Expert: Bill Rodgers - 6/27/2009

Question
QUESTION: We recently (six months) ago moved into our custom home. This spring we experienced a heavy rain / storm and a large amount of water came into our home via the patio doors, both upstairs and downstairs.  The downstairs doors (which is under a deck) had the most water coming in . . . enough to soak towels that could be rung out.  This door has since been replaced and when the installer used a garden hose to see if water would come in, it did.  The amount of water wasn't much, but if water comes in using a garden hose, this doesn't make me feel too confident that during the next big storm we won't have the same problem.  These are Integrity patio doors (R30).  I don't think any water should be coming in the doors.  What is your opinion?  Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi Brian,

My bet is that your doors leaked because of installation errors rather that any manufacturing defect.

How did your installer use the garden hose to test the doors?

Did the water come under the doors? Did they leak from their heads? Did the water come over the threshold?

Could you give me a link to the Integrity Patio Doors website. Is "R30" the model or series? I'd be glad to review their information and get back to you with some ideas.

Please ask a follow up question, to answer my questions.

Thank You
Bill Rodgers



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the reply.  The garden hose was sprayed at an angle at the top and center of the doors.  The water then came into the inside tray from the sides.  The integrity link is integritywindows.com  I believe R30 is the series.  It's supposed to withstand winds from 30 - 40 mph.  The test with the hose sure didn't have 30 - 40 mph winds behind it.  Thanks again.

Answer
Hi Brian,

Regarding the hose test. I believe that hose test results are among the most subjective of measures and really don't impart much information, beyond it's leaked or it didn't at that particular vaguely documented exposure.

I checked the website. Couldn't find anything about R 30 Patio doors. I'm going to stick out my neck and assume that your patio doors are sliding doors. Am I correct?

If so, it's totally normal for a sliding patio door to have some accumulation of water in the track/weep system during rainy weather. If the door is installed level and none of the weep holes are obstructed this water should drain away without notice. If water is over flowing the interior portion of the threshold I would first check to see that the weep system is not obstructed. Then I would look to see how well the threshold is sealed to the subfloor, be it concrete or wood. Lastly I would attempt to minimize the amount of water that is allowed to sheet flow onto these doors.

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Hope you find this helpful.

Bill Rodgers