Water Behind My Siding

At some point in the past an owner had vinyl siding installed over old siding.

Water behind my siding.

Here are common problems associated with moisture behind siding. Check to be sure weep holes are open along bottom of window openings. Ensure that exterior casing is sealed to the exterior sheathing or water resistive barrier with a good quality sealant. Siding is designed to direct water away from a home but flashing helps close the gaps between siding and other materials.

Inspect the area above the leak including both indoors and out. When the roof shingles do not extend past the metal drip edge the water will suck back on the metal drip edge this is called capillary action and run behind your gutters. Window headers are another area where water and mold spores can enter your siding. Rainwater leaking from a gutter ends up behind siding and causes a wall to rot.

This can be accomplished by using a portable field brake. Install rigid head flashing i e drip cap on top of. As water flows off the roof it is important that it is channeled away from the headers using flashing. Rotting sheathing mold growth damage to foundation walls insect infestations.

Flashing is a thin strip or sheet usually metal installed at junctions between exterior surfaces to control water flow. In this video this old house general contractor tom silva shows how to prevent water from leaking in behind vinyl siding. Vinyl siding requires special inside and outside corner units in addition to the trim that. Remember one of the main hardie siding problems is water damage however it s also one of the easiest to prevent with proper installation.

The flashing keeps water off the sheathing and drains water properly which prevents water damage. It often borders windows and doors roofs chimneys and thresholds. However if the flashing is broke or not properly attached water can seep behind the siding allowing mold to grow. Water can also seep in behind faux stone and other external walls around your home.

Cover the exterior casing with aluminum or vinyl trim sheet. Since water runs downward unless it s being driven by strong winds the standard method for. Water which makes it s way behind the hardie siding should hit the flashing layer. Here the biggest danger is water seeping in behind your siding and causing permanent damage to more vulnerable materials.

Capillary action is a water activity in which water adheres to a surface and follow the surface around.