"I'm skeptical about those spray-on sealants you see advertised everywhere... they look too good to be true."
Ha, yeah, those spray sealants are pretty hit-or-miss. I've had clients swear by them for tiny leaks, but honestly, they're usually just a temporary band-aid. Your leaky window sounds like it might benefit from proper flashing or drip caps above the frame—silicone alone rarely holds up long-term. And you're spot on about drainage; clogged gutters are moss magnets. Improving drainage around windows and foundations can really help keep moss at bay... at least until the next rainy season rolls in.
"silicone alone rarely holds up long-term."
Totally agree with this. Learned the hard way after patching a basement window leak with silicone—lasted maybe two storms before it was dripping again. Proper flashing made all the difference... quick fixes rarely beat doing it right.
"quick fixes rarely beat doing it right."
Couldn't have said it better myself. Reminds me of a job I did a few years back—homeowner had tried sealing up a leaky window frame with silicone, thinking it'd hold through the rainy season. It looked okay at first glance, but once we pulled the trim off, the wood underneath was soaked and starting to rot. Silicone might seem like a quick and easy solution, but it doesn't address the root issue—water getting behind the frame. Proper flashing and sealing tape are key to keeping moisture out long-term. I get why people reach for silicone though; it's cheap, easy to apply, and seems like it'll do the trick. But honestly, spending a bit more time upfront saves you headaches (and money) down the road. Learned that lesson myself early on...
I get your point about silicone not being a permanent fix, but honestly, sometimes quick fixes have their place. Last fall, I noticed one of my windows leaking during a heavy storm. I knew the proper fix would involve removing trim, checking flashing, and probably replacing some wood. But with winter coming fast, I didn't have the time or budget right then for a full repair. So I went with silicone temporarily—just to buy myself some time.
The key, I think, is knowing it's temporary and not treating it like a permanent solution. I made a note to revisit it in spring, and when I finally did, the damage wasn't bad at all. A little dampness, sure, but no rot or major issues. I was able to properly seal and flash everything once the weather improved.
So yeah, silicone isn't ideal for the long haul, but it can be a decent stopgap if you're aware of its limitations and follow up later. Sometimes life just doesn't line up perfectly for the "right" fix right away...
I get where you're coming from, but honestly, silicone always makes me nervous. Had a similar issue with my back door frame last year—thought I'd patch it up temporarily, but ended up forgetting until it turned into a bigger headache. Maybe it's just me being forgetful, but quick fixes have a sneaky way of becoming permanent. Did you set reminders or something to keep yourself accountable? Curious how others manage not to let temporary solutions slip into long-term neglect...
I totally get the hesitation around silicone, but honestly, it's not always the villain here. I've used it plenty of times without issues—key is prep work and proper application. Did you clean and dry the surface thoroughly before applying? Also, temporary fixes turning permanent usually happens when there's no clear plan for a permanent solution. Maybe instead of reminders, it's about setting a specific date or event (like "before winter hits") to revisit the issue? Seems to help me stay on track...mostly.
I've had my share of silicone adventures too—honestly, prep really is everything. Last year, I tackled a leaky basement window during a rainy weekend (classic timing, right?). Cleaned it thoroughly with rubbing alcohol, let it dry completely, then applied silicone in thin layers rather than one thick bead. Worked like a charm. Agree about setting deadlines though...I told myself I'd revisit before spring storms hit, and surprisingly, I actually did. Sometimes just having that mental checkpoint helps keep the quick fixes from becoming permanent solutions.
Totally agree about prep being key—it's funny how often people underestimate that step. Your silicone story reminded me of a client I had a couple years back. They'd tried sealing their bathroom window frame themselves, but it kept leaking every time there was heavy rain. When I checked it out, turns out they'd skipped cleaning the surface properly and just slapped silicone over old caulk residue and dirt. No wonder it didn't hold up.
Anyway, after scraping everything off (which was a pain, let me tell you), I cleaned the area thoroughly with mineral spirits instead of rubbing alcohol—just personal preference, but I've found it cuts through grime really well and evaporates quickly enough to keep things moving along. Then I applied silicone in two thin layers, letting the first one cure overnight before adding the second. It might seem like overkill, but layering really helps ensure a solid seal without air pockets or weak spots.
Also totally relate to your point about deadlines and mental checkpoints. I've seen way too many "temporary" fixes become permanent simply because people forget or procrastinate revisiting them. Had one homeowner who used duct tape around a cracked skylight as an emergency fix during a storm...and then left it there for almost two years until it started leaking again (shocker). By then, water damage had spread into the ceiling drywall and insulation—turned into a much bigger job than if they'd just circled back sooner.
So yeah, setting yourself reminders or deadlines—even if they're just mental notes—is definitely smart. It keeps those quick fixes from quietly morphing into expensive headaches down the line. Plus, there's something satisfying about actually following through on those little promises we make ourselves...makes you feel like you've got your life together, at least temporarily!
Your mineral spirits tip is spot-on—I switched to that myself a while back and haven't looked back since. It's funny how often people rush prep work, thinking they're saving time, only to end up doubling their workload later. And yeah, those temporary fixes...been guilty of that myself. Learned the hard way that setting reminders really does help avoid bigger headaches down the road. Feels good when you finally tackle something you've been putting off, doesn't it?
Couldn't agree more about prep work being underrated. I tried a quick fix on my drafty windows last winter—just slapped on some weatherstripping without cleaning the frames properly. Seemed fine at first, but after a month it started peeling off and letting cold air right back in. Ended up doing the whole thing again properly with mineral spirits and all. Lesson learned: shortcuts rarely pay off...especially when you're trying to save energy and money.