Noticed a bit of unwelcome water creeping in through your window? Don’t panic! A leaking window can feel like a major headache, but with the right help, it’s totally fixable.

The tricky part? Figuring out exactly who to call.

Should you ring up a handyman, or is this more of a job for a specialist?

In this post, I’ll give you a quick rundown of who to call for leaking windows, depending on how bad the leak is.

Handyman

If you’ve got a small leak or just need a quick fix, you should call a handyman.

These guys know how to do lots of different home repairs, including basic window repair.

They can check out what’s going on, figure out where the water’s coming from, and do things like replace weatherstripping, seal up gaps, or fix minor damage to the frame. 

The best part? They usually don’t charge as much as specialists, so that’s a win for your wallet if the problem isn’t too complicated.

Just keep in mind that if the issue turns out to be more serious, you might need someone else.

General Contractors

If you think your leaking window might be part of a bigger problem, or you’re just not sure how bad it is, you should call a general contractor. An exterior contractor should be fine too.

These guys know a ton about building and fixing homes. 

They’ll look at your window, sure, but they’ll also check out the area around it to see if there’s something else going on that’s causing the leak.

If the water has messed up your walls or floors, these guys can handle all that too.

They can take care of everything that needs to be done to fix up your home!

Window Installation Companies

Sometimes, the problem is the window itself. Maybe it wasn’t installed right in the first place, or maybe it’s just old and worn out. 

That’s when you want to talk to a window installation company. 

Check Out Our Window Replacement And Installation Services

These are the window experts. They know all about different types of windows and what makes them tick (or leak, in this case). They can figure out exactly what’s wrong and fix it. 

If your window is beyond repair, they can help you pick out a new one that’ll keep the water out and might even help you save on energy bills. Bonus!

Emergency Plumbers Or Roofers

Sometimes what looks like a leaking window isn’t actually the window’s fault at all.

If you notice water coming in when it rains hard, or you think the water might be coming from above the window, you might want to call an emergency plumber or roofer.

They can check if the problem is actually a leaking pipe in the wall or an issue with your roof (like ice dams or damaged shingles) that’s letting water travel down to your window.

If you’ve got water gushing in suddenly, these are the people you want to call right away to prevent a full-on home disaster.

Also Read: 1/2 or 5/8 roof sheathing?

Water Mitigation Contractors

Okay, so let’s say your leaky window has already caused some damage. That’s when you might want to call in a water mitigation contractor. 

These guys know how to deal with water damage.

They’ve got special tools to find hidden moisture, they can get the water out of places you didn’t even know it could go, and they make sure everything’s dry so you don’t end up with a mold problem later.

They can also give you tips on how to keep water out in the future and might work with other pros to solve your leaky window problem once and for all.

Wrapping Up

Dealing with a leaky window isn’t fun, but it is what it is.

Who you should call really depends on how bad the leak is and what else is going on. 

For small stuff, a handyman or general contractor should be able to take care of it. If things are looking more serious, you might need window specialists, or water mitigation experts. 

The main thing is to get someone on the job before that little leak turns into a big problem. 

Good luck, and here’s hoping your home stays dry!

FAQs

Window Leak Repair Cost

It costs around $100 – $600 on average to fix a window leak. The exact cost depends on the cause, type of window and extent of the problem.

Can Leaking Windows Be Repaired?

Yes, leaking windows can often be repaired. The most common ways to fix leaking windows are:

• Recaulking the window
• Replacing damaged seals
• Repairing or replacing flashing
• Sealing gaps and cracks
• Cleaning and unclogging weep holes

Who To Call For A Broken Window?

For a broken window, your best bet is to call a glass repair company or a window installer. These pros can quickly assess the damage and either repair or replace the broken glass.

Have you noticed a gap between your window and its frame? 

They’re pretty common, but they can cause some headaches if you don’t take care of them. These little spaces might let in cold air, make your heating bills go up, or even let water sneak in.

In this post, we’re going to look at why these gaps show up in the first place. Plus, I’ll show you how to fill the gap between window and frame.

Why Is There A Gap Between Window And Frame?

There are a few reasons why you might see gaps between your windows and frames. 

