Quick fixes like caulk or weather stripping can get you through a rough patch, no argument there. But honestly, if water’s actually getting in around the window, I’d be a little wary about just slapping something over it and calling it good. Sometimes that just hides a bigger problem—rot, flashing issues, or even settling. I’ve seen folks spend more later because they waited too long to dig deeper. Not saying don’t do the temp fix, but maybe pencil in a real look as soon as you can... moisture’s sneaky.
I had a similar situation with my back porch window last spring. At first, I figured a bead of caulk would do the trick—seemed like the obvious move. But after a couple of rainstorms, the damp patch on the sill kept coming back. That’s when I realized it was probably more than just a draft or a tiny gap.
Here’s what worked for me: first, I did the quick fix with caulk and weather stripping to keep things dry in the short term. But then, as soon as I had a dry weekend, I pulled off the interior trim and checked for any signs of water damage or rot. Turns out, the flashing outside was installed wrong—water was sneaking in behind the siding. If I’d just kept adding caulk, I never would’ve found that.
If you’re noticing actual water (not just air) getting in, I’d definitely recommend doing a little detective work beyond the surface. Temporary fixes are fine, but they’re just that—temporary. Sometimes you gotta dig a bit deeper to keep your energy bills and repair costs from creeping up later.
I get where you’re coming from—everyone jumps to caulk, but honestly, it’s just a Band-Aid if water’s already getting in. I had to yank out a chunk of drywall last winter because I kept ignoring the root cause. If there’s any sign of moisture, it’s worth digging around for hidden issues like bad flashing or rotted framing. Trust me, fixing that now beats dealing with mold or a huge repair bill down the road.