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Windows Wicking Moisture?

user-5449330 | Posted in General Discussion on March 2, 2022 08:19am

Novice homeowner here, 25yo house.

I have 3 side-by-side windows in my home (photo).  All three seemed to have wicked up moisture from the sill between the windows (photo).

I had 17 window sashes and jambs replaced about a 18 months ago.  Also had a handyman caulk all my exterior windows, but I think the damage had already been done.

 I would guess the caulk job has stopped the moisture intrusion, but it looks bad.

What is the most cost-effective way to fix this?

Bob
Charlotte, NC

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Replies

  1. fsmyles | Mar 03, 2022 07:35am | #1

    To me, it looks like there is moisture behind the center wood casing beyond what might be wicking from the sill. I would remove it and inspect behind it. It's a simple enough job to replace.

    To answer your question though about the aesthetics of the casing, sand the casing down to bare wood. Where sanding isn't accessible, use a chisel to carve out the paint. Fill with Bondo. You may have to do this twice. Sand smooth Wait a day and prime. Then finish paint.

    Frankie

    1. user-5449330 | Mar 03, 2022 08:13am | #2

      Thanks for your reply. Very helpful.

  2. florida | Mar 03, 2022 07:56pm | #3

    That's a very common problem. Pull that piece of trim off and I'd bet that the bottom edge and back aren't painted which has allowed water to wick up and rot the wood. Replace the entire piece with PVC trim and set the bottom edge in caulk when you do. That will keep the sill from rotting in that spot.
    Handyman is a bad word. Did he scrape the old caulk out and clean the joint well before he caulked? I'm betting not. Did he use a quality caulk like polyurethane or did he use the handyman's special, latex? I'll bet it was latex. A good caulk job will keep most water out for some period of time but caulk is a maintenance item, it's not forever. The same goes for Bondo and any other filler. It will hold moisture in until you have a real problem a few years down the line.

    1. user-5449330 | Mar 05, 2022 07:45am | #4

      Thanks for the reply. Excellent info.

      Bob

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