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Are drip bars a necessity on “ in opening” new wooden windows?
Anonymous user 23/02/2024 - 3.51 PM
New wooden windows installed last July without drip bars. 8 weeks later water was leaking through all the new windows. These were puddles not just small drips. I took photos and visited the installer. Several weeks later the fitter appeared and topped up the clear glass sealant along the bottom of the windows indicating there was a gap of approximately half an inch causing the problem on all the windows. That did no good as rain puddles were still coming through. I took more photos and also black mould started forming down the side of the facings to which I also took photos. The window installer wasn’t overly interested and I kept taking pictures and calling them. I don’t have water ingress every time it rains . It seems to depend on the direction of the rain. The windows also sit in a recess at least 6 inches deep as this apartment is a converted church and a “B” listed building. I’ve taken videos of the over 4 foot in length huge puddle that formed on the window ledge within a short space of time and I did notice that the rain was actually being forced through the wooden seams . The installer has apparently been in touch with the manufacturer and now they want to install drip bars. The fitter did visit a second time and tightened the hardware then left. If these windows had been manufactured properly I believe I shouldn’t have the need for any of this nonsense or drip bars. The previous windows didn’t have drip bars and neither do any of the other apartments here. If these are a legal requirement then should they have been fitted in the first place? I paid £7500 for 2 x. Medium sized and one really big window and should be hardwood. Thank you for any information you can give me. I’m feeling lost. Martha There are three windows in total. Each have been installed from inside the apartment as there are also mullions. So to clarify, the wooden windows are double glazed and sit at least 6 inches in a recess and behind mullions. The mullions have been repaired by a stonemason about a year ago. 8 weeks after installation, all the windows were leaking big puddles. It’s not every time it rains that this happens. Are these poorly manufactured windows that leak especially being quite sheltered in a recess and mullions in front? They are in opening windows because of the mullions. Twice repaired and now the suggestion of drip bars. They shouldn’t be leaking in the first place I feel. There are no air vents .
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3 Answers
Anonymous user
Scot-Plas Windows ( Coatbridge ) lTD
R J Moore Building & Joinery