Ask the pros-August 2010
By Reggie Bullard
Window
leaks due to no flashing.![]() Not
sure how to
solve this problem...
1936
stucco house.
Old metal casement windows with a gutter above and no eave or overhang.
The "bay" windows leak all the time when the rain blows sideways or the
gutter overflows.
We
will replace the
2" downspout with a 3" down spout - but if the gutter still backs up,
which I'm afraid it will, i wanted another option.
I was
thinking of
some type of drip cap applied over the window but I want to just apply
it on top of the stucco and not penetrate it due to possible leaking
and expense of tearing out the stucco.
The
window is approx
36" wide so the piece might need to be 40" wide or so. Are there any
adhesives or mortar that could be used to just add stucco and fashion a
cap that sticks out far enough - maybe 5"-6"? I was thinking of using
terra cotta tile (to match the roof) on top of this stucco or mortar
shape. It just needs to be straight above the window. I could have a
clay piece made and high fired to create an edge that will make sure
the water drips down and does not run back to the wall. I just am not
sure an adhesive would be strong enough?
Any
ideas or info on
weight it would hold?
Water will penetrate stucco, even if it has been painted. The
only way you can be assured that your window won't leak is to cut off
the stucco above the window, Note also how a gob of caulking over the top of the window
would impede water flow. Flashing isn't require if the windows are up high, such as on
the second floor, and there is a large eave, or roof overhang. Unfortunately, a patch always tends to show, even if painted,
and color work is practically impossible to match. We do a lot of this
patching over windows and around This should solve your leak. A window leak at the top can damage the stucco or the framing
under the window.
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