How to Diagnose Storm Leaks in Louisiana & Mississippi Homes

After a hurricane or squall, water near a window doesn’t always mean a roof failure. Across the Northshore, Greater Baton Rouge, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, many “window puddles” are wind-driven rain sneaking past tired gaskets, clogged weep holes, or weak flashing at the opening. Use this guide to tell window leak vs. roof leak, keep clear notes for your insurer, and decide when to call Southern Home Improvement for diagnostics or replacement.

Use the quick index below to jump to what you need now. If you’re currently dealing with water, start with safety and fast checks. If you’re researching upgrades for next season, focus on inspection and FAQs.

If you’re mid-diagnosis, skim Sections 2–4 first and come back to the stories later. For scheduled work or estimates, Sections 5–6 outline how we evaluate openings and propose solutions.

1) Safety & first steps

Quick actions reduce secondary damage and make later repairs simpler. Focus on power, people, and preventing water from spreading. Keep your notes short and factual as you go.

Shut off power to outlets near wet areas. Move rugs and electronics out of the splash zone.
Blot standing water and mark the current wet edge with painter’s tape plus the time — it shows spread over time.
Open interior doors and run a fan or dehumidifier to lower indoor moisture.

Once things are stable, note what you did and when. These details help your adjuster understand the timeline and your mitigation efforts.

2) Window vs. roof — practical signs

Separating causes is about where the water starts and how it travels. Look for origin points, then compare what you see to the patterns below. If your observations match both columns, we’ll help isolate the dominant source during an on-site check.

When symptoms concentrate within the opening itself, the assembly is often the culprit. Check the sill, lower corners, gaskets, and drainage track before assuming a roof failure.

Likely a window/opening issue

Moisture on the sill, lower frame corners, or jambs; the ceiling and upper wall stay dry.
A damp line right at the glass-to-bead or along sash weatherstrip.
Leak appears only with sideways wind from that elevation; vertical rain doesn’t trigger it.
Weep holes in the frame are clogged; water sits in the track.

If most of these match your situation, the window/opening is the likely source. Proper flashing and a clear drainage path usually resolve recurring intrusions.

If staining begins above the unit or shows up after a delay, the path may originate higher. Inspect the soffit, head flashing, and any gutter above the opening.

Likely a roof/wall-above issue

Staining starts above the head of the window or at the ceiling/crown and trails down.
Wet top corners of the niche or damp drywall above the unit after delays (water traveled inside).
Overflowing gutter or loose head flashing dumping water onto the wall right above the window.

These signs suggest upstream intrusion that only passes the window on its way down. Addressing the roof-to-wall details and drainage prevents repeat damage.

Even impact glass needs a correct opening with flashing, sealant, and drainage. See our professional window installation overview for how a coastal-ready window integrates into the wall.

3) What to write down for your claim

A short, dated log speeds up review because it shows sequence and conditions. You don’t need special forms — just consistent notes in plain language. Capture what started first, where, and under which wind.

Timing: when the leak started and how fast it spread (use your tape marks and times).
Wind & side of house: which elevation faced the wind (north/south/east/west).
Origin point: “sill only,” “lower left jamb,” or “ceiling above the head.” Specifics help the adjuster.
Weep status: “weep holes clear/blocked”; note if water sits in the frame track after rain.
Upstream conditions: “gutter overflowing above,” “loose head trim,” or “drip from soffit.”
Immediate actions: fans/dehumidifier used, temporary tape at head/sill trim, cleared weeps.
Receipts/logs: costs for drying or temporary protection with dates.

Keep entries to one or two lines each and date them. Bring this page to your agent; it’s often enough for next steps.

4) Temporary stabilization that won’t hurt a claim

Short-term measures reduce secondary damage while you schedule permanent fixes. These actions are simple, reversible, and focus on moisture control and drainage paths. Avoid sealing over wet materials permanently.

Lower indoor humidity (fan/dehumidifier). Keep interior doors open for circulation.
Clear weep holes gently with a plastic zip-tie (avoid metal picks).
As a short-term measure, apply painter’s tape along the exterior head/sill trim if wind is pushing rain sideways. Avoid smearing silicone on wet substrates.
Fix gutter overflows or extend the downspout so water isn’t dumping above the opening.

These are stopgaps, not final repairs. Schedule evaluation promptly so underlying causes are corrected before the next storm cycle.

5) What our window inspection includes

When you’re unsure about source or scope, start with a window diagnostic. We examine the assembly as a system — opening, product, and surrounding cladding. The goal is a clear cause and a clean plan.

Check drainage channels, flashing stack, squareness, and weatherstripping condition.
Document findings in plain language your insurer can use — location, conditions, and likely cause.
Recommend a sash/IGU repair or full window replacement with a coastal-correct installation if the opening is the root cause.

You’ll receive options prioritized by urgency and budget. If the issue traces to roof-to-wall details, we’ll note that clearly so you can coordinate the right trade.

Planning stronger protection for the next season? Compare options in our guide to impact windows vs. storm shutters, and see how opening protection fits coastal ratings in the Gulf Coast Window Guide.

6) Real Gulf Coast stories (composite)

These short case notes mirror common patterns we see after storms. They’re composite and anonymized, but technically accurate.

Metairie, LA — “The puddle by our window wasn’t a roof leak.”

Only in a west wind; ceiling dry; wet sill and left jamb. We cleared weeps, refreshed a tired gasket, and added proper head flashing. The written findings emphasized wind-driven rain at the opening; the claim moved forward.

Gulfport, MS — “The gutter spilled into the wall seam above the window.”

After a squall line, a sheet of water rolled over the gutter edge into the head trim seam. We corrected gutter pitch, replaced head flashing, and re-sealed trim. The opening itself was sound.

Baton Rouge, LA — “Old frame + new glass = hidden leak path.”

A laminated unit sat in a racked opening. Heavy rain steered water behind fresh interior plaster. We re-set the frame plumb/level, rebuilt the flashing stack, and sealed correctly. Dry in the next storm.

FAQ — Louisiana & Mississippi

Questions below come up often during storm season. Use them to plan next steps and decide when to bring in our team.

Is this condensation or a real leak?

Condensation usually creates a symmetrical moisture band along the bottom of the glass on hot, humid days. See coastal tips in Window Leaks & Condensation.

My insurer says “wear and tear.” What now?

Provide a concise log: timing, wind direction, which elevation, where the moisture started (sill/jamb/above head), weep status, and any upstream overflow at the gutter or head flashing. Clear, dated notes help move the file.

Would impact windows have helped?

Impact glass helps protect the envelope against debris and pressure, but correct flashing and drainage are still essential. If you plan upgrades, our replacement window service pairs coastal specs with proper installation.

Need help now? Request a visit: Free Estimate or call Northshore (985) 643-6611, Capital Area (225) 766-4244, or Mississippi Gulf Coast (228) 467-7484.