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SillDry Blog

Common Mistakes for Moisture Leaks

Oct 7, 2020 / by SillDry

Moisture leaks in your home or business can lead to a number of severe issues if left unchecked. Material rot and degradation can compromise the structural integrity of your building, while mold and mildew create a threat to your health. There are many common mistakes for handling moisture leaks, including not finding the source, ignoring the problem, and using temporary solutions.

Not Finding the Source

SillDry window flashingIt is not always easy to find and fix the source of a moisture leak. Moisture leaks are caused by a several factors, including gaps or holes around windows and doors, incorrect flashing installation around openings, wrong window sill angles, and poor material selection for flashing and drainage layers.

When you discover a leak, it is critical that you locate the actual source of the moisture intrusion rather than merely covering it up. Without repairing the source of the problem, water from a leak may continue to collect in cracks and crevices, in ceilings, behind walls, and under floorboards, where you won't notice the damage until it is too late. Repairing the problem at its source allows you to mitigate any damage already done and prevent the problems from worsening.

Ignoring the Problem

Ignoring a water leak is a surefire way to find yourself with thousands of dollars in remediation costs. Without proper treatment, moisture from a leak can seep into drywall, floorboards, subfloor, and structural supports, causing dangerous rot and degradation that can ultimately compromise the stability of your building. Standing water and wet drywall also encourage microbial growth such as mold, mildew, and fungus that can be harmful to the health of residents and personnel. Rather than spending thousands of dollars on structural repairs or medical costs, take care of the moisture leak immediately at its source.

Using Temporary Solutions

One of the most common mistakes for moisture leaks is using a cheap, temporary solution to fix the problem, rather than spending the time and money to repair the leak properly. Although it may seem sufficient to cover the leak with plastic or patch the interior drywall, the leak will continue inside the walls, floors, or ceiling, resulting in potentially harmful moisture buildup that will cost more to repair in the long run.

Temporary fixes on the outside of the building and along window and door sills are just that — temporary. Methods and materials for quick fixes are not designed to withstand fluctuating temperatures, UV exposure, wind, ice, and other adverse weather conditions. With extended exposure, your temporary fix is sure to fail, potentially resulting in more extensive damage. Since leaks are often invisible, moisture could collect for months behind your walls, causing untold damage to your structure and putting your health at risk. Rather than trying to use a temporary fix, invest in a tested and reliable solution.

Choose SillDry for Your Sealing Needs

SillDry window flashing

At SillDry, we understand the challenges that contractors and building owners face regarding water intrusion. Our patented SillDry flashing is specially designed to provide reliable drainage and moisture protection around all of your windows and doors.

The easy-to-install one-piece design features an accordion configuration that allows it to fit openings from 18 inches to 12 feet wide. These are our standard sizes but we also offer custom sizing above 12 feet. A raised dam with drainage channels and 1/2 inch pre- sloped sill ensure that moisture is directed away from the building's interior, while fully integrating with your drainage plane for optimal protection against water intrusion from leaks and condensation. To learn how SillDry can improve your building's moisture resistance, and ensure your building's integrity, contact our experts today to request a demo.

 

Topics: building envelope, flashing solutions, window flashing, door flashing

Sill Dry Industries, LLC.

Written by SillDry


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