HELP - Condensated double glazed windows????

edtheduck_2

I have Mahogany-type upvc double glazed windows and some of the windows are very badly condensated in between the panes.
They will not clean properly either - have tried EVERYTHING - a scum is left permanently, which looks gross.

Wonder if these can be resealed - not sure what this entails or costs??

Also, the sealing rubber does not seem to go to the very corner of any of the windows, but i've temporarily blocked these with blu-tac!!

Anyone help or advise please?

Can my windows be saved or are they doomed for the skip??

alanobrien

I have a similar problem on one window.
Once the seal goes there is not a great deal you can do about it.

More about it here

http://www.ask-jeff.co.uk/building-double-glazing.htm

rizla01

When a seal breaks down on a window it is usually the end of the road.
It is possible for you to remove the inner seal (Usually behind the foil on the outside edge of the glass) but this would entail, in the first place, removing the d/g unit from the frame and being without untill the unit was replaced. O.k if you feel confident in doing this yourself then good luck, it's not the easiest job in the world. ( I have the scar to prove it - slipped with a Stanley and nearly removed my thumb)

For all the time & trouble I would suggest that you ring around and get a load of quotes first. Don't forget that the sealed unit should comply with all new legislation but being a replacement, you might be able to get away with this.

When I used to work in the DG field, I used to explain to my customers that they had a 'broken' sealed unit. Technically, that is correct, O.K.

So if you ring your insurance company and put in a claim for a broken sealed double glazed unit, you should have no problems whatever in claiming this on the insurance. (Assuming that fixed glass is covered)

edtheduck_2

thank you, that sounds promising!
would the windows just be covered in the general buildings insurance policy then??
suppose i need to get my policy out...............sorry for seeming silly, but would i be looking for anything in particular in my policy?
thanks

rizla01

Usually 'Fixed Glass' is covered in the buildings Ins, sometimes as a separate option.
It might be covered separately by your contents insurance tho this normally only covers non-fixed items like coffee tables and display units.

edtheduck_2

thank you - have looked at my policy, but will ring insurance company tomorrow. btw i am in house only 3 years, windows were there when i moved in, so i dont know how old they are.
will i say i'd like to claim for " a number of broken seal double glazed units" ( i have a number of windows like this) - should be able to claim for all tho???

uncle_buck_3

rizla01 wrote:

So if you ring your insurance company and put in a claim for a broken sealed double glazed unit, you should have no problems whatever in claiming this on the insurance. (Assuming that fixed glass is covered)

I would imagine you wouldn’t have a problem as the insurance company will probably think that you have a broken window/s not a double glazed unit that has failed…try describing the problem the way it is…… “A misted up double glazed panel” & see if they still want to pay out!


When you say that fixed glass is covered by the buildings insurance I would logically take this to cover it against glass breakage, not the panel failing due to longevity (wear & tear)

Window manufacturers will guarantee the frames & the glass panels for a period of time….the frames are normally covered for a round 25 years & the panels for about 10….of course this depends on the manufacturer.

I think you have to except that at some time the panels will fail & I don’t think its fair to expect your insurance company to pay for the wear & tear on your windows!

intel

As an Ex Glazier you will need new units, as resealed are not gauranteed
the same as 4/6/4 glass.... New units are a 5yr guarantee in old frames and 10yr
if Glass and frame are replaced at the same time so....

New units.

rizla01

Insurance Co almost certainly WONT pay out if the seal is broken and the glass is intact unless specified as covered in this way.

However, I repeat, if you tell them, when you telephone them that you have a broken sealed unit - if they don't push the point then they may ASSUME that you MEAN broken glass and honour your claim. Up to them if they can't be arsed to be specific in their questions. A mite dishonest or decieptful but not entirely so. Of course, should you choose, you could always throw a brick thru the window and then your claim would be 100% but thats up to you. I know which I'd rather do.

It's a bit like burning your carpet with an iron. Not REALLY burnt - more scorched, but are you going to tell them?

withabix

I've replaced quite a few 4/6/4 sealed units on my 15 year old house.

They cost about £50 per square metre supply only. Pro-rata for smaller panel sizes. My 460 x 600 units usually cost about £13 each.

Delivery is usually 10 days from order.

Only way to get the old ones out is usually with a hammer and chisel, unless your putty hasn't hardened.

uncle_buck_3

@rizla01

It’s the unspoken word...they don't ask so you don't tell them!

Yes I would imagine that this would probably work if you only have 1 window that has a failed unit, but when you explain that you have a few “broken sealed units” the insurance company are probably going to ask what happened to your windows!