How to Repair Missing Stucco around a Bedroom Window - Part 1 of 5 - Troubleshooting the Leaks

Fig.1 The window

By Gary Boutin

Supplies and Tools:
The Estimate

Tom J. lives in Wrightwood, California and called my repair service to investigate why the window was leaking air, wind and rain into the bedroom. This job was done with my good friend Carl, who helped me solve this problem.

This post shows the eight steps for an estimate for repairing a leaking window.

Step 1: Fig.1 above shows the window with a 1x4-inch wood trim. Looking at this window trim it does not appear like there is anything wrong. Tom said the window was always drafty, but he had never checked out the problem.
Step 2: Fig.2 shows that when the wood trim was removed there was a large gap opening all around the window and there was no protection from the weather.

Fig.2 Old attic vent

Step 3: Fig.3 shows more openings that were not addressed. An attic vent had been above the window and never covered. The attic was exposed without protection from the weather. Tom stated that the attic vent was blocked and it was supposed to be repaired, but the vent never made the repair list.

Fig.3 No window flashing

Step 4: Fig.4 shows left side has a cracked corner in the stucco from installing the window. The original installer used a cement saw to cut the opening and this caused the stucco to crack.

Fig.4 Cracks in stucco

Step 5: Fig.5 shows top right corner also has large cracked and cut stucco edges.

Fig.5 Cracks in stucco

Step 6: Fig.6 and fig.7 shows the right and the left side of the window that has a one-inch crack on both sides.

Fig.6 No flashing 
on right side

Fig.7 No flashing 
on left side

Step 7: Fig.8 shows the bottom right side is also unprotected. The window was screwed inside the wood studs on both sides. Drywall work would be needed around the inside of this window as well.

Fig.8 No flashing 
on bottom side

Step 8: Fig.9 shows the bottom of the window. On the inside no caulking was used to stop the air from coming into the bedroom. The original installer gave the clients a great deal on this good quality Pella® 350 vinyl window. The good investment on the window more than allowed for the repair of the stucco exterior.

Fig.9 No flashing on either
side of this window

How to Repair the Missing Stucco around a Bedroom Window:

• Part 1 of 5 - Troubleshooting the Leaks
• Part 2 of 5 - Felt and Caulking
• Part 3 of 5 - Installing Stucco Wire
• Part 4 of 5 - Stucco Patch
• Part 5 of 5 - Stucco Primed

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