Water breaching the exterior of your commercial building is the top cause of damage and expensive repair and renovation needs. If you have leaking windows when it rains, you must act quickly to fix the problem before serious structural damage or unhealthy mold growth occurs. How to stop the rain from coming through the windows depends on the specific cause of the leak. The moment you see water damage, contact the experts like TG Basile who can give a full inspection, identify the problem, and offer so much more than a temporary fix for a leaking window.

Signs You Need Large Commercial Window Leak Repair

If anyone notices water on the interior windowsills, running down the wall, or piling on the floor, you need to find who to call for leaking windows quickly. However, the signs of leakage are not always that obvious. As the owner or property manager of a commercial, industrial, or multi-unit residential building, instruct your in-house maintenance team to look out for the following signs of potentially serious issues.

Condensation On or In Windows

window_condensation

While simple windows may gather condensation if the exterior and interior temperature and humidity levels differ greatly, you should not see a lot or any condensation between panes of a single window. This indicates a lack of an airtight or waterproof seal.

Discoloration or Water Stains

waterstains

Water can darken or dull surfaces even after it dries. If the water contains particles from pollution or building materials, the stain may also look speckled or lighter than a dark color wall. Investigate any discoloration so you can call in the experts to fix a leaking window before things get worse.

Mold or Mildew Growth

moldy_window

Serious structural issues and interior air quality problems, from mold and mildew growth caused by accumulating water and wet surfaces. Leaky windows introduce water into wooden structural supports, wallboard, carpeting, and other materials. Once mold spores begin to grow, it can be incredibly difficult and expensive to eradicate the problem completely.

Leaking Windows – Top Three Causes and Solutions

While other reasons for leaky windows may exist, the following three causes are most common. The inspection team will be able to identify why water is leaking under the windowsill, through the top of the window, or at any point around the perimeter. Proper window resealing and weatherproofing can prevent leaks, erosion to the façade and structural components, and even stop mold growth and other expensive problems.

Large office buildings, retail centers, industrial parks, and other commercial structures usually have many windows in a variety of styles and sizes. It can be difficult to identify a leak as soon as it happens. This is one good argument for regularly scheduled inspections and overall maintenance from an expert team who knows what to look for.

1 – Window Sealant

Multiple problems with the window sealant can cause serious or insidious leaks either to the interior of the building or between the walls. These usually stem from old and deteriorated sealant no longer performing as intended. In some cases, the original construction crew or window installer may have used poor quality products or techniques to begin with.

Can windows with broken seals be repaired? As long as the materials behind the window have not been damaged by water, window resealing can protect them in the future. We will remove compromised sealant and replace it with the top waterproof products on the market for a long-lasting solution. Commercial window caulking is one option to repair or replace a seal that no longer holds out the water.

2 – Window Flashing

Proper window installation requires flashing that protects the seams between the building and the window frame structure itself. Buildings with aluminum siding or shingles have flashing hidden behind surfaces. High-rise windows or those set in bricks or cement blocks also have a top lintel or other structure above the glass and frame that requires flashing on multiple sides. Poorly installed flashing or any with rips, holes, or gaps will cause your windows to leak when it rains.

Replacing the window flashing often involves removing all the old material. For effective waterproofing around windows, no trace of old flashing will remain because it could create gaps for water to creep in once more. If the window itself remains sound and the water has not breached the interior walls, new rigid, flexible, or self-adhesive flashing is a good option.

3 – Window Lintels and Windowsills

Structural issues with the window lintels and windowsills can also cause leaks. The past few decades have improved construction techniques considerably and introduced new materials that last longer and hold up to the weather with more integrity. Any time water can puddle or flow toward the building instead of a way, the risk increases of a leaking window frame.

Waterproofing windows with structural problems requires a more expensive solution. An experienced team can replace lintels and windowsills as necessary to channel water away from the structure itself. At the same time, the window leak repair company will replace flashing and sealant to create airtight windows that will stand up against the harshest weather conditions.

Proper initial installation of commercial windows matters more than anything else when it comes to preventing leaks and water damage. Even if the original construction team used the best techniques and materials, time, harsh weather, and other factors may cause windows to leak over the years. The three most common causes include problems with sealant, flashing, and lintels and windowsills. The best solution to any of these problems is an experienced team of commercial property experts who can inspect your building fully, identify the specific issues, and make all necessary repairs to stop current risks and prevent future problems.

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