Update on the mold and mystery leak

"Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy" (camshaft-chris) 11/13/2019 at 15:38 • Filed to: Stupid house, Shit keeps breaking, Home repairs

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So this happened late last night. I don’t believe in coincidences. This window is right above the sink / cabinet area where the mold is. After inspecting the window, apparently it’s not sealed very well. We had an awfully cold night last night and the dishwasher was running and warming things up. Between the cold air from the outside and the hot air inside, I’m almost 100% certain that mixture along with some moisture on the class caused the cracks.

I also placed a bowl underneath the pipes to see if I would catch any water dripping from the drains. It was dry all after noon, with my wife washing dishes in the sink, prepping dinner, and all that typical use. Not a single drop showed up until after we had some rain come through yesterday evening. Again, no way this could be a coincidence.

So the window will obviously have to be replaced. And the drywall will be coming out too. Guess my other weekend projects will have to get pushed back. Le sigh. It’s always something...

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 11/13/2019 at 15:48

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Looking at this photo, this appears to be a vi ny l double hung insert type window. I would encourage you to investigate further given the amount of water damage you are seeing could be the result of an improperly installed window. My guess is the exterior plastic (vinyl) flange is not properly sealed to the exterior wall and rain and or snow melt is coming into the wall from the exterior. Condensate alone isn’t going to do tha t much damage. Also worth the time to make a hole in the wall under the sink for further investigation.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 11/13/2019 at 16:22

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We don’t have any snow melt (I live in coastal SC) but boy do we have rain... And like I mentioned, I placed a bowl under the sink to see if I could catch any leaks and I didn’t get any water in it until after it started raining. I’ll be inspecting the window this evening, but I don’t really have any idea what I should be looking for. Any tips there?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 11/13/2019 at 16:28

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There should be wall paper either tar paper or tyvec overlapping the plastic flanges of the window . Caulking is also used on the top and around the sides to help seal it to the house. You really can’t see what is going on unless you pull the trim off from around the window encasement to see what is going on. If you can look in to the wall under the sink that might be a better view of where the water is coming from. The water damage is so spread out it could be a variety of things. 

shop-teacher > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 11/13/2019 at 16:30

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Yeah, you got yourself a problem.  Better make sure the replacement window gets installed properly.   Check carefully for any rot damage in the wall too.

vondon302 > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy 11/13/2019 at 16:47

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Ah the Joy’s of home ownership. I had a similar problem on my house but doors. The door was improperly sealed resulting in the header under the door rotting away causing my deck that attached to it to sink. Glad I caught it in time. The sill was starting to get wet. Mind you this is a modular house built in 99. After further inspection all 3 exterior doors were faulty. The side I noticed it on was the one with no overhang and gets the most wind. I’ve got 2 done but the front door is going to require a new deck and landscaping.

No house or anything! Grrr.

I'd definitely take a look at all your windows.