Recommendations to seal a leaking window frame

[ErrolFlynn]

The window frame is timber. It’s on the lower level of a two-story block of units, with a concrete ceiling/floor separating the two. I think people call this a popcorn effect. When it rains heavily water seeps in between the lintel and the upper surface of the window frame, as arrowed. It seems to have been happening for a while. (The flat section in the first pic is the underside of a curtain pelmet.)

It may not be possible to seal from the outside as there’s a decorative slate arrangement on the outside.

The window needs to be replaced, but I just want to keep the rain out until that can be done. I was thinking of gouging out the gap between the top of the window frame and the lintel (on the inside) and putting a line of silicon all the way along there.

I seem to recall there are some types of silicon that can cope with wet conditions when being applied. Are they any good? I suspect this area will be wet until summer comes back. What would you do as a temporary fix?

537493537494

[r3nov8or]

You really to find a solution that stops the water from the outside. Anything else is temporary at best, futile at worst

[droog]

Install a flashing up under the surface where the water is entering.

Silicon is not a solution to seal an entry point.

[ErrolFlynn]

No idea where the water is entering. It could be leaking anywhere near all the slate-like material. It's a bit of a mess and I don't like the appearance of it. Apparently, the upstairs window leaks too. They don't know where the water is coming from either. There was a notion that it could be a roof problem; possibly getting into the cavity. (No one has investigated. So, that could be rubbish.) It's complicated by the fact that the deck (for the unit above) is to be removed and rebuilt. When that happens all the slate may well come off. That may be the time to replace the window. But that won't be for a while and I have water coming in now. That's why I'm thinking that a temporary fix is good enough.

[ErrolFlynn]

I’m hoping to make an attempt at addressing this problem later this week. A quick fix, that is. The new replacement window will hopefully stop the leak. But until that happens I was intending to use some silicone.

As noted, it may be next to impossible to seal this from the outside, despite it being the better solution. I was planning on trying to push some sealant between the window frame and the wall from the inside of the room.

Selleys advertises the following. Has anyone used either of them? Or is there something better you know of?

650 FC Fast Cure Adhesive Sealant

It makes reference to being suitable for damp areas.

https://www.selleys.com.au/products/sealants/multi-purpose/selleys-650-fc-fast-cure-adhesive-sealant/

Storm Sealant

This one can be applied in the rain, according to the write up.
https://www.selleys.com.au/products/sealants/roofing-silicone/selleys-storm-sealant/

[r3nov8or]

...
Selleys advertises the following. Has anyone used either of them? Or is there something better you know of?

650 FC Fast Cure Adhesive Sealant

It makes reference to being suitable for damp areas.

https://www.selleys.com.au/products/sealants/multi-purpose/selleys-650-fc-fast-cure-adhesive-sealant/

Storm Sealant

This one can be applied in the rain, according to the write up.
https://www.selleys.com.au/products/sealants/roofing-silicone/selleys-storm-sealant/

I've used Selley's All Clear on wet surfaces and it held well. Long time ago, and maybe before those other products existed (not sure)

[ErrolFlynn]

Thanks for that. The notes on the Selley's website suggest that with All Clear porous surfaces must be dry. With the recent weather and what's forecast in coming days I suspect I'll be squeezing it into a wet place.

[r3nov8or]

Yeah, one those you linked look better. 650 states flexibility, but 20% of "not much gap" is almost no flexibility. Think I'd go with the Storm one

[ErrolFlynn]

I'd go with the Storm one
I'm inclined to agree.

Curiously, I had emailed the Selley's helpline. They suggested 650 FC Fast Cure. It was only after reading the write-up on that one that I spotted a link to their Storm product. It seemed ideal to me. I'm perplexed as to why the guy didn't suggest Storm in the first place.

[PS. I'm having doubts about these info lines that you find on product web pages. As it happens I'm in the market for a new phone. I emailed the company that makes the phone to ask some specific questions. I got rubbish responses to my questions. It was only when I badgered and kept repeating myself that I was put onto a supervisor. The supervisor took more interest and answered my questions fully.]

[rambunctious]

No idea where the water is entering. It could be leaking anywhere near all the slate-like material. It's a bit of a mess and I don't like the appearance of it. Apparently, the upstairs window leaks too. They don't know where the water is coming from either. There was a notion that it could be a roof problem; possibly getting into the cavity. (No one has investigated. So, that could be rubbish.) It's complicated by the fact that the deck (for the unit above) is to be removed and rebuilt. When that happens all the slate may well come off. That may be the time to replace the window. But that won't be for a while and I have water coming in now. That's why I'm thinking that a temporary fix is good enough.

The water is coming from above so you start there.
Sealing around the window will just send the water in a different direction and maybe cause damage.

[r3nov8or]

The water is coming from above so you start there.
Sealing around the window will just send the water in a different direction and maybe cause damage.
Yes, that was the early advice and remains accurate... :D

Some photos from above the outside cladding may help us see what's going on...

[rambunctious]

Yes, that was the early advice and remains accurate... :D



Really !!! Had I have seen that advice I would not have posted but I still cannot see it so maybe it was removed.

[r3nov8or]

Really !!! Had I have seen that advice I would not have posted but I still cannot see it so maybe it was removed.

#2 & #3 ?

[ErrolFlynn]

Okay, you win. Of course, you win. Repairing the outside is the best thing to do.

The photo shows a lot of slate above the window. I’ll push some sealer into all the joints. That’s a strip of timber above the slate and below the window above. Some sealant can go there too. The thing that’s at the back of my mind is that the leak might be coming from none of those places. The water might be travelling. The source could in fact be a roof problem. That’ll be a job for someone else.

[rambunctious]

OK didn't notice 2 but 3 would probably be waste of time.
Are there patios above where you are referring to slate, if so, then that is where you start.
Good luck.

[ErrolFlynn]

I’m just looking for a quick fix, but I can see that attacking the outside first is best.

The thing that’s at the back of my mind is that the timber you can see in the photo will probably be coming off and tossed. It’s a ledger that helps support a deck (just out of view in the photo), the slate will probably come off too as part of the job, the main window you see will be getting replaced at some point, and the neighbour (above) has a water leak too which he thinks may be coming from the roof via the wall cavity. So, if the roof is the problem then my sealing possible gaps on the outside is not going to solve anything. Hence my original feeling of concentrating on the inside only. But, hell, the water could be coming in from multiple sources.

[rambunctious]

After rereading everything (apologies for not taking the time to read everything before) I would suggest you get access to the deck above and look carefully where the deck meets the wall because that is where most leaks come from,
so you might be able to silicone (with the owners permission) that join which may or may not help.

As to the window in the above unit leaking, if it is exposed to the elements, have a good look all around the window frame.
Even fly screens/security screens can cause leaks when water builds up behind them.
Being they are units, make sure when the deck is being replaced it is flashed/waterproofed to the wall otherwise it may impact you forever and a day.

This is probably the best quick fix you can do and basically all I can suggest without seeing what is above your unit..

If however, the upper window is the one in the 2nd pic then someone needs to get on planks/ladder and have a good look around that window.

[ErrolFlynn]

It's all good info/advice.

I particularly took note of the possibility of the above deck being a source of the water leak. That deck is to be removed, at some point. It's unsafe. There are rust marks from the bolt holes into the wall. If those bolts are a loose fit then water may be getting past them. A possible source.

There's a lot of work to be done, and those windows do take a hammering in a storm. So, any work done has to consider the weather.