AboutBill Rodgers Expertise I have years of experience dealing with water infiltration issues associated with windows and doors. I have been a certified EIFS installer and am familiar with all types of stucco and masonry veneers.
I can help you select the best windows and doors for any residence or multifamily building.
Experience I've been a building contractor since 1977. Prior to that time I was the building official for Frederick County Virginia. I'm currently licensed in six states including: Oregon, Arizona, California, Hawaii, New Jersey and Florida. My primary business is solving and correcting water infiltration problems in residential structures.
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland, 1972. I am an accredited instructor for the Installation Masters Institute. I regularly teach window and door installers how to be Certified Master Installers of windows and doors. The Installation Masters Institute is currently licensed to and administered by Architectural Testing Inc. for the American Architectural Manufacturer's Association.
QUESTION: We noticed water was sitting on the ledge between the transoms and the windows on all of our windows.
This is happening on all 13 brand new windows during heavy rains. After testing we found out this was caused because there are gaps in the seals between the glass & frame of the transom windows. A friend told me that the windows should be removed, re-sealed & re-glazed. The window company came out, put a bead of sealant around the outside of each window & told me they consider this a permanent fix. My concern is that the windows were defective in the manufacturing process and eventually the seal will deteriorate because of Chicago weather & the problem will re-occur. Any thoughts?
ANSWER: Hi Armand,
Please bear with me on this. By "ledge" do you mean the interior window surround or sill?
What sort of windows do you have? Are they aluminum covered wood windows? Are they vinyl? What brand of windows are they? If you give me the name of the manufacturer, the series and the configuration I can look them up and answer your questions more thoroughly.
Please ask a follow up question with the information.
Thank You
Bill Rodgers
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Bill,
The windows brand is "Vision". they are vinyl single hung with a transom above. The water is collecting on the interior window sill directly below the transom (the ledge between the transom window & the main window). The glass spacer code on the windows is Y22807X69C5M. I attached a picture. My questions is - should I insist on removing the glass, re-sealing & re-glazing, or believe their claims that the outside seal will last as long as the inside seal?
Answer Hi Armand,
I agree with you. An exterior "Cap Bead" is not a good trade off against a properly set piece of glass.
From your pictures it appears almost as if your windows are boot glazed, something I doubt. Is there a vinyl gasket between the glass and the window frame?
Most vinyl windows today are either tape or wet set.
If you brace your index finger on the ledge and push on the glass with your thumb, does the glass move? Can you see it separating from the frame? If so they're probably tape set. Can you see white colored foam tape between the glass and the frame? If the tape has lost adhesion or was not well arranged when the glass was set, leaks are likely.
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