Vinyl Siding Water Leaks

Caulk along the seams of the siding where it meets the window.

Vinyl siding water leaks.

The presence of a housewrap on modern buildings or felt on older buildings combined with proper flashing at windows doors and other openings are relied upon to keep water from entering the structure itself. Check to be sure weep holes are open along bottom of window openings. Vinyl siding is designed as an exterior cladding only and is supposed to be installed over other materials such as a weather resistant barrier. Rainwater leaking from a gutter ends up behind siding and causes a wall to rot.

If it was installed properly there shouldn t be any water running behind the siding and causing issues. The vinyl siding institute says vinyl siding is designed to allow the material underneath to breathe. If these pieces aren t replaced or if regular maintenance isn t performed water damage and resulting wear and tear can occur. Vinyl siding installs in pieces so gaps and overlaps.

According to the vinyl siding institute. Therefore it is not a watertight covering which is to say it leaks. Although vinyl is impervious to water when installed as directed by the manufacturer vinyl siding as a whole is not completely watertight. In this video this old house general contractor tom silva shows how to prevent water from leaking in behind vinyl siding.

Anticipating this manufacturers provide weep holes along the bottom edges of clapboard panels. At some point in the past an owner had vinyl siding installed over old siding. While gaps and openings permit leaks behind the siding some siding openings are normal such as aluminum or vinyl siding bottom edge vents. If there are gaps and water can get in you can use tri polymer caulking to fill it in.

This is a caulking that s flexible and works well with vinyl siding. Small cracks in vinyl siding can occur over time. Inspect the area above the leak including both indoors and out. All vinyl siding leaks everyone needs to understand that vinyl siding leaks and allows water moisture to pass through it and make contact with the house sheathing.

Step 2 you can also check above the window or door to see how the siding is attached there. The extra thickness of the vinyl. Unfortunately you won t be covered when normal wear and tear is at issue. While this may be a surprise to home owners it surely shouldn t be a surprise to reputable contractors.