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we have newer awning windows that are somehow leaking onto the ledges on the inside of the paint to lift off. the guy said that it was due to moisture from the screens dripping into the track and flowing over (yeah right!). he then made the weeping holes larger so that the water would flow outside. they're still leaking. anyone have any ideas on how to remedy the problem?
"chaos reigns within.
reflect, repent and reboot.
order shall return."
microsoft error message with haiku poetry
"a great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices."
w. james
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If the window is getting direct rain, soaking the screen, you need more overhang or "eyebrows", small awnings of metal roof or plastic directly over each window. This'll leave the rest of the siding exposed so be sure it's well painted. If you're near volcano, get this fixed right away as the rains are coming.
Gordon J Tilley
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thank you. i figured it out. the windows were either improperly installed or the caulking is separating and/or not everything was caulked. i did an experiment by shooting a stream of water at the bottom of the hand cranks from the outside. sure enough, the water eventually seeped in through that area.
"chaos reigns within.
reflect, repent and reboot.
order shall return."
microsoft error message with haiku poetry
"a great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices."
w. james
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Contact the Manufacturer. Most newer windows are covered by a warranty (of course, the guy may have voided it by making the holes bigger!)
It sounds like there may not have been a good sealant seal, or proper taping of the windows...
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Kani,
How long have these windows been in? Are they new? Is this a new problem? What type of siding? Are these windows true awning windows and not jalousies? What are the frames made of? Aluminum? Vinyl? Is the water showing up only when it rains? Are the windows taking direct pounding rain? Windows in a wall are not designed to withstand a direct downpoor or stream of water from a hose. Otherwise we could use them on the roof.
Dan
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Carey nailed it! that's what the problem is. the contractor was supposed to be here at 1pm to try again to rememdy the problem. he hasn't shown up yet.
danielp: 3 years. the problem has been ongoing from the get go. the contractor has come up with excuse after excuse. aluminum (victor brand windows). no, the water shows up even if the windows are completely shut down and no rain. these are awning windows that were not properly sealed. the windows are not taking on pounding rain and were not directly shot down with a water hose. i used a spray bottle from the outside and shot a stream at the corners. no sooner did the water seep inside. somehow, the water/moisture is sitting on the window box/frame. because it wasn't sealed at all, the water is making its way in.
"chaos reigns within.
reflect, repent and reboot.
order shall return."
microsoft error message with haiku poetry
"a great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices."
w. james
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My aluminum awning windows don't even leak in horizontal Cat 3 hurricane rain. I wish I could say the same for my gable end vents.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
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Kani,
Perhaps there is more than 1 problem; improper sealing and condensation. If the moisture is showing up when the windows are shut and there is no rain, then that points to condensation, especially with aluminum windows. Aluminum windows transfer heat (or cold). If the house is warm and humid when the windows are closed in the evening, then the windows are cooled by the nightime outside temperatures, the interior moisture will condense on the aluminum frames and drip down. What elevation are you?
Dan
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oink: lucky you! and i mean that sincerely. your windows were installed properly.
danielP: you are absolutely correct. to remedy the problem, the service/maintenance person said that behind the "torque bars" were either not sealed or the sealant is faulty in some way. also, because the window/glass parts of the frame (not sure of the proper terms) were not sealed (he popped off the 1/4 round looking piece)and sure enough there was a hole. this is where the water is dripping on the frame/box and seeping behind the torque bars when the windows are shut down completely. that's how the moisture/condensation gets into the house.
so, i told him to leave the sealant with me so that i could do the window parts. he will come back next week to seal behind the torque bars. why? i need to paint the areas ASAP so that this house can be rented out. i can't paint if the wood is always wet. we haven't moved to puna yet (had our inspection on that property yesterday which had it's own problems)and this kailua, o'ahu home is 1 block from the beach.
"chaos reigns within.
reflect, repent and reboot.
order shall return."
microsoft error message with haiku poetry
"a great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices."
w. james
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Kani,
Please don't take my posts as argumentative. I like to solve challenging problems.
I checked out the victor window website. They offer 3 levels of quality for their awning windows. V-100,V-200 & V-300. Only the V-300 model has a thermal break integrated into the aluminum. This feature is offered to reduce condensation problems.
Condensation moisture only comes from inside of the house unless it is colder inside than outside; Warm moist air meets cold aluminum=condensation. If the moisture appears, as you say, even when it is not raining and the windows are closed, then the culprit sounds absolutely like condensation.
There could also be an issue with proper caulking of the window flange, which could allow rain infiltration, but according to the Victor window website, the caulking can be done after the window is installed.
Good Luck, Dan
P.S. Have you checked the relative humidity in the house? Have you tried running a dehumidifier for a few days? The reason I asked about your elevation is that higher elevations get colder at night which makes condensation more likely.