Some of these gaps are actually supposed to be there, but others can cause problems and need to be fixed. Let me explain:

Also Read: Who to call for leaking window

Standard Installation Gap

When windows are being installed, the crew will usually leave a small gap between the window frame and the rough opening in the wall on purpose. 

This gap is usually about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (that’s around 6 to 12 mm). 

It might seem odd, but it’s there for a good reason. 

This gives room for the materials to expand and shrink a bit when the temperature changes and also lets the building settle or shift slightly over time without messing up the window. 

Don’t worry, though – this gap gets filled with insulation and sealed up to keep drafts and moisture out, so your window still works efficiently.

Foundation Movement

One of the main reasons you might see noticeable gaps is because of your foundation settling.

As your building’s foundation moves over time, which can happen because of the soil, moisture changes, or other stuff going on outside, it can make your whole house shift a little. 

This movement can throw off the alignment of your window frames.

Gaps like these can let air in, and they might be a sign of bigger structural issues that need attention.

Poor Installation Practices

Sometimes, gaps between windows and frames happen simply because whoever installed them didn’t do it right. If windows aren’t shimmed or leveled properly during installation, it can lead to gaps and alignment issues. 

Ideally, gaps shouldn’t be bigger than 1/4 inch on any side of the window. 

When the installation isn’t done carefully, you can end up with bigger gaps that make it hard for the window to seal tightly against the outside.

Also Check Out Our: Window Installation Services

How To Fix Gap Between Window And Frame

Fixing these gaps is super important to keep your home energy-efficient and comfortable. 

The way you fix them depends on how big the gap is and what caused it. Here are some effective ways to tackle the problem:

#1 Weather Stripping

If you’ve got small gaps, especially between the part of the window that moves (the sash) and the frame, weather stripping can work great.

It’s pretty easy to apply and does a good job of insulating against drafts. 

You can get weather stripping in different materials like foam, felt, or rubber, and it’s easy to cut to size and stick along the edges of the window sash or frame. 

This makes a nice tight seal when you close the window, stopping air from leaking out.

#2 Caulking

Caulking works well for sealing up small gaps, usually ones up to about 1/4 inch wide. 

Using a caulk that can stretch without cracking (like an elastomeric one) is a good idea, especially for areas that might move a bit over time. 

To use caulk, clean the area really well first, then use a caulk gun to squeeze a solid line of caulk along the gap. Smooth it out with a wet finger or a caulking tool to make it look nice and stick well.

This method is perfect for sealing gaps around the window frame where it meets the wall, both inside and outside your house.

#3 Backer Rod And Caulk 

For medium-sized gaps, usually between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch, using a backer rod with caulk can give you a really good seal. 

To use it, push a foam backer rod into the gap. This rod makes a backing for the caulk to sit on and helps stop the caulk from sticking on three sides, which can make it fail over time. 

After you put in the backer rod, put caulk over it to create a seal that keeps out the weather. 

This method works great for bigger gaps that caulk alone might not fill well.

Also Read: Can you put new siding over old wood siding?

#4 Non-Expanding Foam

Non-expanding foam is an awesome choice for filling medium to large gaps without risking messing up your window frame. 

Unlike regular expanding foam, this type is made specifically for use around windows and doors. 

It fills the gap but doesn’t push hard on the stuff around it, which is super important for keeping your window working right. 

To use it, clean out the gap really well, then carefully squirt the foam in, following what the instructions on the can say. Once it dries, trim off any extra foam so it’s flat with the surface.

#5 Expanding Foam

For bigger gaps, usually over 1/2 inch, expanding foam insulation can work well. 

But, you gotta be careful with this stuff. Expanding foam can push really hard as it dries, which could potentially warp your window frame if you don’t use it right. 

When you use expanding foam, apply it sparingly because it will expand to fill the space.

Start by only partially filling the gap, leaving room for it to grow. Once it’s dry, you can add more if you need to. 

After the foam has totally expanded and dried, trim off any extra to make a nice smooth surface.

Wrapping Up

Gaps between windows and frames can happen for all sorts of reasons.

Some gaps are meant to be there and are important for your window to work right, but others can cause energy loss, drafts, and maybe even water damage. 

So figure out what’s causing the gap and fix it.

Remember, while you can do many of these fixes yourself, bigger gaps or those caused by structural issues might need a professional to take a look and fix them.