The windows on my hardi-faced house have the nail on fins. Only a single piece of 3/4 – 3 1/2″ trim covers the gap between the window (aluminum) frame and the hardi-plank. There is no flashing whatsoever. The hardi plank stops well short of the nailing fins, as does the house wrap. In other words, if I remove the exterior window trim, I can see the backside of the drywall where the nailing fin has been bent by errant hammer blows, etc.
At any rate, after 10″ of rain and counting this month, this set up has failed and now the house has a mold smell emanating from a boxed out bay window. This window faces the rain. I have yet to replace the rain gutters after reroofing following H. Ike. I’m sure this is a contributing factor as well.
I suspect the trim and studs are molding.
I’m going to take off the trim, fill any gaps with foam and put new trim and caulk on the window. I could take the windows out and reset if needed.
How can I tell if the studs are hopelessly molded? At what point do they need to be replaced? Same question with the dry wall? If the inside paint is still good, is the dry wall still good?
Can I retrofit some sort of window flashing membrane on this set up? Do I have to strip off the hardi-plank to do this? As this is a bay window, it wouldn’t be that much to take off.
Replies
I say remove the harti plank, reflash with vicor (sp?) or similar, replace hardi[lank and trim and caulk with polyeutharane caulk and paint. Re the insde drywall, etc, if it needs to be replaced you will know soon enough. Once DW molds it is toast, but it doesn't sound like it is moldy.
OK, the next dry day - off it comes.
Totally stop the leaks and the mold isn't a problem.
My advice. Take the siding off and put on an adesive flasing tape all around the window. So when you nail the trim back on the nails are sealed when they drive through the flashing tape. The tape that I have used is made by grace but its more expensive then the other brands but I think its worth it when it comes to leak free windows.
"When the job is perfect, we're almost done."
and spray foam your gaps around your windows. Seeing drywall is unacceptable. "When the job is perfect, we're almost done."
and if I can add - use the low expanding foam expecially for windows and doors.
To the OP - I think HD and I are refering to the same type of flashing tape. It is black and somewhat streachy once the peal off backing is removed and they sell it at Lowes (here anyway). You will know you have the right stuff once you see how hard it is to work with. :-) At Lowes here, it is back by the roofing stuff.
Yup thats the stuff. If you have any raidus windows they make a special verison of it for those. Get it from a roffing or window supply store. Stay out of the chain stores. "When the job is perfect, we're almost done."
Thanks for the info. I have a roll of the Grace left over from the roofing job. I guess this will go over the house wrap and then pin it down?