Whistling windows - can't find source

[McKendrigo]

Hi,

Over the winter our bedroom window started whistling in the wind. I've tried in vain to find the source of the problem, so any advice for things to try would be appreciated.

Here's what I've tried so far that hasn't solved the issue:

- draught excluder around the windows
- sealing any small gaps between the window interior and the wall where the caulk had split
- sealing any gaps between the window exterior and fascia
- sealing around the window interior with duct tape (!)

I've noticed that even with the window open a little, or pressing against the window frame, the noise persists and doesn't change intensity or pitch, which suggests to me that it's not wind whistling through the window itself.

I also noticed the noise was quite loud and clear when I pressed my ear against the fascia where I've marked with a red arrow one of the images. The fascia has a little bit of give when I pushed it, which I fixed by screwing it down more, but that didn't fix it either. I can't see any more obvious gaps around the fascia, at least without someone (not me!) climbing out onto the roof to search for the issue.

My next thought is to remove the interior PVC strip that covers where the window meets the wall, fill any gaps, reattach and reseal (green arrow in the other image). Then, failing that, do the same on the exterior.

Any other suggestions would be great. As you can imaging, this is doing my head in!

 

[crank39]

Try this, grab the door handle in the room and open and close it at fast as you can, don't have to close it or open it fully just the longest sweep you can manag and as fast as you can, the door will act like a bellow and suck and blow air through the window. I speak from experience here, the culprit is very likely the silicone around the trims, as it's been forced in the small gap when they ran a wet finger over it it's pushed through and gone paper thin behind the trim, as the wind blows through some gaps on the outside this silicone vibrates like a reed and makes a noise like a kazoo

 

[McKendrigo]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. I tried your trick of opening and closing the windows - can't say I heard the whistling sound when I did that, though it's possible it was masked by the sound of the hinges squeaking.

I did, however, spot some iffy looking silicone around the exterior trim. It was a narrow gap, but fairly long, and I could see it opening wider when I pressed against the uPVC to flex it. It's roughly in the same area as where I heard the sound the loudest. I ran a bead of all weather sealant across it, will have to wait for some wind to find out if it worked.

Thanks again for the tip!

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

On a windy day, you can use a candle or incense stick to find air leaks.

 

[McKendrigo]

On a windy day, you can use a candle or incense stick to find air leaks.

Tried that, didn't work out unfortunately. I even went as far as sealing the windows shut from the inside with duct tape, thinking that if it fixed the problem I'd at least have found out where the problem was, but the whistling persisted. Might try again though!

Running a bead of sealant over the spot on the trim that I mentioned above also didn't work. I've run another bead further along the trim in case I missed something that's not obvious by eye.

Man, this is the most infuriating problem! Probably all that's needed is a bit of sealant or tape in the right place, but actually finding that place is maddening!

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Can you hear the whistling noise outside?

 

[@tlan]

Try this. Read the first 6 words in post no. 2 again ! !