Hey folks! I've noticed some recurring dampness in my second story bedroom after heavy rainstorms. It's a 4x4 area on the carpet located near a right-angle formed by two windows. During previous storms, the dampness showed up in that spot, but I never saw any water on the walls or ceiling.
I took some steps to fix things by caulking cracks around the windows and roof, which seemed to help for a while. Unfortunately, after the latest big rainstorm, the dampness returned, though it's smaller this time and still in that tricky corner between the windows. I'm trying to get to the bottom of this to prevent further issues.
Could it be a problem with one of the windows or maybe the siding? I checked the attic and didn't observe anything unusual, and it seems like the dampness only happens during heavy rain, possibly depending on the wind direction. I'm open to any tips or ideas on what to check next. Thanks!
3 Answers
Don't forget to consider the gutters and downspouts! If they’re clogged or misaligned, they could be directing water toward your walls and windows, especially during heavy rain. Cleaning them out or making sure they're positioned correctly might help reduce the water getting in. Also, if you're still getting leaks, using a moisture meter can help pinpoint the source of the dampness. It saved me a lot of time when I faced a similar situation!
You might also want to check the exterior siding. If it’s cracked or damaged, it could allow water to seep behind it during heavy rains. It's a good idea to inspect it closely, as sometimes the issue isn't just with the windows but where the siding meets the window frames. I'd recommend doing an inspection after the next rain to see if you can spot how the water is getting in. Hang in there!
Sounds like you might be dealing with a water intrusion issue. Since you've already caulked the windows and it's still causing problems, it could be worthwhile to investigate the flashing on the roof around those windows. Sometimes water can seep through if the flashing isn't properly seated. Also, check if there's any opportunity for wind-driven rain to impact those windows, especially since that's a specific spot. I've had similar issues before and found that bad flashing was the culprit!
That makes a lot of sense! I had a similar issue in my house where the flashing had lifted. If you can access it safely, it might be worth taking a closer look at that area. Good luck!
Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely add that to the list of things to check. Hopefully, I can get this sorted before it gets worse.