Covered on a Rosemead visit
- Old, cracked exterior caulk cut out where the frame meets stucco or siding
- New exterior-grade sealant tooled into the joint and painted when needed
- Interior gaps between frame and drywall caulked and touched up
- Worn pile weatherstrip on aluminum and vinyl sliders replaced
- Weep holes at the bottom of slider tracks cleared so rain drains out
- Gaps around window AC units and through-wall pipes sealed
Outside what we take on
- Cutting new openings for doors or windows.
- Glass replacement; a glass shop handles panes and sealed units.
- Garage door openers, springs and tracks.
Windows and winter in Rosemead
A lot of homes from around Rosemead’s 1959 median build year had original windows swapped for aluminum or vinyl sliders, often set into the old stucco opening with a bead of caulk around the outside. After years of sun, that bead shrinks away from the frame, and the first winter rains find the gap.
Sliders seal with fuzzy pile strips rather than gaskets. When the pile flattens, air moves straight through the closed window. New pile in the right height is a small part that makes a noticeable difference on a cold night.
How a window gets resealed
Find the gaps
We check the outside joint, the inside trim and the slider seals on each window.
Remove the old bead
Failed caulk is cut and scraped out so the new sealant bonds to clean surfaces.
Seal and tool
Backer rod goes into wide gaps, then sealant is applied and smoothed.
Replace pile and test
Worn slider pile is swapped and each window is closed and checked.
When it’s not a caulk problem
Fogged double-pane glass, cracked frames, or water coming through the wall below a window point to failed glass or flashing, which goes to a window or stucco contractor.
While we’re out for this, Rosemead customers often add weatherstripping and door sweeps, window lock and latch repair, caulking and grout repair, window leak repair or blinds and curtain rod installation.
What to text
A photo of the outside edge of the window, one of the inside, and the number of windows that feel drafty.
Window draft questions
Why are my windows so drafty?
Shrunken caulk around the frame or flattened slider seals. Resealing and new pile usually fix it.
Should windows be caulked inside or outside?
Both. Outside keeps water out; inside stops air at the trim.
Can a handyman caulk windows?
Yes. Stripping old caulk and resealing frames is routine work.
How much does window caulking cost?
It depends on the number of windows and how much old caulk comes out. Send photos for a free estimate.
Can you fix a drafty window in a rental?
Yes. Owners and tenants can text photos, and a tenant can let us in.
When is the best time to recaulk windows?
Dry weather before the rains, so the sealant can cure.
Worth a read: what our weatherstripping exterior doors guide says about window caulking and draft sealing.
Window tips for Rosemead homes
- Aluminum sliding windows and screens that stickWhy aluminum sliding windows in Rosemead homes get hard to open, how to clean the track and weep holes, and when rollers, latches or screens need replacing.
- Sealing drafty exterior doorsLight, dust or drafts around your front door? How to check weather stripping, sweeps and thresholds on Rosemead homes. Text a photo for a free estimate.
Jobs like this one are everyday work for our Rosemead handyman service, from the blocks off Garvey Avenue to the streets near Rosemead Park. A photo by text gets you a quote first.
Part of wall patching and paint touch-ups. You can also browse all our services or read about repairs in postwar Rosemead homes.