Thread: Caulked flashing on new home?

Hey Guys,

Looking for some input on the caulked flashing on the lower lip. This is the second time this week I've seen it on a brand new home. I questioned the builder whose response was, "We hired a new guys and probably shouldn't have done it" the second builder said that Pacific Home Warranty required that the flashing be caulked. Some new houses have it, some don't.

My option this needs to be able to breath. If it's sealed closed it kind of negates the effect of the vented rain screen, thus sealing in moisture.

Thoughts?

Originally Posted by Paul Friesen

Hey Guys,

Looking for some input on the caulked flashing on the lower lip. This is the second time this week I've seen it on a brand new home. I questioned the builder whose response was, "We hired a new guys and probably shouldn't have done it" the second builder said that Pacific Home Warranty required that the flashing be caulked. Some new houses have it, some don't.

My option this needs to be able to breath. If it's sealed closed it kind of negates the effect of the vented rain screen, thus sealing in moisture.

Thoughts?

I would say that it is fine having caulk in this location to support drainage away from the window. You have engineered drain holes above that point IMO.

Charles Wallace
Top2Bottom Home Inspection LLC
Edmond, OK 73025

Originally Posted by Paul Friesen

Hey Guys,

My option this needs to be able to breath. If it's sealed closed it kind of negates the effect of the vented rain screen, thus sealing in moisture.

Thoughts?

Agreed. The caulking should be cut out or at least have weeps.

In my view there is no problem with where the caulking has been applied. Weep holes are open and that is what matters.

I would probably rather see the caulk since I have no faith that the flashing is properly installed.

Being as that flashing is probably simply there for the vinyl siding and not for the window-to-the-structure, caulking it probably only slightly affects the amount of water running down the back side of the vinyl siding.

If that was not caulked, the water would more easily drain down and around the window, then out over the front of the vinyl siding - provided that flashing was even properly installed, which, as Mark said, it likely was not.