Attic Window Leak

The leak is an area about 4 long about 2 feet from one of the edges of the window and the sill above the window shows a wet spot which is wider near the window tapering to a smaller point towards the inside of the sill where it meets the interior wall.

Attic window leak.

Hole in your ceiling and add a 100 watt bulb enough heat to bake cookies and you have a recipe for huge heat loss as well as a major contributor to ice dams. The source for window leaks can be tricky to diagnose. A skylight is like a window in the roof but its frame is designed and flashed to withstand the rigors of rainfall that a roof receives. Or it could be a leak caused by your home s brick veneer or siding.

Sometimes the water shows up at a ceiling spot distant from the leak. This is perhaps the best problem to have when it comes to window leaks because it means that your window isn t leaking at all. If you pressurize the house with a window fan you may be able to feel the leaks with your hand as the air finds its way into the attic. Even a pinhole leak in brick mortar can allow water to leak behind the brick.

As shown at right a skylight s flashing works in concert with the roofing. From the point of entry water will run downward enter the frame. If you notice a window leaking during rain it could be a window leak. Some roof leaks are tough to locate.

If you notice water stains on the wall above the window or along the top or bottom of the frame this usually means there is a leak inside the walls. I replaced a window in my living room this summer and this winter during a rain water started coming in where the window meets the sill. Window leaks can result from a structural failing elsewhere in the home such as an opening in the roof upper floors or siding. If a main roof or flashing leak running down and exiting at the window you should see water running down the underside of the sheathing and staining.

Water droplets that form on the inside of the glass that don t correspond to the outdoor weather are a sign of condensation. On a nice day have a helper tap on the mark while you re on the roof. Or it could be a roof leak. If you have an attic the easiest way to spot the leak is to up there on a rainy day.

Before you crawl into the attic to find the source of the leak consider the possibility of condensation. Got a water leak around or under your dormer window. Once you locate the source of the water mark the area. Many homeowners believe that this is a major problem but that s just a myth.

Water will reflect light so bring a flashlight along. 1 do you have an accessible attic where you can get up here and look at the underside of the roof sheathing aboveand aroundthe dormer. If your ceiling has a plastic vapor barrier between the drywall and the attic insulation push the insulation aside and look for flow stains on the plastic often water runs to openings in the vapor barrier such as at ceiling light fixtures.