New window installation is a very common home improvement, and when you install new windows it's important to caulk them well.
At least I think so.
The feature list on the house proudly proclaimed that it had efficient, new windows recently installed. To me that is always a great feature.
So imagine how proud I was so see such fine caulking on this recent new window installation!
And all over the house!
The caulking was beautiful - smooth, small bead, very clean. They even used the right caulking - not the clear silicone so popular today!
It filled all the gaps too!
Around the window frames that is.
Unfortunately around the windows, and again, all over the house, wood was rotting badly. Very badly.
Even this excellent caulker had a hard time with it.
It sure is difficult to get that nice smooth, small bead when you have to deal with those pesky, huge, rotten gaps.
I was a little shocked, I have to admit. Not only was the job not nearly completed, they didn't even paint!
Why not suggest that the rotting wood get replaced first? THEN install the windows.
The windows might be the newest, bestest, most efficientest windows ever invented. But when you install them without taking care of all the rotting spots (and again, rotting wood around the windows all over the house) it does somewhat take away from the windows as a great feature!
My recommendation: a feature might be a great feature, but if what is done is not professional it really doesn't add benefit to the house! This job has been made dramatically more difficult by having to remove rotting wood and fit the new pieces into place around new windows. Damaging the windows might be in the offing at the same time. Make sure the feature isn't a subsequent tragedy! And cause more work in the long run...
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 
Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.
Office (703) 330-6388 Cell (703) 585-7560
Jay I had high hopes when I first started reading the post. Shame the sellers did not go ahead and do the right thing. thanks
Hello Jay,
All the expense of new windows, and not taking the necessary step of replacing the wood too. It will be a shame if those lovely windows pop-out as their surrounding support completely rots out and "gives way".
Perhaps they're just not finished.
HA!
I have seen new construction home that had no caulking at all. Nailed into place and drywalled and trimmed on the inside and vinyl on the outside. Leaks everytime it rained.
Good morning Jay,
It is called cutting corners for the "profit."
Make yourself a great day.
Notice it's not in the Best Practices group James!
Some of the windows were exceptionally rotten Lisa. But they were high up. This photo, low to the ground, had enough information for the post though!
Lenn - yet they have accepted a sales contract! A previous one fell through, I heard, because of the home inspection. Hmmmm....
I had one of those this week Richard! It will make a good follow-up post!
There wasn't must corner to cut here, Raymond, as the corners are already rotting away...
That's a ha ha.
Jay, Wow.....hard to believe that anyone would install new windows into the midst of obvious wood rot. You just never know what people will do next.
New windows on top of rotten wood...ouch...a sight for very sore eyes !
Bliz - some of the windows were dramatically worse off, just high up and harder to get a good close up.
S&D - isn't that amazing? I was shocked. What obviously bad work.
Hi Jay,
I love it when a home touts a "brand new" something just to find out it was not installed the correct way.
Makes me mad when I find this stuff. The buyer is always counting on it being done the right way.
Have a great day in Bristow.
Best, Clint McKie
They do, Clint, and things can be disappointing when not done right. This represents a lot of future work for somebody!
That guy needs to get all those fancy "cake-decorator" attachments for his caulking gun---especially the one with the "full-bore" opening.
Ain't it perty Charlie! Can you imagine this guy installing windows, carefully caulking them, and ignoring all the rot. This window was not nearly the worst!
Jay -- but it wasn't the window installer or the caulkers job to call out the rot. They are very specialized. ;-)
Jay - it's all about the entire picture, isn't it?
Nor do we want the left hand to know what the right hand is doing Steven! ;>)
Michael - this was truly amazing to see - all these new windows, and all that trim rot!
Good afternoon, Jay.
Reminds me of the song, "Caulk your windows well, the weather's hell, will slowly rot by...
I will put my head back down on my desk...
Thanks Michael. When you wake up, will you awaken me? Thanks...
I might pass on that on Robert! I can imagine John Wayne's accent when he says it!
Why so frugal with the caulk? They obviously missed the gaping, rotting holes.
Hey, they hired him to replace the windows... nobody said anything about the wood surrounding it!
I like the cake decorating attachment idea Charlie mentioned... lol, great idea!
Jim - rot, there's no stinkin' rot! This is the same house as the Waldo post.
Fred - I once saw a chimney guy repair a firebox with one of those. It worked great!