Comments on: How to Spot Improper Window Flashing

By: Lisa Martin

Lisa Martin — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 06:08:33 +0000

LOOKS LIKE MATT M KNOWS WHAT
LOOKS LIKE MATT M KNOWS WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT.THE CRUDDY COMPANY THAT BUILT THE APARTMENTS I LIVE IN , PUT FLASHING IN WRONG.MANY SICK VETERANS AND DISABLED FORMER HARD WORKING PEOPLE ARE DYING HERE. THIS IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.

By: MattM

MattM — Sat, 13 May 2017 20:03:07 +0000

In reply to abailes. The water that comes down the
The water that comes down the face of the wrap denotes much bigger issues, some type of catastrophic failure. The moisture I'm talking about is the normal breathing of the house through porous gaps in the wrap. You do not want to cut Tyvek and then leave any holes open to freely breathe. Open cuts in the house wrap are invitations to rot. I prefer metal flashing all the way through the cutout sealed by peel & stick to wrap. Metal flashing is installed from bottom to top, to create laps over the previous piece and sealed to the wrap. The peel & stick adheres readily and permanently to both the metal and the Tyvek. Firestone's Waterblock sealant behind the metal to give a second line of defense. Every in-flow of air slowly deposits moist air behind your wrap. As the house exterior warms the air escapes, but the moisture is left behind. Whether you use trim metal or something more significant, you're looking at a detail that won't rot out the window portal. And you're looking at a detail that's sturdy for the installation of window dressings.

By: John Hatfield

John Hatfield — Thu, 11 May 2017 02:07:37 +0000

Allison the detail is wrong
Allison the detail is wrong from the window manufacturers stand point. Today most manufacturers suggest that the Tyvek or similar paper be cut to the exact window opening. Then the sill flashing is installed over the top of the lower sheet of house wrap, the window is then set in the opening with a bead of calk on the sides and top flange against the OSB. The side flanges are then flashed onto the OSB and the house wrap. Finally the top flashing is set under the house wrap as in your installation with the flap taped in place. This is the AAMA suggested install method, although I always require primer on the OSB to get the flashing material to attach better than staples or nails when it starts peeling.

By: abailes

abailes — Wed, 10 May 2017 12:40:34 +0000

In reply to JC. JC, that's a possibility, but

JC, that's a possibility, but it still leaves the problem of water that gets behind the house wrap draining into the window opening.

By: abailes

abailes — Wed, 10 May 2017 12:39:20 +0000

In reply to Matt M. Matt, thanks for your comment

Matt, thanks for your comment. Are there better ways to flash a window? Probably. Will DuPont's Tyvek method work better than what's shown in the photos above? Absolutely.

Since you don't like the method DuPont recommends, I'm interested to hear how you flash a window.

By: JC

JC — Wed, 10 May 2017 11:40:21 +0000

No-flange windows perhaps?
No-flange windows perhaps?

By: Matt M

Matt M — Wed, 10 May 2017 02:15:19 +0000

Where is your improvement in
Where is your improvement in the detail? Moisture comes behind your siding where hot meets cold. The wings of the header flashing are wide open and will redirect water inside the window cutout-jam gap. Your window flashing either requires counter-flashing / termination above the window. Tyvek over your flashing makes proper termination of the flashing unlikely.