My neighbor reached out to me and asked if I’d be willing to come look at a leak they have. The home is approximately 7 years old, they are the original owners.
This window is in the middle floor of a two-story home with the basement. There are no obvious signs of where the water is coming in, a few hairline cracks in the stucco around the window, with none extending more than 2". However, I do not think this is where the water is coming in, especially if the window was flashed correctly. But I am not 100% sure which is why I’m posting here for some feedback. They have two windows in their house that are leaking in similar locations. The leaks only became visible in the last few weeks after a couple rainstorms we had.
My recommendation is they need to have a stucco contractor come look at it and evaluate the stucco. It’s leaking above the window inside the house. But I wanted to share the photos on here and see what your thoughts were.
Roof looks good and nothing is visible within the attic above this space that looks like it would be causing this issue.
Those windows and stucco expand and contract at different rates. There is nowhere for this material to flex (hence the cracking) Horizontal protrusion doesn’t help. This could be a big problem or a little problem. They need a specialist.
The telltail brown stains at the cracks is a good indicator of interior wall damage. The only way to know exactly what is wrong and to correct the problem will be to remove the EIFS/Stucco/DEFS (it is one of the three) and repair any underlying damage and then reinstalled the material properly with the proper flashing, etc.
There probably is more than a stucco issue there. I’d look at flashing and rain barrier/rain screen issues. A hose strategically utilized can find leaks. I’ve used my blower door and IR imager sometimes. A leak is not always an easy item to find. A general contractor with building and stucco experience is a good referral.
I’m confused… the only decently far away picture from outside doesn’t line up with bulge/leak along the top of the short/wide window. Is the leak at the top of the window with an overhang directly outside? If yes, I’m less suspect of the siding and more suspect of a roof leak. Water leaking anywhere on the roof uphill of the entry can run down and only come inside when it hits the wall
#1: No fenestration head flashing on the windows. No Drip cap.
The 2021 IRC (R703.4.1 ) and IBC (1405.4) mandate installing flashing on the exterior window and door openings to stop moisture from entering the wall or redirect it to the exterior. #2: Cracked stucco abutting window frame. #3: No visible sealant/caulking nor foam backer-rod around were the windows butt against the stucco.
Stucco: Cracks & stains between the upper center windows.
You look in the attic above the windows?
If anything, ice dam leak if that neck of the woods gets snow and ice during the winter. I would be looking elsewhere.
It is not much of a leak and likely going on for years. Moisture caused the paint to blister. Very small area.
Wind drives water vertically.
Recommend a licensed caulking contractor. Interior: A licensed painting contractor.
Do you realize we are talking about stucco? An impermeable material notorious for latent moisture damage, notably around fenestrations?The worst advice is to minimize this issue and caulk it up!
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ndegaris
(Neil DeGaris, CMI KY License # 102167)
14
In Montreal, Quebec Canada, a caulking contractor needs to have a valid license from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) to operate.
Established in 1992, the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) is an agency of the Government of Quebec under the parliamentary responsibility of the Ministry of Labour. The RBQ’s mission is to ensure the quality of work and the safety of people using buildings and facilities in the areas covered by its regulations. It also ensures the professional qualifications and integrity of contractors and owner-builders in the construction industry.
So sorry if construction industry trades in your neck of the woods have not caught up to the rigorous building standards as Quebec under the RBQ.
Caulking contractors in the States is only found in commercial work and not residential construction. They are called sealant and waterproofing contractors.
We all should be using the term “Sealant” over the term “Caulk”, sealants cover numerious types of products used to seal and isolate dismilar materials, fill gaps and on and on.
Should have though of that.
The term Sealant/Caulking should be used interchangeably.
In Quebec they are licensed. In the 1900’s I almost started this type of business but no one was willing to pay the price to do fenestrations properly. Professional caulkers may need certifications like an ASP card, a CCQ card for construction workers, and an RBQ license.
Sealants and caulking are used in stucco applications to prevent water penetration along edges, trim, and other areas where water might enter the building.
Caulking/Sealant Contractors abridge opening/spaces between dissimilar materials.
