all doors and windows leaking

sjp206 · Sun Nov 27, 2011 10:12 pm

so i have a older mobile home i had bought and it was not taking care of at all. rotted floors and such doors have leaks from improper caulking. i fixed the floors with 3 quarter plywood, that was not hard at all. but my question is how do i fix the windows to stop leaking they are single pane and sweat like crazy, plus i think the screws holding them in are loose causing leaks and in turn the frame that holds them up warps and rots. also the doors have a leak also from who knows what i am thinking from the screws in the metal or maybe leaking through the metal somewhere who knows. how do i fix this, caulk or something like it. this trailer has not got a vapor barrier at all. just metal screwed to the wall studs and that is it. so how do i stop these problems. because i do not want to have to spend 2 grand siding this house with vinyl just to stop leaks. i am sure it is a easy fix just need advice from people more advanced at this then me. any help would be greatly appreciated from yall

p.s love the site

JD · Mon Nov 28, 2011 2:30 am

Hi and welcome to the site.

1/4" screws can be replaced with slightly longer 5/16" scews (#10 x 1" or 1 1/2") Old caulking should be removed and new caulking applied. Check the seams of the metal siding.

But I have to say that most times when people tell me they have window leaks, they turn out to be roof leaks above the window.

Greg · Mon Nov 28, 2011 6:19 pm

As JD said, Check the roof first. If you find that the windows are the problem, replace them with a quality double hung window. If you do the work yourself you can do it for $200-$300/per window depending on the window you choose. If you plan on living there for any time, change them - You will be glad you did.

Greg

sjp206 · Mon Nov 28, 2011 9:57 pm

well this is just a fixer upper and i am selling it along with a few more till i can get me a new one shouldn't take but a year or three of fixing and selling them................. anywho, how would one check to see if there is a leak in the roof above the doors. what are some signs to look for, i am still fairly new to fixing them up and i am absorbing all i can like a sponge. from what i heard though they already coated it with tar about about a year ago. i know it is the windows almost certainly as far as the doors that is what i don't know. anyways any help is appreciated and never forgot

JD · Tue Nov 29, 2011 10:06 am

If you have an old galvanized roof with a lot of asphalt type roof mastic, you could have a major roof problem. Black mastic does not work very well on a metal roof and the elastomerics that will work won't last over mastic. Without a picture or a very good description of the leak areas, it would be hard to suggest a procedure for repair. The mastic - how many layers, how old is the newest layer, does it show cracking, is there pitted rust under the mastic, is there a flashing, awning or gutters attached to this area and anything else that would describe the problem.

bobfather99 · Tue Nov 29, 2011 12:58 pm

If possible, remove all previous repairs, then caulk around the windows and doors. If you remove/replace the screws, put a drop or two of sealer on each one to help seal everything up. I do agree with the previous posts, check the roof for leaks and work your way down until you find your problem. Good Luck!!!

sjp206 · Tue Nov 29, 2011 11:40 pm

i don't know what type of room it is but i will take a pic tomorrow or so and post it here no problems at all. i thank yall so much and yall is a god sent to me and look forward to being part of this community. hopefully when yall see the pics it will give you a better understanding, or at least i hope so anyways.............. so thanks for the help again fellas i appreciate it.

p.s would a youtube video be better for yall maybe then a picture