Avoiding leaks when installing vinyl retrofit windows The Article Zapper

The Article Zapper

Home | About Us | Contact Us

Submit Articles Member Login Top Authors Most Popular Articles Submission Guidelines Categories RSS Feeds

	Animals
	Automobiles
	Business
	Career
	Computer Programming
	Computers
	Entertainment
	Environment
	Family
	Food
	Health & Medical
	Home & Garden
	Humor
	Internet Marketing
	Legal
	Leisure & Recreation
	Marketing
	Other
	Politics
	Religion
	Sports
	Technology & Science
	Travel
	Writing

View all Categories





Forgot Password? New User?

Welcome to The Article Zapper!

ALL » Home-&-Garden >> View Article

Avoiding leaks when installing vinyl retrofit windows

By: John Rocco

Avoiding leaks when installing vinyl retrofit windows
These days a lot of homeowners are replacing their old windows with vinyl windows using the retrofit style of window frame. This is particularly true in the west, and specifically, in California. The number one arguement that I have heard against using the retrofit method, is that it is susceptible to water leaks. Well, that's true if you don't do it properly. But, if you do a complete tearout of your old window down to the studs, you're going to have water leak issues there as well if you don't install the new window properly. So I think that arguement is, well, all wet. So, let me tell you the best way to install your retrofit windows that will ensure that water cannot get in.

There is an old song that goes, "It never rains in California, but girl don't they warn ya, it pours, man it pours". For those of you in California, you know how true this is. While California doesn't get a lot of annual rainfall, when it does rain, it can come down in buckets due to the close proximity to the ocean. So, you want to be sure that your windows are well sealed. If you are installing retrofit frames against a stucco house, you want to put a thick bead of sealant right on the outside face of the old window frame, all the way around. Latex caulk should work fine, but if you want to spend a little more to get the best sealant available, use 100% silicone. Depending on the number of windows you will be doing, this extra cost can add up. You pay approximately $1 for a tube of acrylic latex caulk, and $4 or more for a tube of 100% silicone. You are going to use 1-3 tubes per window, depending on the size. So you can see how it could add up. Here is a trick that I used to do to save a little money; The most vulnerable part of your installation is the top of the window, because gravity will have the water running down from the roof to the ground. It's not likely that water is going to find it's way through the sides or bottom. So, I used to carry two caulking guns, and load one with the silicone, and the other with the acrylic caulk. I would run the silicone accross the top of the old frame, and caulk the sides and bottom. Then, put your new window into the opening and have a helper hold it firmly in place while you plumb and level it, then screw it into place. After you have the window completely installed, your final step should be to caulk where the retrofit lip meets the stucco. Here again, I used to use white silicone on the top, and caulk on the sides and bottom. You now have a double barrier against water infiltration. After about a week, check the sealant around each window for signs of cracking. Because stucco is usually uneven, there could have been gaps that were larger in some areas than in others. If you don't force the caulk into the gap to completely fill it, the caulk can sag before drying, causing a crack to form. Simply recaulk over any cracks that you see. You can check the silicone on top as well, but because silicone dries like a rubber substance, you shouldn't see any cracks there.

OK, what if the replacement windows are going between wood trim surrounding the opening? If you are using the retrofit lip, and trimming it to fit between the wood, then you still apply the heavy bead to the old frame before installing the window. But, instead of sealing where the retrofit lip meets the stucco, you seal where it meets the wood. Then, you want to be sure to seal above the window, where the top piece of wood meets the stucco. Again, use silicone up there. Now, no water can run down the stucco wall and get under the top piece of wood. Sometimes, though, you might decide not to use a retrofit style frame between the wood, choosing a block replacement frame instead. If you choose to do it this way, you have to add trim to the outside. You still want to apply the sealant to the old frame, then apply your trim so it contacts the new window as well as the sealant on the old frame.

If you follow these procedures, you won't have to worry about any water penetrating into your home, I don't care how hard it pours!

About the Author

John Rocco has been installing
replacement windows since 1978.
To learn more, visit http://www.how-to-install-windows.com">How To Install Windows

Total Views : 511 Word Count Appx. : 794

See All articles From Author

[CaRP] Can't open cache file.
Yahoo! News: Most Viewed
Most Viewed

ABC's Robin Roberts has breast cancer (AP)

AP - ABC "Good Morning America" anchor Robin Roberts has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will be undergoing surgery Friday.

2 hurt in Calif. highway bridge collapse (AP)
AP - A highway bridge under construction collapsed Tuesday, trapping a delivery truck under the debris and injuring a construction worker.
FBI searches Sen. Stevens' Alaska home (AP)

AP - Federal agents with cameras searched the home of U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens amid questions about an oil company official's involvement in a 2000 renovation project that doubled the home's size, law enforcement officials said.

Corey Clark arrested in Arkansas (AP)

AP - Corey Clark has been arrested on drug charges and an outstanding warrant from Arizona, authorities said.

N.J. approves needle exchange program (AP)
AP - Intravenous drug users will be able to get clean needles in four New Jersey cities under an experimental program approved Tuesday to try to slow the spread of HIV and AIDS.
Mullen cites limited progress in Iraq (AP)

AP - President Bush's choice to head the military Joint Chiefs of Staff said Tuesday an increase of troops in Iraq is giving commanders the forces needed to improve security there.

Justice Roberts checks out of hospital (AP)

AP - Chief Justice John Roberts walked out of a hospital in Maine Tuesday, released a day after he suffered a seizure. The White House said he told President Bush he was doing fine.

Hilton selling her Hollywood Hills home (AP)

AP - Paris Hilton is selling her Hollywood Hills crib.

Elvis managers plan Graceland overhaul (AP)

AP - The thousands of Elvis Presley fans descending on Memphis for the 30th anniversary of his death Aug. 16 won't see much sign of it, but plans are moving along for big-time changes at Graceland.

Usher stays mum about canceled wedding (AP)

AP - Usher and his pregnant fiancee, Tameka Foster, canceled their wedding last weekend, but they're apparently still together.

Giuliani offers health care plan (AP)

AP - Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani on Tuesday offered a consumer-oriented solution to the nation's health care woes that relies on giving individuals tax credits to purchase private insurance.

Goldmans awarded rights to Simpson book (AP)
AP - A federal bankruptcy judge has awarded the rights of O.J. Simpson's canceled "If I Did It" book to the family of the late Ronald Goldman to satisfy a $38 million wrongful death judgment against the former football star.
German cyclist admits testosterone use (AP)

AP - German cyclist Patrik Sinkewitz was fired by his T-Mobile team Tuesday and acknowledged he "secretly" used a testosterone gel before failing a doping test in June.

Hospital bans Crocs for workers (AP)
AP - Crocs, the rubbery, clog-like shoes, have been deemed inappropriate footwear for workers in patient-care areas at a hospital.
Yard dug up after 4 tiny bodies found (AP)

AP - Experts examined genetic material from four tiny bodies discovered at the Ocean City home as investigators resumed digging Tuesday with bulldozers in an overgrown lot next door.

Newsfeed display by CaRP