10 replies to this topic

[Dude]

Hi,

What do you think?

I've got a year 2000 Chelsea home and most all the aluminum framed fixed windows have warped sills from water damage.

Elliott Homes says it's due to the collection of water from moisture in the air indoors during the cooler weather over the years of being left unnoticed which eventually breaks the seal around the frame and sill.

They claim replacing the sills is not covered under warranty but offered to assist in doing the job when not so busy and provided a direct contact number and asked I stay in-touch... nice enough!

He suggests I use "Damprid" hanging in the closet to remove the moisture before it damages the sills any further and/or again.

[ducky]

I'd say save your money on whatever that Damprid stuff is. You'd be better off just putting towels on the sills to catch the moisture if the warping is due to condensation dripping off the windows.

If the problem is leaking because the windows need to be sealed, putting something in your closet isn't going to solve the problem. Does the window need re-sealing from the outside? I know I check that in the fall.

I'm surprised they still put aluminum frames in newer homes. We had the same problem that didn't go away until we had all our windows replaced with vinyl, but our home is much older.

[curiousity]

What do I think?

I think I would want a second opinion, one from somone that has no concern over CYA.

Preferably one that won't profit from their advice.

[The Average Joe]

The CSLB could probably recommend an "industry expert" to give you a non-biased opinion, but they would charge you. Are these South facing by chance?

I find it difficult to believe that moisture from indoors during the "cooler" times would result in that. Remember, your heater tends to dry out the air. Even some condensation due to rapid cooling on the glass itself would have to be fairly substantial to warp your sill. A house built in 2000 should have thermally efficient windows that typically minimize that kind of condensation.

More likely a marginal seal to begin with. Windows require exterior flashing to be installed properly, or there is a potential of a leak. A little water over a long period can do amazing things....

I replaced one window in my house that I didn't like, and there was NO flashing at all. Kinda makes you wonder...

[mspiess]

Hi as a local contractor I have heard and seen this issue many times. I'm going to give some insight on how to control or eliminate this issue.

Today's home are built and sealed for energy efficiency. Unfortunately this same sealing of the home traps things like humidity in the home. This humidity is attracted to the coldest surfaces in your home which is usually the windows. As the warm moist air in your home contacts the surface of the cold window condensation forms. Usually the greater collection of condensation will form at the lower part of the window due to it being colder. Fortunately there are ways to reduce this from occurring.

1. Use exhaust fans in your kitchen, laundry and bathrooms.
2. Vent gas burners, clothes dryers, etc. to the outdoors.
3. Shut off furnace humidifiers and other humidifying devices in your home.
4. Be sure that the ventilating louvers in your attic, basement or crawl spaces are open and amply sized.
5. Open fireplace dampers to allow an escape route for moisture-laden air.
6. Air out your house a few minutes each day.

Some another thing to think about is when it is raining avoid storing things like wet umbrellas and clothes in the house. These items will dry quickly in the warm house but once again that moisture has to go somewhere. Think about it this way when it is raining and you get in your car with a wet jacket on and you turn on your heater your windows will start to fog. This will go away as it gets hotter and the air circulates.

Usually most window have weep holes on them to let moisture out unless it is a picture window (non operating). I must say that the windows installed in many homes here do have issues. Whether it from improper installation or failing of the window. (many turn a nice gold color between the panes of glass)

I hope this helps some people resolve this issue. If you have further questions I can be reached at 916 367-3733 and would be happy to answer them.

Best Regards,
Mike Spiess
Spiess Construction

[gm2005]

Is this one window or all the windows in the house?

I would ask for a second opinion, but Elliott might be correct. It may not be that the windows are leaking, but that it is just moisture from condensation.

As previous poster stated there can be alot of moisture in a home (especially the newer homes) that someties we ourselves create (running humidifiers, not running the vents etc).

You can also test and see if the windows are actually leaking. Clean up any dust, dirt, etc collected on the window frame, sill, etc.
Then take the hose to the window and see if you can find a leak.

Good luck.

[urkiddinme]

What they've told you is bunk. Condensation does not warp your window sills, improperly installed or defective windows causes that kind of problem. You have a ten year statute of limitations to do something about construction defects, if Elliott Homes can put you off past that date, then they can wipe their hands of you. They are professionals at putting off people with problems.

I would look further into the issue and get a legal claim in if you want the problem fixed.

[Dude]

Thanks everyone for the replies! Since my original post, lots of unrelated things came up and I've been quite busy.

Anyway, I have the warping sills in 2 out of 4 South facing windows. After looking into it in more detail I see that the framing is actually vinyl, not aluminum like Elliott suggested.

None the less, Elliott insists that the sills are not included in the warranty and claims that in the beginning they had agreed to replace a few but have since stopped.

Well, I don't think it's an actual leak because I do see the water collecting and will now just make it a habit to tend to it from time to time.

Thanks again everyone.

[Bill Z]

Thanks everyone for the replies! Since my original post, lots of unrelated things came up and I've been quite busy.

Anyway, I have the warping sills in 2 out of 4 South facing windows. After looking into it in more detail I see that the framing is actually vinyl, not aluminum like Elliott suggested.

None the less, Elliott insists that the sills are not included in the warranty and claims that in the beginning they had agreed to replace a few but have since stopped.

Well, I don't think it's an actual leak because I do see the water collecting and will now just make it a habit to tend to it from time to time.

Thanks again everyone.

Is there a logical reason why 2 out of 4 windows would have this problem? If it is condensation, is there something different about the 2 with problems vs. the 2 without.
e.g. drapes are kept closed on the problem windows and they are in bedrooms whereas the drapes are opened on the other two windows which are in the kitchen/family room/living room open section of the house.

Are the non-problem windows sheltered from the weather outside better than the two problem windows?

I'm still questioning the is it condensation or not?

When the weather clears in a few days, you may want to give it the ole garden hose test.

If you hose down the windows frame and edges real good and you don't get water inside, then I would have more confidence in the window being sealed.

[Dude]

Hi Bill,

You're correct, the problem windows are bot in the bedroom where the blinds are pretty much always left closed. The other two South facing ones are in the family/dining room and although they pretty much get the same amount of weather related beating, the blinds there are left opened much more often.

I'm pretty convinced they are sealed but will take your advise and give it the garden hose spray nozzle test after a few consecutive dry days.

Thanks again.

[Dude]

Wow, time flies! Well, it passed the garden hose test. Gave it real good soaking with high pressure for a while. Did it on two separate occasions actually.