How to Check for Window Leaks Around Your Home

Fortunately, window leaks are fixable. By learning to check for leaks, you can catch damage early, stop mold, and avoid costly repairs.

You don’t need to be a contractor to catch window leaks early. Anyone can do it. Find out how.

Why Window Leaks Matter

Window leaks are more than annoying. They’re a common source of hidden water damage.

Window leaks are particularly common after storms. Moisture can seep into the walls and framing around the windows, leading to rot and mold.

Window leaks are more common in older homes, but they can occur even in new builds.

The longer you ignore a window leak, the more damage it causes.

Plus, insurance only covers sudden and unexpected damage – not slow leaks or maintenance issues. Your window leak could cause thousands of dollars of damage, and you may need to cover this damage out of pocket if you don’t catch it quickly enough.

Look for Visual Clues of a Window Leak

Start with a visual inspection of your windows. In some cases, there are obvious signs of leaks in or around your windows, like:

• Water stains on the wall or ceiling around the window
• Peeling paint or bubbling drywall
• Soft, warped, cracked, or rotting wood around the sill and frame
• Condensation between glass panes
• Discoloration or mold around the corners

Check your windows with a flashlight, paying close attention to the edges of the window and trim. Moisture likes to collect in these corners. If you catch the window leak early, this may be the only sign you see.

Test for a Draft (The Dollar Bill Trick)

Does your home feel drafty? You could have a window leak. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to check:

1. Close the window tightly
2. Slide a dollar bill or thin piece of paper between the frame and sash (the sash is the movable part of the window)
3. If the dollar bill slips out easily, or if you can feel a breeze on your hand, you likely have a window leak

Check for a Draft on a Windy Day (The Candle or Lighter Trick)

There’s another way to check for a draft. Use a candle, a stick of incense, or a lighter on a windy day:

1. Close the window tightly
2. Hold a lit incense stick, candle, or lighter near the edges of the window
3. If the smoke or flame blows sideways, you have a draft, and your window has a leak

The Exterior Spray Test

Even with the tests above, it can be tough to spot the actual location of the leak. That’s where the exterior spray test comes in:

1. Grab a helper and a garden hose
2. Spray water around the outside of the window, then have your helper stand inside and watch for drips, leaks, or damp spots
3. Pay close attention to the top corners and bottom edges of the windows, which are the most common places for leaks

If you have a serious leak, this test could cause more damage to your home. If you aren’t sure whether or not you have a leak, however, then the spray test can help quickly identify the leak and fix it.

Visually Inspect the Caulking & Seals

Whether you have an old home or a new build, you could have a leaky window because of a poor seal.

Sometimes, builders forget to adequately seal a window. In other cases, an older window has simply lost its sealant over time, creating a gap.

Check the exterior of your window (you may need a ladder) and the entire window frame for:

• Gaps or cracks in the caulk around the window frame
• Signs the sealant has pulled away from the siding
• Any old, dried-out, or cracked sealant that no longer appears intact
• Missing or damaged flashing around the window (the flashing is the metal around the top edge that directs water away)

You don’t need special skills to re-caulk or re-seal a window. It’s a simple weekend project. However, structural damage – like rot or broken framing – may need a professional.

The Post-Storm Checkup

One of the best – and easiest – ways to check for window leaks is after a storm. Windows are designed to prevent the intrusion of water during a storm. If they’re unable to do that, then you need to fix them.

After a storm, check your windows for fresh moisture, stains, or other signs of damage – again, paying close attention to the top corners and bottom edges.

Check behind curtains and blinds and feel for dampness.

Check window wells, sills, and nearby flooring for any sign of water intrusion.

Does Insurance Cover Window Leaks?

Insurance should cover window leaks that are sudden and unexpected, but it may not cover window leaks caused by poor maintenance.

A standard homeowners insurance policy covers window leaks and other water damage.

Here’s how insurance covers – or does not cover – window leaks:

When Insurance Covers Window Leaks

• When the damage is sudden and unexpected. If a storm causes your window to leak, for example, then insurance should cover the cost of repairing that damage.
• When there’s water damage to your property. A standard homeowners insurance policy covers water damage from most sources (like interior plumbing leaks, window leaks, and rain damage).
• When a sudden event causes your window to leak, like a fallen tree crashing into your window or hail shattering your window during a storm.
• When the leak is linked to a covered peril (like wind, hail, vandalism, or fire damage).

When Insurance Does Not Cover Window Leaks

• When there’s wear and tear or maintenance issues. As a homeowner, you have an obligation to maintain your home. Protecting windows, repairing caulking, and checking window seals are all part of that obligation. Insurance may inspect your leaky window for wear and tear or maintenance-related degradation, and they may not cover damage specifically caused by maintenance issues.
• When there’s mold. Insurance might cover the cost of repairing and replacing your leaky window, but it may not cover mold that has built up because of your leaky window.
• When it’s caused by flooding. If your windows leak because of flooding – say, on a lower-level window or basement window – then insurance won’t cover it (unless you have a specific flood insurance policy). Standard homeowners insurance policies don’t cover flood damage.
• When it’s a non-covered peril. Check your insurance policy for any exclusions. Some policies exclude wind and hail damage, for example – especially in the coastal regions of the southeastern United States. If the window leak was caused by a non-covered peril, insurance should deny your claim.

When to Call for Help

Insurance covers leaky windows. If you have a sudden intrusion of water into your home as a result of a leaky window, then your insurance should cover the cost of repairing that damage.

Signs you may want to call for help include:

• Ongoing water intrusion
• Warped walls or stained ceilings
• Disagreements with your insurance company over coverage or cost of repairs

Contact a window contractor, public adjuster, or your insurance company for assistance.

Find a Public Adjuster

Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Window leaks don’t always announce themselves with a puddle.

Sometimes, window leaks start with a damp well or a drafty chill. By spotting these signs early – and taking action – you can prevent a minor caulking issue from turning into a full-blown mold problem.

For help with a leaky window insurance claim, contact ClaimsMate today and get a speedy, no-cost consultation with a licensed public adjuster.

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.