Sometimes it seems that when one can’t tackle a problem “head-on” we must take a “side-ways” approach. Take a look at this ordinary vinyl sliding window in the following picture. If we look at it we can see that things are not as they should be. On the right hand side of the window, can you see those two little square openings? Those openings are to let water out. Now if the whole shed were to fill up with water----all the way up to these openings----I suppose they might be functional. On the other hand perhaps the window really needs to be hung as a single-hung window so that the drain holes are on the bottom where they belong. In the next picture I have done a color overlay to show how the track was full of water because it could not drain out. I guess this installation went “side-ways.” Charles Buell
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Sometimes the simples mistakes can cause the biggest problems. That is buyers need good inspectors. I imagine that many people would have seen the water but not known what the problem. Now I will know. Thanks for the post.
... and yet a great way to take care of wayward flies.
I did notice the "weep holes" on the side there. But, since I couldn't see the bottom of the window, I just thought the manufacturer of that particular window had them on the bottom too.
See what happens when you "assume"!!!!?
Another reason to follow the manufacturer's instructions when installing a window.
Good morning Charles,
An interesting post and it would seem a small issue that actually creates nightmares down the road. Since there is a warranty from the manufacture , likely voidable with incorrect installation, it would appear that you might have saved the day for the homeowners as well as the new Buyer you were ding the inspection. It is the small things, mostly unnoticed that saved the day! Good Job there and you earned your fee on just one error that can now be resolved with corrected installation.
Mark, yes----and you sould never see standing water in the track of the window
Alan---too true:)
Craig on a slider window it is more common to see them on the top----where it is just plain upside down----more rare to see them on the side
Norma---they probably never even looked at them even though they would have been stuck right on the glass:)
William, in almost 6 years of inspecting I have never NOT found the cost of the inspection in terms of issues at a property:)
Charles.....another handyman, homemade job.....people would save money in the long run if they had a carpenter do the installation.....they could have purchased the right window....there are sliding windows....
Barbara---it is all just job security for me:)
Good catch Charles, was this actually on a home or a garage shed type building?
Gerry, this window happened to be in the garage----one of the windows in the house---an actual slider---was installed upside down though:)
Hey Charles, it looks good to me. Keep the rains,winds out, and what a great idea, ventilation opening on the side. LOL ;0
Charles, Cool overrlay. That would be a strange single hung window.
Roy, LOL
Jack---you mean because it is on its side?
As you've been training me to look more closely I did pick up on the weep holes on the side, which I must assume not only keeps water from draining out the bottom, but increases the water-flow into the window area from the side. Perhaps this was intended as a passive water collection system. Was there a cistern underneath the garage floor?
Frank I am inclinded more torward Alan's idea in comment #2:)
Hi Charles - my son is a window installer. Maybe I will show him your post to see if he can pass the test and figure out what the problems are.
Jenny, I suspect he will know the difference:)
Funny Charles - Well, at least it fits! LOL
Debi
Charlie - I think you can just get into Photoscape or another program and just turn that picture so the window is up and down.
Problem solved.
Very funny! :) I found out about those little drain holes when the brilliant hurricane shutter installers put the sill of the hurricane shutters over those neat little drain thingies. A year and one very frustrated roofer later, we figured out why there was an intermittent leak: when the shutters were up, the water pooled in the windowsills and crept inside to do a runner through concrete...
Debi, yup:)
Jay, now why didn't I thunk of that?
Shoshana, they indeed may good watering troughs
As always, I am happy to help!
http://photoscape.com/
James, yes the mechanisms are going to work a little funky for sure:)
Good catch Charles! You catches are frequently very enlightening! Keep up the good work and sharing!
Charlie - That's funny. Looks like DIY job.
Glen, thanks
Carol----me thinks so too
Wow...really great collection of images.I found this blog really helpful and interesting.Thanks for sharing with us,keep it up.
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