Thursday, March 12, 2015

Window Fix

As I mentioned in the Ten Month Review Part II entry from earlier in the month we discovered that our windows (Made by Ply Gem) have been leaking a significant amount of air. The window contractor came out this afternoon and fixed it, taking a half an hour or so to do all thirteen of our windows. (Not counting the two small ones at the bottom of the stairs and in the master bath.) It was so simple and seemed so cheap I really have to question how cost effective it is for the window company to do business like this. (i.e. Send a contractor out to fix them instead of applying the fix at the factory when the windows are built.)

The fix had three parts:


The red arrow marks a piece of felt he placed where the top and bottom sections of the window come together and stuck on there with a bead of silicone. The orange arrow points to small pieces of foam wedged into the track. (The spots I plugged with paper towels after discovering the leaks.) Our happy idiot cocker spaniel can also be seen in the lower part of the window. (Placed outside so the man could work in peace.)


The last part of the fix involved more foam wedged in the bottom corners. 

While he was here I also mentioned that the plastic in the middle of the window in our laundry room is cracked as well. He took a look at it and told me he'd be putting in an order for them to send us a replacement. (The whole bottom half since that plastic can't be replaced separately.)



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7 comments:

  1. PageMarch 12, 2015 at 8:30 PM

    Thanks for posting this, now I know exact where to check my windows at. They should be recalling this model of windows, and changing the design as it doesn't work clearly. It can't be cost effective to go to every site to install the windows and then back again later to fix them

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    1. JeffMarch 12, 2015 at 9:04 PM

      I agree. He mentioned that he had heard that they would be applying the fix at the factory soon but wasn't sure exactly when it would happen. Seeing as we didn't discover it until after being in the house for nearly ten months (and only then on a night we had 50mph wind gusts outside) I have to wonder how people don't even realize they have this problem.

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  2. UnknownMarch 12, 2015 at 9:29 PM

    Jeff, I'm glad to see things have been fixed. Awesome post, by the way. Very helpful

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    1. JeffMarch 13, 2015 at 6:30 PM

      Thanks Matt. BTW, if you're not aware, there's a new owners group that was started on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/518775804929369/

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  3. JamesMarch 14, 2015 at 12:00 AM

    Thanks for this. We'll be putting in a repair ticket soon and requesting we get exactly what they did for you. I'll all share with the rest of the subdivision.

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    1. JeffMarch 14, 2015 at 1:17 PM

      Maybe if enough people gripe they'll put pressure on the manufacturer to fix it. Like I said above, I'm betting most people don't even realize they have this problem. Or they're told it's a normal thing that happens with any window and don't press the issue further.

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  4. AnonymousApril 26, 2015 at 8:43 PM

    I just built a Ryan Home in Pennsylvania, a Wexford model. I have 18 windows and all leak terribly. They are all Plygem. I had them come out and they did 2 of the three things they did for you (no foam on the bottom). I still have significant air ingress. I also have a thermal sensor aside from feeling the air, which shows that while the junctio between the upper and lower window has now significantly improved, it is still far from ideal (i.e. when it was really cold this winter i had 17 degree air coming in, post fix I'd estimate it would be in the 30's.) and the corners (including the top) are still quite cold. Actually all around is cold. Even the small windows that don't open aren't doing that great.

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