Window leak coming from roof

[OhioUsr]

My front window is leaking from the top when the rain is heavy and drifting with the wind. The leak does not happen if it is not windy and the rain is low. There is no visible gap or whole around window. It is a stonefront all around the window as shown in the picture. I sealed around the window OSI caulk and still the water is leaking from inside top during the recent rain.

This makes me think of rain water must be entering from the roof. I have attached a picture where there is an inch gap with no flashing at all.

Do you think this is the source of water entering? What is the best way to fix this gap? Any information will be much appreciated.

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[Jim Katen]

Post a picture of the whole wall, including the window that's leaking.

[Brandon Whitmore]

You're not gonna have a window right at the corner of the house, which leads me to believe the window is on that wall to the right. If that's the case, I would bet that the flashing/ weather resistive barrier was never properly installed behind the cultured stone (all a guess without pictures, and even then...) Caulk shouldn't be needed to prevent water leakage at a window. If you've got a leak, you've got other issues besides the lack of surface sealant.

[hausdok]

They put the masonry veneer on without any head flashings or drainage screeds and when it rains hard the water builds up behind the veneer and forces it's way through the wall. If you applied a lot of goop along the bottom of the veneer you've only made it worse.

Go here and study the application/installation details and compare them to what you've got and you'll soon understand why.

ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!

Mike

[Scottpat]

As Mike noted, it is most likely a flashing issue. Most likely the fins on the window were not taped/flashed to the Tyvek or whatever type of WRB they used on the substrate.

How old is the house?

Did this just start?

[Bill Kibbel]

No need to reply to posts advertising products/services or link-droppers. They're against TIJ rules and moderators do a good job deleting them. Quoting them just doubles the links to their sites.

[Erby]

But how are we to know. Sometimes they're pretty slick about it and the moderator just "deletes" the link.

The best would be for the moderator to (as some moderators already do) put in a "spam link deleted" comment when they do so.

Then it's easier for the rest of us to recognize that and stop replying.

[Brandon Whitmore]

I'm confused. If the OP link dropped, I never saw it, and would assume that Jim and Mike did not as well. Link droppers don't usually post pictures or write posts so clearly.

What am I missing?

[Bill Kibbel]

I'm confused. If the OP link dropped, I never saw it, and would assume that Jim and Mike did not as well. Link droppers don't usually post pictures or write posts so clearly.

What am I missing?

Brandon,

It was a subsequent post that was completely worthless to this topic, this website and our profession.

But how are we to know. Sometimes they're pretty slick about it and the moderator just "deletes" the link.

The best would be for the moderator to (as some moderators already do) put in a "spam link deleted" comment when they do so.

Then it's easier for the rest of us to recognize that and stop replying.

Erby,

See my reply to Brandon above.

[Brandon Whitmore]

Ahh-- thanks for the explanation Bill.

[OhioUsr]

As Mike noted, it is most likely a flashing issue. Most likely the fins on the window were not taped/flashed to the Tyvek or whatever type of WRB they used on the substrate.

How old is the house? - 5 yrs old

Did this just start? - yes, about a month back.

[OhioUsr]

Post a picture of the whole wall, including the window that's leaking.

Thanks everyone for your time.

Please see the first one shows full front view. The roof with 2 windows, it is the lower window where the leak is coming from.

Second picture shows inside the house, where the center top of the window is leaking.

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[Terence McCann]

According to your profile you are from Venkat, Ohio. May I ask where, exactly, that is located?

Near as I can figure you are some how associated with http://www.linkedin.com/in/venkata52

[Jim Katen]

Thanks for the pictures. The leaks have nothing to do with the missing flashing at the roof.

The water is entering behind the stone just below the upper window. To fix this particular leak properly, the stone between the two windows has to come off and be reinstalled properly with correct flashings & paper. Anything less won't work.

The fact that this is leaking is probably an indication that the entire stone veneer installation is done improperly. It is almost certainly leaking in other locations as well, though the leaks might not be in places that you can see.

I'm too lazy to do it, but someone here might be kind enough to post a link to one of the JLC articles on this subject.

[Marc]

I can't make out any flashing or weeps at all above either window. It's a lousy installation though that doesn't help explain to OhioUsr why the issue did not manifest until just a month ago.

Marc

[Jim Katen]

I can't make out any flashing or weeps at all above either window. It's a lousy installation though that doesn't help explain to OhioUsr why the issue did not manifest until just a month ago.

Marc

I'd offer that it only leaks when the wind blows from certain directions. He could probably find more leaks if he depressurized the house and used a spray rig to test each window & door frame.

[Bain]

That veneer's installed the same way they do it around here. The masons bring the mortar directly adjacent to the windows and doors, and not one piece of backer rod is used during the entire project.

The mortar invariably contracts, and . . . well, I don't need to explain it. I'll bet that's at least contributing to this water penetration issue.