How to fix window water leak?

[sred]

During the heavy rain yesterday, found water was dripping from the window frame inside the house. Only this window is leaking at two place at the top frame and it is a double glazed one. Any suggestions what is causing this leak and how to fix this? Has the window seal failed or the exterior of the window frame needs to be caulked.

[AlanM52]

Hi @sred,

You may have a structural problem.

Someone has been there.

Could be water ingress here.

RE: Heavy rain:

Check that the gutter is not blocked and overflowing which would only exacerbate the water ingress problem.

Let's see what the others come up with...

Cheers

[sred]

Thanks Alan. The gutters were cleaned last year and from the first floor window I could see that they are clear. Could you please let me know what type of structural problem you suspect and how we go about investigating it. Where do we start?

[EricL]

Hello @sred 

It's great that you've received excellent advice from @AlanM52. I suspect that there is a leak in your brick wall that is allowing water to bridge inside onto the aluminium frame of the window. Your picture clearly shows that the outside structure of your brick wall appears to be very sound. But there are two weep holes located at the top and that thick line that Alan has circled which makes me very suspicious that the previous owner was trying to hide this defect.

I propose engaging a leak detection specialist that has a thermal imager so that you can track the path where the water flows. 

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @sred 

Personally I don't think you have any serious structural problem. The vertical straight line of a flexible sealant is covering an expansion joint, which from what I can see appears to be well in tact.

The 3 areas where I can see potential ingress are I have indicated in the photo below. The one across the window looks very minor in where the sealant is splitting. And though it needs a fresh going over, I think the two slots are definite entry points. But these aren't new, so it would indicate that water entry here should have happened in previous rain storms.

My recommendation to be 100% sure would be to Google local "Leak Detection Services". That have the technology to replicate the water ingress and scan the wall to see where it's getting in. Then you will now how to have its exactly repaired.

Regards Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Good Morning @sred 

My thoughts to the culprits are the weep vents and also water curling down the wall and under the lintel of the window in excessive storms. You cant seal the weep holes (I dont think you would get a lot of water through them) but the water curling around teh window I could see causing an issue. You could install a right angled piece of metal with silastic on the underside edhe of the metal lintal so the curling of water cant make it to the window itself. 

To be sure I would also suggest to engage a leak detection specilist, they will have the right equipment and knowledge to determin if there is water about inside the wall/roof.

I really dont see signs of structual issues, the vertical line that has been mentioned I find odd as well I wouldnt expect one to be just above a window but it looks solid with no cracking or expansion.

Dave

[sred]

@Dave-1 @Nailbag @EricL @AlanM52 

Thanks everyone.

I have attached some more images. Above the gutter, spotted an unsealed expansion joint. Could this be pontentially causing some issue.

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @sred 

Bingo! I think you have found your culprit. 

The large box I am unsure of what it is doing as I cant really see a connection to the gutter. Tho the issue could be that loose rubber inthe expansion joint that seems to have been missed in the install. I would seal it up and also have a look inside the box to see if there are any unsealed holes or leaves blocking it from draining as both the unsealed and the box overfilling could be causing the issue.

Dave

[EricL]

Hello @sred 

I agree with @Dave-1's assessment that the gap you are seeing above the box gutter is probably the entry point where water is coming in. By sealing that gap it should stop the water from entering it and prevent rainwater from bridging down the interior brick wall to your window frame.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @sred 

There are several things going on here. The expansion joint as well as the other 2-3 vertical sections missing mortar needs sealant. This is most likely the entry point.

The next is that I can't see what the collector box is needed for as there does appear to be any guttering leading into it. Is it just for looks or is there guttering internally ending into it? It may have no bearing at all. Just interesting. Sealing the other points will be your start as @Dave-1 also pointed out.

Nailbag