Water getting into new window

[Marb67]

I bought this 8 x 6 Tiger potting shed in Feb of this year and sealed all the windows with clear waterproof, mold resistant silicone sealant. For the life of me I cannot see how water is getting into the shed (the darker dry water stain is a result of my own from painting with acrylics) as the flow runs off down past anywhere rain can get in. I know we had a downpour last night but when I stood in the shed yesterday while it really poured hard there was no water. It seems that somehow, water always gets in. There is also black mold around the bottom of the windows too. There is no condensation inside the shed on the pvc windows either which rules that out. Pretty gutted as I don't want this thing to go downhill with damp. I could strip it again and re-seal but there are no dry days ahead.

Any people with better experience of these type of shed windows and stopping water ?

[veggiechicken]

Is it blowing in under the window frame?
Have you sealed that?

[Marb67]

The window frame overhangs considerably and it would mean water would have to defy gravity and run backwards and upwards to get in. There are no winds at all and the shed is close to the house which shelters it from wind.

[nickdub]

I'd go out on a dry day with a hose pipe or watering can and try dribbling water in different places to see if I could duplicate the leak and so isolate exactly where the water is getting in - sometimes water will get sucked in to a narrow crack due to capillary action.

[Marb67]

Perhaps exceptionally forceful rain just gets in and normal weather will be ok. I have done this a couple of times already, thinking I have sealed it and no water for weeks and then it gets in. I did yesterday squirt jets of vinegar water at the bottom of the windows from inside to try and eradicate mold but I wouldn't have thought that would pull rain in from outside or would it ?

[roitelet]

It only needs one drop of water to get in and all the other drops follow.

[ESBkevin]

From the photos my guess would be under the frame somewhere.

[bikermike]

water can very easily go up/down/sideways - whichever way you don't want it to...

I'd have a close look for cracks/gaps etc all round and then do the watering trick

[Greenleaves]

Wood also shrinks and expands...Dosent matter how well you have preserved it.

[Chestnut]

The rain here is bouncing off the ground. Presumably it can do the same off a window ledge?
For a temporary measure, tarp and guy ropes to keep the rain off the shed, until you can find the hole.
Once the wood has dried out, it might also be possible to paint the inside with waterproof paint, so the wood doesn’t get damaged, even if a bit of water sneaks in ;-)

[nickdub]

If you can find a possible leak site and you aren't to worried about looks, a squirt of bodgey foam is a possible fix

PS don't tell any real builders I suggested this (walks away whistling, trying to look innocent)

[bikermike]

Be careful with bodgy foam - if water is getting in, if it can't get out, you may be making the problem worse...

and don't overdo it...
Funny expanding foam story
(work-safe, unless you make canoes...)

[Jwood0123]

I bought this 8 x 6 Tiger potting shed in Feb of this year and sealed all the windows with clear waterproof, mold resistant silicone sealant. For the life of me I cannot see how water is getting into the shed (the darker dry water stain is a result of my own from painting with acrylics) as the flow runs off down past anywhere rain can get in. I know we had a downpour last night but when I stood in the shed yesterday while it really poured hard there was no water. It seems that somehow, water always gets in. There is also black mold around the bottom of the windows too. There is no condensation inside the shed on the pvc windows either which rules that out. Pretty gutted as I don't want this thing to go downhill with damp. I could strip it again and re-seal but there are no dry days ahead.

Any people with better experience of these type of shed windows and stopping water ?

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I have noticed silicone can cause leaks to occur in situations where they shouldn't - my closest guess has been due to the hydrophobic action of silicone. in your photo I believe the water tension may allow water to slip upwards between the frame and the glass - include silicon into this and that would possibly make it more unpredictable.

The photo from inside looks more like condensation to me thought, possibly there is a breeze in that area causing a cold spot? maybe spread some kitchen roll out to see if it is coming from anywhere.

[Jwood0123]

If you can find a possible leak site and you aren't to worried about looks, a squirt of bodgey foam is a possible fix

PS don't tell any real builders I suggested this (walks away whistling, trying to look innocent)

you should be safe Nick, people are more likely to meet bigfoot than a "real builder"

[nickdub]

you should be safe Nick, people are more likely to meet bigfoot than a "real builder"

Just trying to cover myself in case someone of the "you shouldn't do it that way " brigade came along - I know really that bodgey foam is often a poor choice but its relatively cheap and quick - so if I'm trying for a quick fix without taking a shed or whatever apart then, I'll give it a try - obviously usual warnings apply eg if you are dealing with a expensive window in a proper house, then try to get it fixed properly.