The Window Wasn’t the Problem. The Flashing Was.

The Window Wasn't the Problem. The Flashing Was.

We were called out for window leak repair around a large front window. The homeowner assumed the window itself had failed.

It hadn't.

The problem was visible from the ground.

The Missing Piece You Can Actually See

Proper header flashing above a window should be visible from the exterior. It's the small metal "cap" that directs water out over the trim and siding.

On this house, it simply wasn't there.

No removal needed. No invasive demo. The window had no proper metal header flashing protecting it from rain.

In Oregon, that's not a small detail.

Why This Window Required Custom Work

This was an oversized opening - much wider than a standard residential window.

Off-the-shelf flashing wouldn't span the full width properly. Piecing together short sections would create seams, and seams are where water eventually finds its way in.

So we fabricated a custom Z-flashing, built as a continuous piece to match the full span of the window.

One piece.

Full coverage.

No joints.

Installed the Right Way

We bent the metal with proper slope, integrated it behind the weather barrier, and lapped it over the siding so water sheds naturally away from the wall.

Flashing works on one simple principle: water must always have a path out.

If that layering is wrong, water goes behind instead of over. Done correctly, this kind of window flashing repair prevents moisture intrusion.

The Real Lesson

Most window leaks aren't caused by bad glass or failed seals.

They're caused by missing or poorly installed flashing.

It's a small detail - visible from the outside - but it protects the entire wall assembly.

This window is now properly protected, built to handle Oregon rain the way it should have from day one.