and guess what? Same leak popped up again this spring. Now I'm thinking maybe the frame shifted slightly with temperature changes. Might give weather stripping a shot this weekend...hopefully that'll finally stop the sneaky rain. Thanks for the tip!

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gardening_sonic
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(@gardening_sonic)
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Caulk can be great, but honestly, it's not always the magic bullet people think it is. I've seen plenty of windows shift just enough to break that seal, especially if they're older or wood-framed. Weather stripping definitely has more give to it, so it can handle those little seasonal movements better.

"Last year, I just slapped some caulk around mine, and guess what? Same leak popped up again this spring."

Yep, sounds about right. Had a client who kept caulking the same window every year—swore by it until he finally got tired of the annual ritual. We switched him over to weather stripping and haven't heard a peep since. That said, make sure you're getting decent quality stuff—some of the cheap foam strips degrade pretty fast, especially if they're exposed to direct sunlight or harsh weather.

And hey, if you still end up with leaks after weather stripping, double-check your flashing and drainage around the window. Sometimes the sneaky rain isn't coming from where you think it is...

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Posts: 9
(@lisablogger)
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Had the exact same issue when I moved into my place. Thought caulk would be the quick fix, but nope—leak came back with a vengeance next rainy season. Switched to weather stripping after reading up on it, and it's held up way better so far. Still, I'm keeping an eye out...old houses seem to have their own ideas about where water should go, haha. Good luck!

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Posts: 7
(@wafflesking41)
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Weather stripping can definitely help, but honestly, if the leak's persistent, it might be worth checking the flashing above the window. Had a similar issue—turned out water was sneaking in from higher up...just something else to consider before you call it solved.

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finnbarkley303
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(@finnbarkley303)
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Good point about the flashing—I had a similar headache last spring. Thought weather stripping would do the trick, but nope...still had water sneaking in. Turned out the flashing was fine, but the caulk around the window frame itself had cracked. Quick tip: scrape off the old caulk completely, clean thoroughly (trust me, dirt ruins adhesion), and apply a fresh bead of silicone caulk. Worked like a charm for me, no leaks since.

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(@mfluffy73)
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"Quick tip: scrape off the old caulk completely, clean thoroughly (trust me, dirt ruins adhesion), and apply a fresh bead of silicone caulk."

Definitely agree with this advice—cleaning is key. I'd just add a couple of extra pointers from experience. When you're scraping off the old caulk, use a plastic scraper or putty knife instead of metal if you can. Metal tools can scratch up the frame, especially if it's vinyl or painted wood. Learned that the hard way myself, haha.

Also, when applying the new silicone caulk, cut the nozzle at a slight angle and keep the bead steady and even as you go along the frame. Afterward, smooth it out gently with your finger dipped in soapy water (dish soap works great). Makes it look neat and professional, plus helps seal better.

And yeah, weather stripping usually helps with drafts more than leaks. If water's sneaking through, caulking is usually your best bet. Glad you got yours sorted out!

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gmartin20
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(@gmartin20)
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Afterward, smooth it out gently with your finger dipped in soapy water (dish soap works great). Makes it look neat and professional, plus helps seal better.

Good points about the plastic scraper—I wish I'd known that before scratching up my vinyl frames last summer...lesson learned. I'm not totally sold on smoothing with fingers though, silicone sticks everywhere. I prefer a cheap caulk tool, less messy and smoother finish IMO.

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Posts: 11
(@sonicl49)
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I've tried the finger method before—soap or not, it still turns into a sticky mess for me. Couple quick thoughts:

- A dampened sponge (the dense kind, not the fluffy ones) works surprisingly well. Less sticking and pretty smooth finish.
- Agree on the plastic scraper, but I've also found that painter's tape around edges beforehand saves a ton of cleanup hassle.

Just my two cents...

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language496
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(@language496)
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"A dampened sponge (the dense kind, not the fluffy ones) works surprisingly well. Less sticking and pretty smooth finish."

Ha, wish I'd read this tip before my last caulking disaster. I usually end up with more caulk on myself than the actual window frame. Tried the soap trick too, but somehow it always turns into a sticky nightmare—like wrestling with chewing gum.

Painter's tape is definitely a lifesaver though. Last time I skipped it, thinking "how bad could it be?"... famous last words. Spent half an afternoon scraping dried caulk off the glass with a razor blade and muttering regrets under my breath.

Weather stripping can be great if your window has some movement or gaps that shift seasonally. Caulk tends to crack over time if there's even slight movement, so stripping might hold up better long-term. On the other hand, if it's just a small gap and you want something quick and tidy-looking, caulk (done right) can be cleaner visually.

One thing I've learned from experience: don't cheap out on caulk quality. The difference between the bargain bin stuff and a decent silicone-based one is night and day—especially when you're dealing with moisture sneaking in. Trust me, nothing worse than having to redo a messy job because water found its way back in after just one rainy season.

Anyway, good luck keeping the rain out—hope your next attempt doesn't leave you glued to your tools like mine usually does...

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Posts: 23
(@boardgames_katie)
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Totally agree on painter's tape—learned that lesson the hard way myself. Couple quick things I'd add:

- Silicone caulk is great, but cleanup can be a pain. Keep some mineral spirits handy.
- Weather stripping works better for windows that open frequently. Caulk's better for stationary frames.
- If you're dealing with bigger gaps, foam backer rod helps a ton. Saves caulk and makes the job neater.

Good luck...hope you stay dry next storm.

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