[Water leakage from window frames during typhoon and rainstorm] Are the windows spraying water during the violent storm? Experts in water, electricity and waterproofing teach you three-step emergency water drainage, silicone waterway plugging and a solution for water seepage in double-north window frames.
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[Water leakage from window frames during typhoon and rainstorm] Are the windows spraying water during the violent storm? Experts in water, electricity and waterproofing teach you three-step emergency water drainage, silicone waterway plugging and a solution for water seepage in double-north window frames.

✍️ SOSfix Technical Engineering Team⏱️ 4 min read📅 Published: 2026-09-09T09:29:46+08:00

Water seepage in window frames: the physical pressure difference effect under strong wind pressure

Whenever a strong typhoon strikes, the Taipei area is densely populated with high-rise buildings, which often creates strong saddle effects and valley breezes between the buildings. Under strong winds and rain, window glass and aluminum alloy window frames will withstand huge positive wind pressure. At this time, rainwater on the outside of the window frame will accumulate in the aluminum groove guide rail. According to Bernoulli's law of fluid mechanics, when the outdoor wind speed is extremely high, the pressure difference between indoor and outdoor will form a strong suction force, which will force the rainwater that has no time to drain out of the guide rails into the room along the aging windproof strips, worn brush strips, or the aging silicone cracks between the window frame and the concrete exterior wall (waterway blockage). This is also the main physical reason why windows are usually fine when it rains, but water leaks and soaks the wooden floor once it rains, which can easily damage high-end decoration and the residual value of the house.

Step one: Emergency self-rescue in typhoon weather "Physical water drainage and diversion defense"

When the typhoon is raging and water has begun to seep into the window frames, do not blindly apply new wet silicone, because silicone cannot be bonded to wet surfaces at all. Plumbing and waterproofing experts suggest that the first step in emergency self-rescue is to drain the accumulated water in the aluminum groove of the window frame. You can use sharp tools to check whether the "outdoor drain hole (drain valve)" at the bottom of the aluminum window is blocked by dirt or gravel. Clearing the drain hole can quickly drain the water in the guide rail to the outside, reducing indoor water seepage pressure. Then, use disposable anti-leak absorbent strips and dry rags stuck at the indoor joints of the window frames, and use plastic floor protective films to physically divert and guide the overflow water into the drainage bucket to prevent the water from soaking the wooden floor or wallpaper and control the damage to a minimum.

Step 2: First-aid repair after the weather clears "Indoor side-blocking waterway construction method"

About 3 to 5 days after the wall has dried after the typhoon, it is the best time to carry out partial repair. If the budget is limited or exterior wall construction is temporarily unavailable, the water, electricity and waterproofing master will first remove the aged and cracked caulking at the junction of the indoor window frame and the cement wall. Use a utility knife and scraper to scrape it off thoroughly, then use stain removal oil to degrease and dust the surface to ensure it is completely dry. Then apply "single-component polyurethane caulking agent (PU)" or mildew-resistant and weather-resistant neutral silicone. When applying, a special scraper must be used to forcefully press the silicone into the gap to ensure that it is tightly bonded with the aluminum and cement base to form a continuous waterproof plug waterway defense line without holes to block the intrusion of wind pressure and rainwater in the future.

The third step: Shuangbei high-standard radical cure plan "Exterior wall high-altitude crane structure waterproofing and waterproof grouting"

To completely cure the window frame leakage, indoor repair alone is not enough, you must start from the outdoor facing surface. Professional waterproofing root repair projects in the greater Taipei area will dispatch aerial cranes or spider rope technicians to remove deteriorated silicone and pulverized cement around outdoor window frames. Next, a high-penetration primer is sprayed to enhance the strength of the base, and then high-quality "anti-UV modified silicone (MS polymer caulking agent) for outdoor use" is applied. If there are honeycomb structures or hollow cracks in the concrete around the window frame, the waterproofing master will also perform "high-pressure pouring of rubber polyurethane foaming agent (injection method)" from the indoor side to fill the tiny gaps inside the structure. In decoration design or commercial flip properties, completing high-standard waterproofing of exterior wall window frames is a necessary value-preserving strategy to improve the asset's disaster resistance level and ensure that the lease contract will not be interrupted by wind disaster.

🇹🇼 Expat Living Note: Home Repairs in Taiwan

If you are an international resident renting an apartment in Taipei, New Taipei, or anywhere in Taiwan:

  • Voltage & Electrical Safety: Taiwan standard household voltage is 110V (60Hz). Do not plug 220V imported European/UK appliances directly without a certified step-up transformer.
  • Plumbing Terminology: Local plumbers are called 水電 (Shuǐdiàn) and handle both water and electrical repairs.
  • Landlord Obligations: Under Article 429 of Taiwan Civil Code, landlords are legally responsible for repairing natural wear and tear (such as hidden wall pipe leaks, water heater faults, or booster pump failures) unless explicitly waived in your lease.

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