leaking window

[Richard Roshak]

Received a call from a client I performed an inspection on 10/11/11. One window leaked during a heavy wind driven rain. Contractor says all windows are installed incorrectly on this 7 year old ranch on a slab. Attached first picture shows green stain below left side of leaky window, #2 shows stain below left side of window not leaking and #3 is of a stain with no window above. Contractor says leaks have been ongoing for many years. The remaining pitcures show wall cavity of leaky window. Comments welcommed.

[Garry Sorrells]

The fact that a window leaked during a driving rain may only be a design issue of that window.
The windows may have not been installed correctly which is a different issue.
A correctly installed window may leak. An incorrectly installed window may not leak.

The stains that have occurred may or nay not have anything to do with the windows.
The fact that there are stains where there are no windows would tend to suggest it is a siding issue.
Is it possible that driving rain could be getting under/behind lap joints of siding?
Is there house wrap behind siding?
Gutter design look correct and sufficient to carry high volume of water?

Pull a couple of courses of siding off and see what is going on underneath it.

[Jerry McCarthy]

You can take this to the bank; "All windows leak!" :p

[Garry Sorrells]

Jerry,
Don't tell that to a guy on a Sub. Though it is all about design limits.

[Billy Stephens]

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Contractor says leaks have been ongoing for many years.
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Comments welcomed.
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Did The Contractor Inspect the Windows Years ago ?
* if not they did not show any nondestructive visual evidence of Leakage on 10/11/11. ;)
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[Dom D'Agostino]

You need to have some wide view photos to show the whole wall. The green stain doesn't say too much without knowing what else is above it, and how the components were assembled.

I wouldn't be surprised if the wall assembly and window flashing were incorrect.