Caulking exterior window trim to keep out water from coming inside?

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Oct 26th, 2020 8:32 pm

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Oct 17th, 2020 11:40 pm

SPACEMANRICK [OP]: Sr. Member; Mar 14, 2006; 946 posts; 346 upvotes; Coquitlam

Oct 17th, 2020 11:40 pm

Caulking exterior window trim to keep out water from coming inside?

We plan to replace our window trim and repaint our house in the Spring of 2021. In the meantime one of our window trims is starting to rot and the caulking around the trim has started to break away from the window trim. I caulked around that entire window (top of trim, right side of trim, left side of trim, and bottom side of trim) last week to try to hold off any water entering the house until we re-trim our windows in the Spring.

3 days after I caulked around the window and after some rain I noticed some brown water marks on the interior window ledge on that specific window. I don't recall seeing brown water marks on the interior window ledge before I caulked the exterior trim last week and it seems like my caulking last week seems to have now made the water enter our house where it wasn't really a problem before. Someone once told me that I shouldn't caulk on the underside of the window trim......Is that what I did wrong or if not what should I do to stop the water from entering from the window?

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Oct 18th, 2020 12:29 am

TomLafinsky: Deal Addict; Feb 11, 2018; 1463 posts; 1192 upvotes

Oct 18th, 2020 12:29 am

How about posting pics to make sure there is no misunderstanding?

The more harm you do to others, the more harm you do to your own self.

Oct 18th, 2020 10:43 am

sickcars: Deal Guru; Mar 13, 2004; 11022 posts; 2820 upvotes; Toronto, Ontario

Oct 18th, 2020 10:43 am

Post some photos, But yes ideally you need to leave a space at the bottom so IF water enters somehow it can escape through the bottom.

SPACEMANRICK wrote: ↑ We plan to replace our window trim and repaint our house in the Spring of 2021. In the meantime one of our window trims is starting to rot and the caulking around the trim has started to break away from the window trim. I caulked around that entire window (top of trim, right side of trim, left side of trim, and bottom side of trim) last week to try to hold off any water entering the house until we re-trim our windows in the Spring.

3 days after I caulked around the window and after some rain I noticed some brown water marks on the interior window ledge on that specific window. I don't recall seeing brown water marks on the interior window ledge before I caulked the exterior trim last week and it seems like my caulking last week seems to have now made the water enter our house where it wasn't really a problem before. Someone once told me that I shouldn't caulk on the underside of the window trim......Is that what I did wrong or if not what should I do to stop the water from entering from the window?

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Oct 18th, 2020 1:28 pm

SPACEMANRICK [OP]: Sr. Member; Mar 14, 2006; 946 posts; 346 upvotes; Coquitlam

Oct 18th, 2020 1:28 pm

Here are some photos that I just took today. The spoon on the ledge is the area where I found the brown water color marks 2 days ago. It rained quite heavy last night but there were no water marks this morning ..... perhaps the rain and wind was not blowing towards the window last night???

Excuse the poor caulking job but I haven't really caulked before and I did it last week when it was starting to get dark outside. Thanks for any advice and help offered!

Oct 18th, 2020 2:03 pm

torontotim: Deal Addict; Nov 17, 2012; 3079 posts; 2043 upvotes; Toronto

Oct 18th, 2020 2:03 pm

If the water mark is showing up on the surface of that ledge (is it wood?) where the spoon is sitting, then the water is most likely coming from above, and somehow running around the window pane. It may be a leak of the casement window on the right or left of the fixed pane in the center where the spoon is. Might not have anything to do with your caulking job.

You could beef up the caulking across the top of the trim, but there is also white aluminum flashing (I think I see that) which is under the trim, coming out over the top of the window. So that should be protecting the window to a degree.

If you want to really test it, close the windows tight (use the locks always to pull them in sealed) and spray the hose against the window concentrating on the seam where the window is closed.

Also trim that shrub a bit so the branches aren't touching the window/wall.

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Oct 18th, 2020 4:02 pm

TomLafinsky: Deal Addict; Feb 11, 2018; 1463 posts; 1192 upvotes

Oct 18th, 2020 4:02 pm

Before doing a water test PLEASE redo the caulking as I could see one spot where caulking was missing. Although I do not think this is the cause. Try using a caulking close to the color of your wall, not pure white and do not go cheap on caulking. Tremco is a very good choice if you can find it. Otherwise try GE and make sure it is EXTERIOR caulking.

I'm inclined to believe that water could have entered through a faulty seal. I assume both windows were not only closed but also locked when the leak happened?

The more harm you do to others, the more harm you do to your own self.

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Oct 18th, 2020 6:15 pm

ChicoQuente: Deal Addict; Jun 21, 2003; 4002 posts; 1413 upvotes; Stoney Creek, ON

Oct 18th, 2020 6:15 pm

Did you make sure the area was dry before caulking? If there was still water or lots of moisture I don’t believe the caulking will attach to the surfaces and could just form a gap between the wall and caulking.

Also did you check application directions in terms of temperature and moisture exposure? The cheaper the tube the less tolerant it is to temperature range, humidity and the longer time it needs to cure before rain or moisture contacts it. As said above caulking is not something to go cheap on.

You should definitely at the very least redo the caulking on top. I’d check Google images to see what it should look like up there. You want it to be done in a way that ensures the water runs off of it, not just pools around it.

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Oct 26th, 2020 7:34 pm

sickcars: Deal Guru; Mar 13, 2004; 11022 posts; 2820 upvotes; Toronto, Ontario

Oct 26th, 2020 7:34 pm

If you want to make it look nice you need painters tape (usually blue or green) and you tape each side and apply in the middle then go over it with your finger or a plastic spoon. Have a look at this video they explain it.

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Oct 26th, 2020 8:32 pm

dottawat: Member; Feb 26, 2019; 363 posts; 324 upvotes; Ottawa

Oct 26th, 2020 8:32 pm

Redo the caulking for now. Use Mulco Supra Expert or Mulco Flextra. That should get you guy until spring when you redo the exterior trim.

Who ever you hire, specify that you want them to replace the trim and install head flashing. Properly installed head flashing is supposed to go under the house wrap beneath your siding/stucco and shed water to the outside of the window using a proper piece of rigid aluminum flashing. Make sure your contractor is planning to do this.

If you rely on caulking only (and no flashing) it is only matter of time before caulking fails and water finds its way in. You are learning that now.

Not a big job, but it will cost you extra, make sure it’s included in the scope of work.

https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2016/1 ... d-flashing

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