Rain leaking through aluminium window frames — how to seal?
The few rainy days we get, water seeps in along the bottom of the aluminium window frames in one room. The glass itself is fine. Is this a re-sealing job or something structural?
3 answers
Rarely structural — it's almost always one of two things:
- Blocked weep holes. Aluminium windows have small drainage slots on the bottom outer edge of the frame that let trapped water escape. In the UAE they clog with dust and sand, so water backs up and comes inside instead. Find them and clear them with a thin wire — this alone fixes a lot of leaks.
- Perished external sealant. The silicone bead where the frame meets the wall dries and cracks in the sun. Rake out the old sealant and re-apply a proper exterior-grade neutral-cure silicone.
Do the weep holes first (free) before anyone sells you a re-sealing job. If it still leaks after that and the sealant is cracked, then re-seal. Only if water is coming from behind the frame is it a fitting/waterproofing issue. Re-sealing the frame, clearing the weep holes or re-bedding the unit is work for an aluminium and metalwork specialist in Dubai.
Weep holes were completely packed with dust. Cleared them and re-did the outside silicone bead. Next rain — bone dry. Brilliant, thank you.
The same principle applies to any roof/wall glazing leak, not just windows: the water usually gets in at the seal or flashing at the junction, not through the glass, and it often tracks along before it drips inside — so you trace the real entry point and re-seal/re-flash rather than siliconing where it drips. If it's a skylight/rooflight leaking (and maybe fogging), there's a thread on repairing a leaking skylight with the same find-the-flashing logic. Leaks are nearly always the junction, rarely the glass itself.
People also asked
- Are aluminium roller shutters worth it for a Dubai villa — security, heat and blackout?3 answersAluminium & Glass Work
- Insect screens for windows and doors — what are the options and which work best in the UAE?3 answersAluminium & Glass Work
- Getting a new shower screen — framed or frameless, and how do I stop it leaking?4 answersAluminium & Glass Work
- Draughty aluminium windows letting in dust and heat — how do I seal them?2 answersAluminium & Glass Work
- Balcony sliding door is stiff and hard to slide — how do I fix it?4 answersAluminium & Glass Work
- Remraam apartment windows and balcony glazing are getting tired — what upkeep do these community blocks actually need?2 answersAluminium & Glass Work
More in Aluminium & Glass Work
- Meadows villa: the original aluminium windows and sliding doors are 20 years tired — refurbish the frames or replace everything?3 answersAluminium & Glass Work
- Al Barari villa: our big glazing keeps misting up in all the greenery and humidity — how do we keep it clear and the seals healthy?3 answersAluminium & Glass Work
- Aluminium window handle spins but won't lock — is the multipoint mechanism gone, and can it be repaired?3 answersAluminium & Glass Work
- Dubai Hills villa owners — the big floor-to-ceiling glazing: how do you actually maintain and repair it?2 answersAluminium & Glass Work
- The ACP cladding on our building is delaminating and fading in patches — can it be cleaned/refinished or does it need replacing?3 answersAluminium & Glass Work
- Our aluminium window frames are going dull with white powdery pitting — can they be cleaned/refinished or do they need replacing?3 answersAluminium & Glass Work