When the forecast calls for rain, are you more likely to plan a relaxing day indoors or prepare to mop up the water that will seep through your doors and windows?
If you fall into the latter category, you should know that there are solutions to your water leak problems.
In this article, our building insulation and weatherproofing specialists give you their tips on how to combat water leaks around doors and windows.
Step 1: Recognize the signs of water leaks around windows and doors
Often, water leaks around windows and doors start long before they are detected. Still, when water intrusion problems are discovered at an early stage, they are relatively simple to fix.
That’s why it’s important to know how to recognize the first signs of water seepage around windows and doors:
- Mold and fungus
- Swollen floors
- Swollen walls
- Peeling paint
- Stains and discoloration
- High humidity
- Decaying door and window materials (e.g., the wood framing)
Step 2: Determine the cause of the water leak
If you want to solve your water leakage problem, the next step is to identify the cause. Generally speaking, water infiltration around windows and doors is caused by one of the following three situations:
Doors and windows that are too old or damaged
Doors and windows that are too old or damaged no longer do their job. In fact, the wear and tear of time and exposure to the elements have an impact on their parts, to the point where they can no longer ensure the sealing of the building shell and allow water to seep in.
For example, old wooden window frames can warp or crack, creating gaps where water can pass through.
If you suspect that your infiltration problem is related to the age or advanced state of deterioration of your doors and windows, you will have to make a difficult decision: remove your old doors and windows and install new ones that are well sealed or use waterproofing products to stop the problem from progressing and postpone renovations until later.
Defective caulking around the perimeter of doors and windows
Water coming in through door and window frames can also be caused by faulty caulking. There are several reasons why caulking can lose its effectiveness:
- UV exposure
- Significant temperature changes
- Loss of volume
- Loss of elasticity
- Cracks appearing
- Loss of adhesion
- Poorly made joints
- And even more
When the problem lies with the caulking, the good news is that it can be fixed fairly easily with a sealant designed for window and door perimeters.
Bad door and window installation
When installing doors and windows, construction workers need to be very thorough. Otherwise, the homeowner could face water leaks due to misaligned windows and doors.
Window and door installation should always include the application of insulation and caulking to the exterior of the window and door.
Step 3: Stop the water intrusion
As stated above, the strategy you use to stop water leaking around your doors and windows will depend on the cause of the leak.
If your doors and windows are in poor condition, the best thing you can do is replace them with new ones. This also gives you an opportunity to check the condition of any framing materials that may have been damaged by water. When installing new windows and doors, make sure that you or your contractor use window and door foam insulation and a professional grade silicone sealant.
If the problem stems from faulty caulking, you’ll need to redo it properly. However, you should make sure that you are not simply covering up a deeper problem.
Adfast helps you solve your water leaks
In conclusion, there are as many ways to combat water leaks around windows and doors as there are reasons why they occur.
That said, Adfast sealants are among the many solutions you can apply to a water ingress problem of this kind. If you want to find the right product for your application, check out our product finder or ask our experts for advice.
