Are your windows leaking? How to tell when it’s not blatantly obvious

Leaky windows aren’t great. They can let water in, which can cause damage to your wall and floors. They can also allow drafts to happen, which means your HVAC will have to work harder to keep your home comfortable, causing your energy bills to go up.

Here are some common signs of window leak water damage you can look out for.

Common signs of water damage from window leaks

Musty odor

Wet surfaces have a kind of odor to them. While this may be common in certain areas of a home, like a garage, you don’t want that smell in the furnished parts of your home. If you get a musty odor around your windows, that could be a sign of water damage.

Stains & discoloration

Fading or yellowing could be early warning signs of water damage around your window. At later stages the discoloration could be darker, more brown in color. While not a massive problem (you can paint the stains), they could be signs to something larger.

Peeling paint & wallpaper

When drywall gets excessively wet, wallpaper can peel off and pull away. For paint, it can bubble or, when the leak dries up, the wet paint can dry up and flake off entirely.

Sagging drywall

When drywall gets wet for extended periods of time, it can weaken the internal structures. This means you might see sagging, warping and buckling as a result. Address leaks and water damage before the problem gets to this stage.

Rot and mold

By the time you notice mold, the leak will have been happening for a good amount of time. Mold can harm you and your family’s health, especially those with conditions like allergies or asthma.

Accumulating water

It may seem obvious, but if you see water accumulating in an area, that’s a red flag. If water is collecting around your window even when it’s closed, that may be a sign that you need to replace the window.

Common solutions for leaking windows

Draft snake

Window draft snakes can be an affordable option if a window is drafty but not letting moisture in. Cut the proper width for your window and shut the window on top of it. It should block any drafts.

Weather stripping

Window leaking can be caused simply by worn out weather stripping. In those cases you could just replace the old weather stripping with new, more durable materials.

Caulk

If there aren’t issues with the weather stripping, but drafts are still happening, it could be because of withered caulking or holes in the frame. In these cases, you can re-apply caulking to the window to seal up those areas.

Window film

Window film is a clear plastic sheeting that you can find at home improvement stores. You can stick them to window panes and use a heated hair dryer to shrink the material.

Window replacement

When all else fails, you may need to just replace your window entirely. Compared to the other options above, it’s the only long-term solution.

Golden Home Management

If your window needs a quick fix or a replacement, or any other area of your house is looking like it needs a tune up, give us a call. You can schedule your FREE home assessment today to craft the perfect maintenance plan for you.