Windows Leaking

NJHomebrew

I wasn't where this post would best go. I have 2 windows in my home in one room that leak when there is very heavy rain along with high wind when it blows toward that part of the house. This happens about once a year or so with storms like hurricanes, etc. The exterior of that portion of the home is field stone. There are windows directly above these 2, but they don't show any signs of leaking.

I am guessing from looking at this forum that this may be a flashing issue? Would I need to have someone remove the field stone to get to the leak or could this be fixed from the inside?

Or, could it be that when the rain is driven directly into the mortar around the field stone that it is just pushing through the mortar if it's porous? If that's the case, could I just seal the exterior mortar and field stone?

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

joecaption

Got a picture?
Could be as simple as the caulking has cracked.

NJHomebrew

I've attached some pictures of the exterior - A full shot of the window, closeups of the top with caulking, damage to the top of the inside window frame, and the vertical frame where the water runs down once it's saturated the top.

Attached Thumbnails

       

NJHomebrew

The full window shot didn't upload with my first try.

Attached Images

 

Daniel Holzman

A window install like that requires careful attention to flashing. The mortar is not intended to prevent moisture infiltration, that would be the job of the flashing. When I put my French doors in, the manufacturer presented very detailed instruction regarding proper flashing, which involved a combination of ice and water shield, felt, and metal flashing, in multiple layers. Based on experience examining failed window installation, I would say that improper flashing is a common cause of trouble, since to do it right is time consuming, and a low bid installer may be tempted to cut corners.

Wind driven rain penetrating around the window is a pretty common sign of failed flashing, and unfortunately there is no way to fix it that I am aware of short of removing the stone, installing proper flashing, then reinstalling stone.

NJHomebrew

Thanks Daniel - That's what I was afraid of. I'll be contacting someone to take this job on...