I heard somewhere that one should never caulk under windows. I’m not sure that I understand the reason. I have 1950 wood double hung windows in brick house. On top I have the sill sloping down to the outside. Below the sill I have 2 x lumber extending few inches beyond sill and also sloping down. Below the 2 x lumber I have a course of brick extending a few inches beyond the 2 x lumber and also sloping down. Do I caulk between the sill and 2 x lumber and between the 2 x lumber and the brick? Gaps are quarter inch. Thanks for your help.
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Can you post a photo?
always a safe bet to caulk any gaps where water could possibly get in...whoever said not to caulk under a window?...the water ends up at the bottom, and even tho sills are sloped, strong winds can drive rain into any hole it can find...
Without seeing your house, I can't think of a reason not to caulk the 2 places you mentioned. Maybe what you heard about caulking refers to storm windows. water needs a way to escape in that instance.
if water can enter, it needs a way to exit. In your case I can't see that it should be entering
Barry, I don't think the advice about not caulking under windows had to do with storms. Perhaps it had to do with clapboards. Would you caulk under a wood window if wood clapboards rose right up to it?
Defineately it's a no no to caulk under clapboards, but yes I have caulked uder a window with clapboards. The widow is in a different plane and shouldn't interfere with the siding being able to breathe.it's hard to be definitive with out actually seeing the job in question, but it sounds caulkable
Barry E-Remodeler
think like a drop of water...
you want it to shed....
if it dets in or under you want it be able to get out...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
what about drafts...think like a -40 degree wind"I hate quotations. Tell me what you know" Ralph Waldo Emerson
got drafts...
poor construction....
it'll need more than caulk to fix that....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
That's why you have housewrap.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
and flashing...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
some houses don't have housewrap..."I hate quotations. Tell me what you know" Ralph Waldo Emerson
True. They're the ones the wind blows through.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
I would definitely caulk both places, but you might consider stuffing some closed-cell foam backer rod into the spaces prior to caulking. Water will enter anyplace it can, so be both careful and thorough. You know what they say, caulk is cheap! (Was that a groan I heard?) Also, be sure to check the caulk every year or so. Caulk does fail, so when it begins to pull away its time to re-caulk.
I agree with davidmeiland. Posting pics would be helpful.
Edited 8/20/2006 5:36 pm by luckymudster
The only place you don't want to caulk is OVER the window, where the flashing laps the head of the window frame.