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Leaking window. How to fix?

last year

My very large trapezoid window leaked, and my window installer finally came and re-caulked all around it about a month ago. (Picture only shows the bottom section of the trapezoid window, and the small rectangular window before it.) He did not pull the window out and re-install it. When I asked him what had been the problem, he said that some of the caulk had been cracked, and he thought that might have been the issue. Because the window is on my second-story, he had to rent a lift to reach it (cost $1,500). The trim that I had was all molded, and the new trim that they had did not fit so I have had to wait for new trim to arrive.


Fast forward to today. We had a heavy rain last night, and this morning my window is leaking like a sieve. I drew an arrow to where the water appears to be coming in. I can see that he caulked the window on the inside, and I assume that he caulked it as well on the outside.


What is the issue and what should be done to fix it?




Comments (23)

  • PRO
    last year

    Can we get some more pictures and some shots from outside?

    HU-910663146 thanked Windows on Washington Ltd
  • last year

    here is more, including one before the window stopped leaking and I mopped up the water










  • PRO
    last year

    These are new replacement windows?


    Do you know what was caulked?


    After everything drys, using a hose to spray the window is a common way of finding the area that's leaking. Did the installer return to check his work?

  • last year

    I assume that you've contacted your installer + sent photos of the leaking water. What was his response?

  • last year

    The window was installed May 2019. It was a replacement window. The installers came once to the house and caulked around it a few years ago. The wood trim around the window began molding, and the window manufacturer representative kept telling me that it was condensation. April 2024, I noticed it leaking really badly and contacted my installer. It wasn't until last month (September) that the installer finally came to repair it. They caulked around it, but as you can see, that didn't help.

  • PRO
    last year

    So the water is coming in between the glass and frame on the larger upper window?

    HU-910663146 thanked HALLETT & Co.
  • last year

    It appears to be coming from beneath the frame immediately surrounding the window.


    I have sent a video to my installers, which is more helpful than these still pictures. It sounds to me like a re-install is required too, but I am obviously not an expert.

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Window needs to be pulled. New proper head flashing, preferably siding pulled back and the opening wrapped and then the window reinstalled.

    HU-910663146 thanked millworkman
  • last year

    The following is for informational purposes only - it is not legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.


    Your installer is responsible for not installing it correctly. Regardless of any warranty provided in your contract, they are still responsible. There will be a statute that has been enacted where . you live that covers renovations/services/repairs at residential properties. The statutes in each jurisdiction are not identically drafted - however, they should require that the work is done in a good and workmanlike manner.


    In my state, that wording has been interpreted by the courts to = in accordance with all laws, codes, ordinances, manufacturer's specifications + industry standards.


    Depending upon where you live, you may be able to file an action for breach of contract (it depends upon how long the statute of limitations is) and/or an action for negligence. Negligence statutes also have different statutes of limitations depending upon the state, however, they typically do not begin to run until the negligence is discovered (or should have been discovered).


    Since you are just now being told that the window may not have been installed properly, if that is true, the statute of limitations would not have started running until now. In my state, the statute of limitations for negligence is two years from the date of discovery. Your state may be the same or may be longer.


    In my state, the statute of limitations is five years for a written contract - so, unless your window was installed at the end of Oct 2019 (or in Nov or Dec), the statute of limitations would have run. However, your state may have a longer statute of limitations for breach of contract than in my jurisdiction.

    HU-910663146 thanked dani_m08
  • last year

    Picture of original install. I don't imagine that installer is going to like re-installing. At least $1500 to rent lift.



  • last year

    Well, they should have installed it correctly in the first place - then there would be no need to spend another $1,500 to rent the lift.

    HU-910663146 thanked dani_m08
  • last year

    Very true Dani. But still, not pleasant for them.


    What I find disturbing is how the window manufacturer representative, who should know a lot, would appear to have covered for the installer for a long time by claiming it was condensation. Had I not kept pushing on this and been "lucky" enough to spot the window leaking and video it back in April, I imagine that I would be eating the expense for a big repair down the road.

  • last year

    " I don't imagine that installer is going to like re-installing. At least $1500 to rent lift."


    it is the ONLY way in the long term to stop the water. Period. Stop.

    HU-910663146 thanked millworkman
  • PRO
    last year

    Could have done that window off ladders and walk board.


    That said...are we sure the window isn't leaking through the glazing bead if it is showing right betweent he units? Either way, needs to be water tested.

    HU-910663146 thanked Windows on Washington Ltd
  • PRO
    last year

    ^^^ WOW that’s what I was thinking not a flashing issue. Full disclosure not a window professional like you guys! Regardless should be repaired and likely under warranty?

    HU-910663146 thanked HALLETT & Co.
  • last year

    " It appears to be coming from beneath the frame immediately surrounding the window. "


    That statement was what led me to make my statement but could be thru the glazing bead as well.

    HU-910663146 thanked millworkman
  • last year

    If it is through the glazing bead, then it doesn't need to be re-installed?

  • last year

    No it would not, but you need to find out why and have it resealed. Hopefully it is not because the sash is warped or similar.

    HU-910663146 thanked millworkman
  • last year

    There is a "dip" in part of the window (see right hand corner). I have pointed this out to the installation people several times, and they brush me off. Could this be causing the problem? The trim (or whatever it is called) immediately below the window (the top row that you see the mitering on in the picture) is not affixed tightly to the window--I can press it with my finger and move it. Could this be the problem?


    My installer is coming this Saturday to hopefully fix this. Meanwhile it has been raining hard nearly every day.


  • last year

    No that is basically pure esthetics. Caulk on the interior does nothing as that means the water is inside already.

    HU-910663146 thanked millworkman
  • PRO
    last year

    "replacement window" makes me concerned.


    Most window manufacturer's have abundant specifications on the installation of their new construction windows


    Some replacement lines I've researched (for an expert witness task) are suspiciously absent of these.


    When I found you tubes by a franchised replacement window company's' installations it was shocking. Relies on caulk. Not acceptable IMO but usually gets them beyond warranty responsibilities.


    HU-910663146 thanked Jeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
  • last year
    last modified: last year

    It is a Provia window and was $10K