Need window help, please!

[momto3]

I have been told that I have bad seals around many of my windows. I have water stains on the interior window frames and some rotted wood. This is a particular problem since we have a stucco exterior house. We cannot afford to let moisture get behind the stucco - that is big money to repair.

Here is my question: Can the seals be fixed without replacing the windows? I have called 2 companies and both have told me that the windows need to be replaced. I do not trust them 100% since both companies also sell new windows. I have not been able to find a window repair company that does not sell new windows.

I appreciate any advice. Thanks!!!!

[Stinky The Clown]

1. What kind of windows do you have and how are they 'sealed'?

I'm not sure what you mean here. How old is the house? How old are the windows? Are they original or replacements?

Might the flashing be the problem?

I agree with one thing you said ..... water behind a stucco exterior can be a HUGE problem.

[China_cat]

2. If you've got rotted wood, there's no way you'll be able to

seal them successfully. Until the rotten areas are replaced, you'll continue to have problems. Advice from very expensive experience.

[yy4me]

3. My first thought for you to consider is that it is doubtful

that your "windows" leak but rather there is either a problem with the flashing or with some point above the windows that would cause the water to channel down into the frame. Water leaking through the frame is probably the culprit. Are your windows double-hung, do you have storm windows? How old are they?

Is there a metal strip above and overhanging the top exterior of your windows? This would be a right angle coming from behind the stucco, across the top of the protruding section of window and folded down over the face of the exterior frame about 1/4 inch or so. This flashing can sometimes be a problem because if it pulls away or has holes in it, water can get behind it and come down through the frame interior. See if there is a way to caulk the windows(use clear drying caulk)if you can see obvious holes.

You should also see if there are any cracks in the stucco above the windows. There is material available at any Home Depot, Lowe's etc that is a repair product for stucco. Some comes in a caulking gun type applicator, some you would mix and patch like plaster. Sometimes the source of the leak can be a good distance from the windows themselves. Water will get in along a roof or side, channel down a beam and find its way to your upper window frame. How many leak and are they in the same area or same side of the house? Give us a little better description of the areas involved and I'll bet you'll get an answer here.

When we bought our 200 year old house, all flashing had to be replaced, most of the windows needed to be re-glazed but none had to be replaced. Old wood windows are hearty, can last forever.

There is also a product made by Min-wax that is an Epoxy wood filler that can fill rotted areas around your window. You have to scrape out rotted parts, scrape will, fill and sand. This is only practical id the areas are small.

Good luck.

[Kingshakabobo]

4. I think pictures would help. n/t

[Warpy]

5. Anything rotted needs to be replaced

and it's usually cheaper to replace the window rather than have it taken out, repaired and replaced. Nothing will seal rotten wood.

My advice is to start replacing them one room at a time starting with the worst one, if you can't afford to do the whole job now. Water always wins and you don't want the kind of trouble it causes on the way.