Window Replacement Northern VA

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

I have a question for you all and please bear with me here. I had high quality vinyl windows installed a few years back and 2 weeks age we noticed the plywood sheathing was rotted directly under the exterior of the window along with a bunch of mold. In fact, there was mold and an actual hole in the sheathings because of the wood rot. Thats how rotted it was. Our association sent siders over to repair the rotted sheathing which they did by removing the vinyl siding and some tar paper. The siding guy( head guy) said water could of got through the window because there were screw holes that were not covered on the inside of the window jamb?

However, his worker who seemed to know what he was talking about said the screw holes were just screws that go into the jamb of the vinyl windows and were just missing plugs that are cosmetic. He said that would never cause water. He also said we had "drywall returners" or something or other on the inside and vinyl siding outside. He said the window installers seemed to have done a decent job and used quarter round moulding pieces on the inside and there would of been no way for the new window installers to of seen any rot on the outer walls becuase it was covered by vinyl siding. Inside looks fine by the way.

His view contradicts the "head" siding guy. He said it would of taken " alot longer than 3 years" for wood to completely rot through plywood like ours did and no way will that happen in just 3 years. He said although its under the window, the rot could of been caused by the original windows and the fact that ever since the new windows were installed, no water has ever come into our home. meaning if the new windows were a problem, we would of seen water.

He also implied water could of gone through the siding and maybe the tar paper wasnt layered properly? Anyone have their own view? My window company is very reputable and I am waiting for them to call me back. I kind of think the association doesnt want to admit that their original window wasnt installed properly or the siding/ tar paper wasnt installed properly.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

PRO
toddinmn
2 years ago
Is this happening on all the windows?

Is it still wet/damp or dry rotted?

How did you notice the sheathing was rotting? It is hard to say with no pics and not being there. Was there any pan/sill flashing? What about the the drip cap and flashing at the head? Sounds like this was a retro fit and not a full frame with nail fin install? In general the head flashing and drip does the work load of managing water the sides are secondary and the sill detail is the fail safe which directs anything that gets by to the exterior. Then we got the x factors such as roof design, gutter details, ect.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
2 years ago
The lead mechanic sounds like he knows his craft more than the guy that said the windows were rotting from some screw holes in the jamb.

The vinyl windows that were installed years ago likely have frames that are designed to weep any moisture out of the frame and the reality is that I have never seen a window leak from a jamb screw hole.

Depending on where the rot is showing, it very may well have not been visible to the window installer in this case. Any pictures of the exterior and some indications of where the leak/rot is showing?
Related Professionals
Newburyport General Contractors · Grand Rapids General Contractors · Rochester General Contractors · Birmingham Home Remodeling · Cambridge Home Remodeling · Columbia Home Remodeling · Waterloo Home Remodeling · Kearney Home Remodeling · Mesquite Home Remodeling · Fayetteville Interior Designers & Decorators · Athens Interior Designers & Decorators · Middlesboro Interior Designers & Decorators · California Interior Designers & Decorators · Bartlesville Interior Designers & Decorators · Great Falls Interior Designers & Decorators
Alison G
Original Author
2 years ago
they are twin double hung windows. the rot was smack in the center under the mull about 8 inches.

There was a nother twin directly below this twin and that had rot in the same exact area. it was these 2 twins facing front of house. We arent the origiginal owners and got new windows just after we moved in about 3 years ago. We never saw any water or leaking after the new windows were installed.

The one guy said its impossible for wood to be that rotted and mold in just 3 years. he thinks its old and either from original windows or some void in the siding. he also said maybe the tar paper wasnt lapped properly.

Our window company stopped by and said no way it was because of their window citing the same reasons as the siding guy. He also that amount of rot wouldnt happen in just 3 years.
PRO
toddinmn
2 years ago
The mulling could be a weak spot.
Alison G
Original Author
2 years ago
the mulls were on old vinyl windows. that could be the problem? the inner part of wall was all moldy as well.
PRO
toddinmn
2 years ago
It could have been part of the problem.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
2 years ago
Mull points, especially H-mulls, are notorious for leaking. If you actually add some picture of the areas in question, we can probably give you some additional feedback.