Hi, we recently had some storms and I had water leak in through the top of a window frame. Pictured below. Water ran down the exterior brick and seeped in from the top of the window frame. I'm wanting to put some sort of barrier/flashing so that water is deflected away from the window. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Water leak help needed
- Thread starter oberah
- Start date
I would start with re-caulking the top of the window. Is this the first time it has leaked? Are we talking about a common occurrence or a 100 year storm? Plus what is above the window, flat roof, gutter, etc.?
1st leak in 3 years of living here. house is 20 years old. Above the window is a flat wall going to the roof (no overhang) so water just slides down to this window frame.
Are those holes in the mortar between the bricks and stone?
Yes, there is at least one rectangular hole in the mortar between the stone and brick. That will allow water cascading down the brick to enter and perhaps get to the inside of the window. Do the other things recommended but also deal with this. The hole is to the right of that top flat stone.
In addition to what is mentioned above, I would be looking here:
It looks like the stone is sitting on a steel lintel like it should. I would guess the water is entering between the gap of the upper white vinyl frame and the steel lintel. The surface tension keeps the water flowing along the stone til it hits the gap. The stone is probably sitting in an L type beam so it wouldn't think the area between stone and metal is issue. If you could clean the gap out just above vinyl and slide some drip edge in there and then recaulk you might get some satisfaction. But remember water always wins.
