5 Ways to Spot Window Leaks

If you don’t spot a window leak early, your insurer could deny your claim. As a homeowner, you have an obligation to maintain your property. Failing to spot a window leak could lead to a denied or reduced claim.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about spotting window leaks on your property.

Sign #1: Cloudy Windows

Do your windows look cloudy? Is there a haze between the panes of glass? Whether your home has old or new windows, the glass shouldn’t look cloudy.

New windows contain multiple panes with argon gas in between to help control temperatures. Older windows don’t use gas, but moisture can still accumulate between the panes.

Try wiping your windows clean. If the cloudiness doesn’t go away, then moisture may have built up between panes. Moisture buildup on the outside of windows is normal, but moisture buildup within windows is not normal, and it indicates a leaky window problem.

It’s important to note condensation itself isn’t a sign of a window leak; instead, it’s a sign your window isn’t leaking. If condensation isn’t forming, then your window could be leaking. Condensation between window panes that won’t wipe away, however, is a different issue.

Look for signs that the area between your windows is cloudy or wet, as it could indicate the structural integrity of your windows has begun to fail. If your window isn’t already leaking, it could start to leak in the near future.

Sign #2: Draftiness Around Windows

Do you feel a draft when standing near your closed windows? This is an obvious sign of a leaking window.

Stand by your windows on a windy day. Or, place a curtain over the window. If the curtain moves, then your window has a draft and may need to be replaced.

Some homeowners also use the damp hand test. Wet your hand with water, then move it slowly around the edges of the window. If you feel a rush of air against your hand, it’s a sign of a leaky window.

Sign #3: Rotten Wood & Other Damage Around the Exterior

Does your window have rotting wood around the exterior? It shouldn’t. Home remodeling company WeatherTight recommends checking your window for signs of exterior damage like:

• Wood rot
• Cracking, peeling paint
• Misshapen or off-kilter joints
• Soft spots on or around your windows

If your window shows any of the signs above, then your window may start to leak in the near future – or it may already be leaking. Be particularly careful with wood rot. Some insurance companies will cover this if you don’t have a wind driven rain exclusion and if it is caught early enough. Once you have wood rot, it is considered a maintenance issue.

Sign #4: Black Fuzz, Dampness, & Mold Around the Window

Check the inside and outside of your window for any mold-related visible damage.

Some of the obvious signs of mold damage include:

• Black fuzz
• Mildew growth
• A musty odor around the windows
• Mold spores building up in a corner or edge of the window
• Crackling or bubbling paint or other signs of moisture intrusion
• Soft, spongy wood around the window

All of these are signs moisture is already penetrating the window and leading to the buildup of mold. These signs need to be addressed ASAP to avoid future damage.

Sign #5: Leaks or Drips Through the Window After Water Exposure

The most obvious sign of a window leak, understandably, is the presence of leaks or drips through your window during a storm.

Wait for the next rainstorm. Or, have someone spray the outside of your window with a hose to check for leaks.

Fully lock and secure the window. Then, pay close attention to any water intrusion – like drips, leaks, or any moisture coming through the sealed area.

Other Signs of Leaking Windows

Other signs you may have a leaky window problem include:

• Warped hardwood below the window.
• Damaged or discolored flooring beneath the window – like peeling linoleum, loose tiles, or moldy carpeting.
• Peeling paint around the windows.
• Discoloration around the frame of the window.

What Causes Window Leaks?

Window leaks are typically caused by poor installation or general wear-and-tear – and sometimes a combination of both.

Some of the common causes of window leaks include:

• Poor house design – like a lack of overhang to drain water away from the top of the window or incorrectly-angled fascia boards.
• Window installation errors, like uneven windows or the use of house wrap instead of window flashing to direct water flow.
• Improper sealing, like inadequate use of expanding foam or air gaps between the wall and window.
• Poor glass seal, which may be caused by cheap windows, manufacturing errors, or (in most cases) general wear and tear on the window.
• Lack of a paint seal between the frame and the gals to protect against moisture intrusion.

DIY Fixes for a Leaky Window

You may want to order complete window replacement to fix your leaky window. Before paying thousands for new windows, however, you may be able to fix leaks by trying the options below:

• Option #1: Replacing damaged caulk with new caulk. Clean the damaged caulk away completely, then re-apply.
• Option #2: Replacing the old sealant with a new sealant. Remove and clean the damaged sealant thoroughly, then re-apply.
• Option #3: Repairing home-related issues that may be causing leaky windows. Check for a lack of overhang, incorrectly-angled fascia boards, or lack of window flashing, for example.

Why Checking Window Leaks is Important for Insurance Claims

Failing to identify a leaking window could lead to thousands of dollars’ worth of damage in your home.

Worse, ignoring that leaking window – even unintentionally – could cause insurance to deny or reduce future insurance claims.

Here are some of the reasons why identifying a leaky window early is important:

• Insurance doesn’t cover wear-and-tear or poor maintenance.
• Insurance doesn’t cover mold damage in most policies today.
• Leaky windows lead to other serious problems. A leaky window may not destroy your home today. When ignored over time, however, the leaky window can cause mold, moisture penetration into the rest of your home, and even structural integrity issues.
• Leaky windows reduce the efficiency of your home, forcing you to spend hundreds of dollars more per year on heating and cooling.
• Insurance policies now cover an exclusion for “wind driven” rain. This is rain that enters through a closed door or window.

Most importantly, insurers could use leaky windows to deny or reduce your claim, potentially costing you thousands in an insurance claim.

If a storm damages your home and causes thousands of dollars in damage to your property, then your insurer could deny a payout because of your pre-existing leaking windows, which made damage worse.

Contact a public adjuster today if an insurer is challenging your claim because of leaky windows. A public adjuster analyzes damage and negotiates with the insurer on your behalf to achieve an optimal outcome.

Stephanie Corona

Stephanie is a property insurance claim expert with over 20 years of experience working as an insurance adjuster, expert witness, appraiser and umpire. She is passionate about sharing her expertise, knowledge, tips and training to help both property owners and Public Adjusters in their pursuit of effectively managing claims and recovering the claim settlement they deserve after a loss.