New UPVC Windows - Drainage Issue

thebaldwindowfitter

home_alone wrote: »

I had windows put in by a famous company and not long after I had signs of damp around a few of the downstairs windows it took me years to finally realise that it was the upper widows that leaked through into the cavity and ran along the top of the lower windows, once this had been acknowledged by the company they put in cavity trays that stopped the leaks, I think all upper windows should have these trays fitted, its a cheap option when fitting the windows but more expensive later on.

gary

if the window company have not cured your leaking upstairs problem and the water is still going down the cavity you could then have problems with dampproof course or floor joists if its a timber floor .fitting cavity trays is not the window companies duty (im not sure wether you mean it is)but should have been done by the original builders.having been in this business many years i havent had any windows leak from the top of the window it has always come from above main culprit is terrace houses were wooden gutter has been removed and plastic fitted without putting a fascia behind it allowing any water the gutter cant get rid of to go straight down the cavity

bogtrotter4

Never having joined a forum before perhaps I was wrong to put my post(if that is the right word?) on to Pete_Gs post but as we both have drainage problems I thought I could add mine to his .Was I wrong?

bogtrotter4

I have had great difficulty in finding a source of Bridge Packers other than from firms with a minimum quantity such as 200 or a minimum of price. However today I managed to get a few which originated from Construction Plastics of Hereford Tel 08003284167 or [EMAIL="sales@constructionplastics.co.uk"]sales@constructionplastics.co.uk[/EMAIL].
Their bridgepackers go under the name of "Aquapacker". Apparently they are unique as attached to the back of the normal bridge packer is a horseshoe or arc of similar but pliable plastic which when placed in situ is kept firmly in place by the horseshoe acting as a clip against the rear of the frame.
I hope to fit these tomorrow and will post accordingly how they work.
As 8Ball suggested I did try keeping the windows closed when raining but the rain did gain entry but I have yet to check the gaskets

bogtrotter4

I duly fitted the "Aquapackers" and because of their attached clip found them very easy indeed to put in place and being then fixed they did not move at all when fitting the Double Glazed unit which was quite a blessing.
Also because of their clips I was able to fix 2 at the top of the frame which helped to hold the glass in place as advised by Mr Horton of Construction Plastics.
I also had checked the gaskets and found a couple of high spots which I leveled.
I have had to wait for a time to get the right weather conditions which occurred yesterday.
If the windows are near horizontal rain will enter the frame but if vertical or near vertical the water drains out as quickly as it seeps in around the glass so the Aquapackers have done the trick. Much relief!