Home Page link

What is the best way to replace bad window flashing but keep the window ?

Home| Search | About
Login Password
Register Now! Lost Password?

Building Construction - Building Construction Industry Discussions. 

Bookmark this page:  YahooMyWeb Yahoo!  Google Google  Windows Live Favorites Windows Live  del.icio.us del.icio.us  digg digg  Add to Netscape Netscape
Subject Author Date
What is the best way to replace bad window flashing but keep the window ? Billbax 07-08-2006
If you were  Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options
Posted by Billbax on July 8, 2006, 8:39 pm
The house was built in 1965 and some of the windows are original wood
but most of them are newer vinyl replacements which I'm guessing are
about 10 years old. As of late in learning about home ownership, I've
noticed that the aluminum flashing looks somewhat sloppy and worn. I
wonder because of the way it looks if it's even doing it's job.

Each window has a 4 inch wide strip of aluminum flashing on its
perimeter.
The sides are just tacked on the outside on the frame without any
contact to the window itself and loosely cover up the wood. I can pull
them back sideways to look at the original wood underneath which is
painted but not rotten thank god.
The top piece of flashing starts below the drip edge and corners down
much like the side pieces.
The bottom piece however seems to be attached to the window on all of
them, which is installed as it should be from what I've gathered, but
the corners don't meet or reach the side flashing and some of them have
tears.

Bottom line question is, is there a way to replace the aluminum
flashing so that it performs as it should without removing/replacing
the windows ? The siding is cedar shingles.

Thanks, BIll.


Posted by tbasc@bellsouth.net on July 9, 2006, 9:17 am

Billbax wrote:
> The house was built in 1965 and some of the windows are original wood
> but most of them are newer vinyl replacements which I'm guessing are
> about 10 years old. As of late in learning about home ownership, I've
> noticed that the aluminum flashing looks somewhat sloppy and worn. I
> wonder because of the way it looks if it's even doing it's job.
>
> Each window has a 4 inch wide strip of aluminum flashing on its
> perimeter.
> The sides are just tacked on the outside on the frame without any
> contact to the window itself and loosely cover up the wood. I can pull
> them back sideways to look at the original wood underneath which is
> painted but not rotten thank god.
> The top piece of flashing starts below the drip edge and corners down
> much like the side pieces.
> The bottom piece however seems to be attached to the window on all of
> them, which is installed as it should be from what I've gathered, but
> the corners don't meet or reach the side flashing and some of them have
> tears.
>
> Bottom line question is, is there a way to replace the aluminum
> flashing so that it performs as it should without removing/replacing
> the windows ? The siding is cedar shingles.
>
> Thanks, BIll.

You don't mention staining of the interior wall.
If it appears that no water is getting into the wall, I would leave
well enough alone.
TB


Posted by marson on July 9, 2006, 9:45 am

Billbax wrote:
> The house was built in 1965 and some of the windows are original wood
> but most of them are newer vinyl replacements which I'm guessing are
> about 10 years old. As of late in learning about home ownership, I've
> noticed that the aluminum flashing looks somewhat sloppy and worn. I
> wonder because of the way it looks if it's even doing it's job.
>
> Each window has a 4 inch wide strip of aluminum flashing on its
> perimeter.
> The sides are just tacked on the outside on the frame without any
> contact to the window itself and loosely cover up the wood. I can pull
> them back sideways to look at the original wood underneath which is
> painted but not rotten thank god.
> The top piece of flashing starts below the drip edge and corners down
> much like the side pieces.
> The bottom piece however seems to be attached to the window on all of
> them, which is installed as it should be from what I've gathered, but
> the corners don't meet or reach the side flashing and some of them have
> tears.
>
> Bottom line question is, is there a way to replace the aluminum
> flashing so that it performs as it should without removing/replacing
> the windows ? The siding is cedar shingles.
>
> Thanks, BIll.

the most critical thing is to have head flashing at the top, which is
tucked behind the siding and directs water to the outside of the trim.
the 4" flashing you describe is mainly put on to cover old trim (and
are you sure it is aluminum? typically would be coil stock--painted
galvanized steel). repairs at this point would involve getting some
good high quality oil based caulk and caulking any gaps and also making
sure the replacement window is caulked properly. a good lumberyard
should be able to order you color matched caulk. i wouldn't go beyond
that unless there were signs of water intrusion--leaking windows,
rotted wood, etc.

if you really want to fix it right, rip out the old window, trim, and
replacement window and install a window with fins and flash it
properly. not a cheap option however.


Posted by Billbax on July 9, 2006, 10:26 am
There is no leakage or stains on the interior that I can see, but
some of the caulked seams of the flashing corners have come apart and
they look rather sloppy and loosely fit. I see it as a potential
problem and am just checking if this existing flashing shouldn't be
touched or if there are practical ways to replace it.

I believe the white flashing strips are aluminum as they were
installed on the vinyl window frames and are extremely light and
pliable.

I'm currently leaning towards leaving in the bottom flashing if
possible as they go underneath the windows as they should and giving
some attention to the weathered drip sills. The rest sounds as if it
can be replaced as-is since it's just attached to the window frame and
yeah, I'd love to fix it right but removing all of the windows to get
proper flashing installed sounds nuts.

Thanks for the feedback.
Bill


Similar ThreadsPosted
Flashing window in concrete cutout August 24, 2007, 8:37 pm
U.V. window film August 15, 2006, 7:29 pm
Small Bay Window 45 x 45 September 2, 2006, 3:30 am
Okay to have different window styles? October 5, 2006, 10:24 am
what is the best window caulk? October 22, 2006, 10:52 am
Window Size ? February 14, 2008, 6:32 pm
Window soundproofing March 30, 2008, 1:42 pm
Window trim material? October 9, 2006, 3:06 pm
window vs curtainwal system February 27, 2007, 4:08 pm
Hurricane Window Film March 7, 2007, 11:11 pm

Contact Us | Privacy Policy

XML SitemapXML Sitemap