AboutBill Rodgers Expertise I have years of experience dealing with water infiltration issues associated with windows and doors. I have been a certified EIFS installer and am familiar with all types of stucco and masonry veneers.
I can help you select the best windows and doors for any residence or multifamily building.
Experience I've been a building contractor since 1977. Prior to that time I was the building official for Frederick County Virginia. I'm currently licensed in six states including: Oregon, Arizona, California, Hawaii, New Jersey and Florida. My primary business is solving and correcting water infiltration problems in residential structures.
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland, 1972. I am an accredited instructor for the Installation Masters Institute. I regularly teach window and door installers how to be Certified Master Installers of windows and doors. The Installation Masters Institute is currently licensed to and administered by Architectural Testing Inc. for the American Architectural Manufacturer's Association.
Yes - my house is wood frame with brick veener. Yes, the windows are similar to the windows in the rest of our house not your typical basement windows. We have a french doors that walk out onto our patio. Also, I asked my husband the black goop was called asphalt sealant...
I just checked it's been about 3 hours since the rain stopped it's pretty much dry now. You can see where each drip originated from...
Thank you so much for responding. If you need any further information please let me know...
Thanks, Stacey
Answer
Hi Stacey,
"...the dining room hasn't leaked again. Somehow I'm thinking that isn't the correct way to fix the problem."
You're right, that is not the correct way to solve the problem. If the weather barrier, that is supposed to be behind the brick veneer, was intact your windows would not be leaking at all. However given the difficulty factor with removing the brick veneer to solve the problem your next best solution is to attempt to seal up the brick veneer as your husband has done with the asphalt sealant. (There are better sealants that can be used to seal the margins between the windows and the brick veneer than asphalt.) Once you attempt to use the brick veneer as a "Surface Barrier Wall" you will find that the wind is very adept at forcing water through the tiniest of cracks. You may well find your self locked into a regular yearly maintenance regime of inspection and caulking, likely forever.
If it was my home AND I knew that there was a weather barrier under the brick veneer I'd bite the bullet and remove some brick work till I could see the problem area and flash it properly.
I suggest that you hire a mason who is familiar with window flashings and ask him for a consultation. I'd be glad to review any digital photographs you take of the conditions you find as you expose them.
