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Leaking pole barn windows

jwvess00

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 25, 2009
Messages
167
Location
Paris, KY
Hello,

The previous owner of my house built my 36x50 steel siding pole barn in 2004, and installed two metal-framed windows (36x48, I think). 2x4 framing was nailed between the girts inside, then 2x4s nailed on edge beside that, to frame the rough opening. The windows were nailed through the flange to the lumber. The whole shop was then wrapped in vinyl-faced fiberglass.

I don't know if the owner knew the windows were leaking but at some point he nailed Luan to the girts under the windows. I removed the Luan and the fiberglass wrap when I framed the walls so I could insulate and finish the interior.

That's when I noticed the wood was soft under the windows, and when it rained there ws water trickling down the inside of the siding.

The sill under one window was rotten, and the girt under both windows were rotting out. I cut out the rot, which didn't extend very far beyond the windows, and removed the sill as well.

The window is wrapped in dark brown metal trim on the outside, forming a gutter around the windows that also seems to act as flashing? That seems okay except there's a small gap where the corners of said metal. I think water is running down the gap between the white window and the brown trim, and dripping through that gap between the bottom and side of that metal.

The first photo is the outside of the building showing the brown trim and the white window.

The second shot shows the inside. The white window has the brown trim on the side and bottom but they don't meet in the corner. The gommed-on caulk was an "oh ****" post-leak-discovery patch since we've had quite a bit of rain this summer.

So, what's the right way to fix this? Is sealing it with silicone on the inside sufficient? Outside? Do I need to remove the window and re-do the metal (and how do I do that? I've not worked with sheet metal trim before). Something else?

All thoughts are appreciated.

leaky-window-outside.jpg

leaky-window-inside.jpg
 
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jwvess00

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 25, 2009
Messages
167
Location
Paris, KY
Hello,

I just noticed that the top trim goes over the top of the side pieces, but that's not what was done at the bottom. Was that intentional (i.e. to attempt to let rain drain down the channel between the window and the trim and exit the bottom) or was that a mistake? Both windows are like that. If the metal on the bottom extended past the side pieces like it does at the top, it may not have leaked? Any thoughts are appreciated.
 
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sandslot

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 28, 2012
Messages
50
Always recommend sealing outside, removing damaged interior material, drying out with dehumidifier and reinstalling new material
 

theoldwizard1

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 22, 2011
Messages
43,100
Location
SE MI
The bottom sill must have about a 10-20° downward angle. There also should be a saw kerf under the sill to break the surface tension the wood allow the water to wick back inside.

This Old House has done several videos featuring Tommy Silva showing how to properly cut and install a window sill.

Here is one video. Obviously it is not on a pole barn.

How to Replace a Rotted Windowsill
 
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