Water Under Vinyl Siding

Wood siding and other traditional cladding materials allow the wall to breathe.

Water under vinyl siding.

Tracking down the leaks in a vinyl sided building. How to prevent water from flowing under vinyl siding gravity and shedding water. Installing insulation over moisture or existing rot can create larger headaches later. Some contractors that favor vinyl may go so far as to say it s borderline waterproof.

Before the vinyl siding is installed on the house a waterproof underlayment called house wrap must be placed on the osb to prevent water from seeping through the siding and reaching the osb where. Use a caulking gun to apply a continuous bead of silicone sealant along the vertical seams between the vinyl. Water vapor may move through the wall construction but it can escape during colder weather. Vinyl siding requires special inside and outside corner units in addition to the trim that.

Since water runs downward unless it s being driven by strong winds the standard method for. Vinyl siding itself is waterproof and directs most water flow away from the exterior but even a small gap can allow water through. Vinyl is the rare siding product that remains completely unaffected by water behind it. In reality although the vinyl material itself is waterproof the numerous seams and gaps that occur during installation aren t.

The roof and foundation doors windows and any other breaks in siding create opportunities for moisture to seep in. Check to be sure weep holes are open along bottom of window openings. Inspect the area above the leak including both indoors and out. Rainwater from missing or improperly placed gutters can end up.

Vinyl siding may permit moisture below the surface the main purpose of cladding like roofing is to keep water out of your house. Water passing over wood and other building materials but behind the vinyl siding can easily pick up pigments that stain the foundation wall outside. If the builder failed to install a weather barrier this sort of staining is more likely. Flashing or caulking if installed which is rare would be of no.

Lack of gutters installed on the top roof of the home. See water barriers exterior. It is a misconception that vinyl siding doesn t need a water. The most common causes of water damage behind vinyl siding include the following.