Possible Causes of Leaks Around Your Windows

While it is never good to have water leaking into your home, a leak that comes from your windows can be especially disconcerting. There are several different reasons why this could happen. A carpenter in Ottawa can determine the cause and suggest a possible solution to the problem. Here are some issues that could be behind the leaks.

Condensation

This is not a water leak but an air leak. Condensation in or on your windows happens when warm water vapour from the inside meets colder air from the outside. As the water vapour cools, it transforms from a gas back into a liquid, causing drops to form on the glass. Poor insulation around your windows could be to blame. If the windows appear to be leaking even without rain, this is probably the reason.

A window often consists of two different panes of glass. The space in between them is filled with argon gas. This produces a barrier that prevents heat transfer. If there is damage to the seal around the glass, the argon can leak out. If you are seeing condensation in between the two panels of glass, this is likely the reason.

Wall Leaks

When you see water damage near a window in your home, it is easy to assume that the window is letting water in. However, this is not necessarily the case. Sometimes there may be damage to the wall, the roof, or the siding that allows water to get in, and it appears that the window is the source of the leak because of its proximity to the stain. It is a good idea to call professional repair services in Ottawa so that the technicians can determine the real source of the leak. That way, you do not waste time and money on interventions that don’t address the actual problem.

Sealant

Sealant around windows typically consists of caulk. This is applied along the edges of the window to prevent leaks of both air and water. It is a common cause of window leaks but is often overlooked. Caulk is fairly durable, but it is susceptible to damage. For example, a window that receives exposure to sunlight is more likely to experience a caulking failure. This is partly because the heat can damage the caulk directly but also because the glass of the window may expand and contract with changes in temperature, putting pressure on the caulk. The sealant material may also dissolve with exposure to chemicals such as paint stripper. Fortunately, this problem is fairly easy to fix by simply running a new bead of caulk along the sides of the window.

Flashing

Throughout the house, there are joints where two surfaces come together. For example, when a window is installed into a hole in the wall, there are tiny cracks in between the two. Flashing is a type of waterproof material intended to bridge the gap so that water cannot get inside. Flashing that is damaged, missing, or improperly installed may allow water to get in through the cracks when it rains. You may see the leaks from improper flashing anywhere around your window, but they are most likely to be at the top. You can’t see the flashing easily because it is underneath the siding or whatever covering you have on your home’s exterior. It is supposed to overlap the house wrap to prevent water from getting through, but a lot can happen during installation, and later, that can affect this.

Hire a Carpenter in Ottawa From Handyman Connection

You may be able to repair some window leaks yourself, but others require more complex work from professional repair services in Ottawa. Contact Handyman Connection for carpentry and other home repair and renovation services.