Leaks & Building

BuildingWrench repair guide

Leaks & Building

Cracked Exterior Sealant: When to Recaulk and When Not To

Failed exterior sealant can admit water and air, but smearing new caulk over old material rarely lasts. Proper repair means removing failed sealant, preparing the joint, and preserving designed drainage paths.

Last reviewed 2026-09-12 · General facility-maintenance information, not a substitute for site procedures, manufacturer instructions, codes, or qualified professional judgment.

Routine facility fixSkill: Beginner-friendlyFormat: Diagnose → Fix → Test
Ask AI About This

Safety boundary

Protect occupants first and avoid unsafe roof, ladder, ceiling, electrical, or structural access while tracing water.

Full troubleshooting steps are in Pro

The safety boundary, quick answer and stop-work conditions above stay free. Pro opens the likely causes, symptom table, step-by-step procedure and preventive maintenance for this guide.

Stop and call a licensed professional when

  • Joint is part of curtain wall or specialty glazing
  • Access requires lift or fall protection
  • Substrate is deteriorated
  • Failure recurs repeatedly

Mistakes, FAQ, parts and tools

Pro opens the rest of this guide: common mistakes, field FAQ, the parts list, and the tools for the job.

Related guides

Leaks & Building

Water Coming Under an Exterior Door: How to Find the Entry Path

Water at an exterior door can come through the threshold, failed sealant, door sweep, jambs, masonry joints, or exterior drainage that sends water toward the opening. Start outside and follow the path instead of immediately replacing weatherstripping.

Leaks & Building

Water Leak: Find the Source and Control the Damage

Stop the water if there is an accessible isolation valve, keep people and electricity away from it, then trace the path from the lowest wet point up to the highest. Condensate, roof, supply piping, and drain leaks all look the same on a ceiling tile.

Leaks & Building

Ceiling Leak After Rain? How to Trace Where the Water Is Coming From

A wet ceiling tile often is not directly below the exterior leak. Rainwater can travel along roof decking, framing, conduit, piping, insulation, or wall cavities, so document the wettest point and trace the path upward and outward.

Leaks & Building

Commercial Window Leaks During Rain? How to Find the Entry Point

Do not assume the visible wet spot is the failed joint. Water can enter above or beside a commercial window through perimeter sealant, flashing, masonry, glazing gaskets, or the wall assembly and then travel before appearing indoors.