Pella Window leaking right below bottom sill

Any window experts here? Recently had some severe wind driven rain in a south facing window, which is encased in mortar around the frame. We had some water come into the bedroom and get the carpet a little wet. I removed the interior bottom window trim and found water was coming in directly under the bottom sill and seeping down the stud onto the floor and running. Traced it to the outside and found mortar to be broken away under so i caulked under the frame where it meets the stone. My question is, in the pics you can see a vertical gap under the bottom middle of the frame, should I caulk or putty that gap? im worried any rain could "force" itself behind there and once again cause water to drive in. I dont have any weep holes on the window so im not sure if thats the purpose of that gap...

 

You have what is called a mulled window which is 2 separate windows joined together (usually in the factory). That is why there is that vertical gap. Yes, you can caulk it. There is no guarantee that that is where the water is coming in so you should leave things open on the inside until you are sure. Sometimes caulking the bottom of the window will only serve to trap water that is coming in somewhere higher up so you have to be careful.

 

Thanks, I reached out to Pella service and they said to go ahead and caulk it as well. I have a window bench that goes in that area so i'll leave the bottom uncovered so i can see the floor for now. Thanks!

 

Hello, as Rich said about keeping this area open until you find out where this water
is coming in. I would remove the drywall below the window and insulation so you
can see any leaks. The last thing you want is mold down there.
Good luck my friend.

 

Are those Pellas wood frame wrapped with aluminum ? If the are they could be allowing moisture into the corner joints rotting the wood underneath . Came across a a different manufacturer who made windows that way years ago . That won't likely be your water point of entry however .

In a former life did window replacements working for a home builder/renovation contractor .