Windows are not as simple as they used to be. With time and evolution, almost everything has changed, windows being one of them. Window flashing too has reached a whole new level of complexity.
What is window flashing?
Window flashing comprises the bulk water diversion during the window installation process. It is a connection between the window and the wall used for better separation.
Avoiding seven mistakes with window flashing
Omitting a sill pan under windows
When a sill pan is omitted there is nothing in the window which can hold the water that enters between the window and the wall. Water that anyhow reaches the sill area is likely to get inside the home and cause a regular leak. Thus, one must never omit a sill pan during window flashing.
Using a sill pan with no end dams
There should be three proper sides to a sill pan. These are back-dam and two side dams. If it doesn’t have two and pans it starts acting like a gutter. The pan will collect water and direct it to jambs. The only thing worse for a window without sill pan is a widow with sill pan without end dams.
Applying window sealant that prevents drainage
Traditional a sill pan used to be a soldered piece of metal that sits under the window. Once installed the window installer will typically apply a sealant all around the window. It allows sill pan from draining. A sill pan which doesn’t allow the water to be drained to the exterior can cause such trouble to the interior. To protect internal leak you need to provide an alternative path or seal the joints smartly.
The sill pan does not integrate into the wall flashing
If the sill pan is not integrated with wall flashing there will no way to protect water leak. Sill cans are not designed to be integrated with surrounding flashing but is supposed to match window flashing nz to prevent leak. If the water is not directed to sill can it cannot be drained to the exterior.
The sill pan is not properly sloped
There are joints on the sill pan and the slope is what allows the water to be drained in a particular direction. The seal will fail much faster if they are submerged. These will create leaks in the window.