Skip to content
forebot.
Sign inBook a demo

Leak in wind-driven rain or water behind siding.

A trained crew should open cladding or work from a ladder.

Customers put it like this

  • it only leaks in big storms
  • it leaks when rain blows from one side
  • water comes in around the window
  • the siding is rotting by the roof
Prepare this job in ForeBotFind another guide

Stop first if

  • There is ice, a wet surface, frost, high wind or lightning.Stay off ladders and the roof. Log the conditions and that nobody went up.
  • Cladding must come off from a ladder.Leave it to a trained crew with proper access.
  • Rotted framing moves or cracks.Keep people clear and call an engineer.
01

Ask on the call

4

Homeowner? These are the questions a good technician will ask you. Having the answers ready makes the first visit count.

  1. Does it leak only with wind from certain directions?
  2. Where does water appear: ceiling, wall or window?
  3. Is the glass wet on cold days, or only in storms?
  4. When was the siding or window work last done?
02

Bring

6
  • Flashlight
  • Moisture meter
  • Awl or probe
  • Binoculars
  • Phone for photos
  • Extension ladder and fall protection
03

Check on site

6
  1. Compare wind direction on each leak date with where water appears.
  2. Look at soffits and vents, which can admit rain. Check ridge vent ends and end caps.
  3. Look for short laps and marks traveling upslope.
  4. Check that the wall barrier laps like shingles, with head flashing under the flap. Check J-channel tabs.
  5. At windows, check the sill pan and confirm weeps are open. Look for fishmouths in tape.
  6. Separate glass condensation from a true leak.
04

Keep on the record

4
  • Leak dates with wind direction
  • Moisture readings along the wall
  • Photos of laps and flashings at openings
  • Rot found at siding ends near the roof

General guidance for a qualified person, not a finding about any home. The person on site decides.