Hello everyone
This concerns a solid construction house built in 2018/19, where I have PVC windows.
One of them is a two-sided casement window, connected at the bottom to a fixed glazing panel running the entire length.
So, at the bottom there is floor-to-ceiling fixed glazing about 2m (6.5 ft) wide and above that, two casement windows measuring 1 x 1m (3.3 x 3.3 ft) each.
By chance, I just noticed that the fixed glazing seems to be leaking, and as if that weren’t odd enough, it is at a very unusual spot.
The lower frame consists of two parts, so there is a "plastic joint," a seam or connection between these two parts.
And moisture is coming from there, with some brownish discoloration visible as well.
I’ve attached a photo.
Now, the actual question:
How can this happen?
It’s currently dark outside and raining, so I can’t check whether there are drainage caps or similar. But that’s unlikely on fixed glazing, right?
I hope you have a good tip for me.
It seems that hardly anything underneath the laminate flooring has become damp, but of course, I want to fix the cause as quickly as possible...
Best regards
Enrico
This concerns a solid construction house built in 2018/19, where I have PVC windows.
One of them is a two-sided casement window, connected at the bottom to a fixed glazing panel running the entire length.
So, at the bottom there is floor-to-ceiling fixed glazing about 2m (6.5 ft) wide and above that, two casement windows measuring 1 x 1m (3.3 x 3.3 ft) each.
By chance, I just noticed that the fixed glazing seems to be leaking, and as if that weren’t odd enough, it is at a very unusual spot.
The lower frame consists of two parts, so there is a "plastic joint," a seam or connection between these two parts.
And moisture is coming from there, with some brownish discoloration visible as well.
I’ve attached a photo.
Now, the actual question:
How can this happen?
It’s currently dark outside and raining, so I can’t check whether there are drainage caps or similar. But that’s unlikely on fixed glazing, right?
I hope you have a good tip for me.
It seems that hardly anything underneath the laminate flooring has become damp, but of course, I want to fix the cause as quickly as possible...
Best regards
Enrico
B.Baumeister schrieb:
All these windows are on the upper floor and none have balconies. That’s why they are fixed glazing.
No, I didn’t have a construction supervisor. I can only strongly recommend again to have a qualified expert inspect the site in person. Provide them in advance with all the photos and data you have. The anchors/fixings/... and the edge distances of the screws... don’t look good...
But as I said, with the current data and photos, I really can’t properly assess this from a distance!
profil65 schrieb:
I can only strongly recommend again that you have a qualified expert inspect the site in person. And give them all the photos and data you have beforehand. The dowels/anchors/... and the edge distances of the screws... don’t look good...
But as I said, I really can’t assess this properly from a distance with the current data/photos! Hello @profil65,
I completely agree.
The holes were probably even drilled with a hammer drill, which would have also damaged the cavities!
In hollow concrete blocks, drilling should actually be done without hammer action; that’s why there are special drill bits and installation guidelines from the screw manufacturers.
@B.Baumeister
If I were you, as long as there is still a warranty, I would contact the window installer or the general contractor to consider re-anchoring.
In this context, the fixed glazing will have to be removed anyway, so drainage can also be checked at the same time.
When removing the fixed glazing, please take the time to check the edges of the fixed pane to see if the inner glass is double with a film in between!
Best regards,
Thorben Müller
B
B.Baumeister17 Jan 2023 08:49Thank you for your tips, which have already helped me to be somewhat "prepared" for the discussions with the house building company.
However, it won’t be as easy as you describe.
Don’t expect to simply report that you have pictures of the shell construction showing improper installation, and that the people in the forums agree, and then have them come and fix it properly.
They will disregard that.
At first, there will likely be delaying tactics—stalling, making you wait for an inspection appointment, etc.
They will resist everything to avoid costs.
The only real chance I have—and fortunately, this is clearly a defect that cannot be denied—is to get the moisture ingress corrected. And if that requires work where the anchoring can be checked, that would be my leverage to possibly have additional repairs done.
That’s the reality...
However, it won’t be as easy as you describe.
Don’t expect to simply report that you have pictures of the shell construction showing improper installation, and that the people in the forums agree, and then have them come and fix it properly.
They will disregard that.
At first, there will likely be delaying tactics—stalling, making you wait for an inspection appointment, etc.
They will resist everything to avoid costs.
The only real chance I have—and fortunately, this is clearly a defect that cannot be denied—is to get the moisture ingress corrected. And if that requires work where the anchoring can be checked, that would be my leverage to possibly have additional repairs done.
That’s the reality...
B.Baumeister schrieb:
First of all, they will probably just stall again, delay things, make you wait for an inspection appointment, and so on.
They will resist everything to avoid costs. They won’t even do that if you come with "but people on the internet said so." Check the forum search for keywords like defect notification, defect complaint, and then write formally with a deadline, send by registered mail with return receipt, and so on. Schedule appointments with witnesses and keep minutes. Do you really need all this explained “step by step”? This forum is full of threads on similar topics, with categories and a search function!
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