Water around your window isn’t something to shrug off. Left alone, it’ll rot wood, stain drywall, and turn into a bigger headache than it needs to be. The trick is figuring out if the problem is simple maintenance or if the window has reached the end of its road. Here’s how to narrow it down.
Start with the source. A “window leak” isn’t always the window. Sometimes the water sneaks in from the roof, siding, or a bad flashing job above the opening and only looks like it’s coming through the frame. Before blaming the glass, trace the water path.
Check the caulking. If it’s cracked, dried out, or missing, water will find its way in. A fresh bead of quality exterior caulk often does the trick.
Look for blocked weep holes. Those tiny slots at the bottom of the frame are designed to drain water. If they’re clogged with dirt or paint, the window becomes a fish tank. A quick clean with a pin or compressed air can save you a lot of grief.
Inspect the weatherstripping. If you can feel a draft, the seals are probably shot. Replacing them is cheap and straightforward.
Don’t ignore the walls. Stains, bubbling paint, or soft drywall around the window usually mean the flashing or siding is to blame. That’s a bigger job, and at that point you’ll want a professional.
Be honest about age. If your windows are decades old and falling apart, patch jobs won’t cut it. Replacement may actually save you money in the long run.
