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bri0822

Slider window weep question

bri0822
11 years ago

I have a Simonton Reflections 5500 2-lite slider window and it seems that weep system is not functioning properly.

The basic problem is that the track of the interior slider fills up with water over time and does not weep out as I thought it would. I first noticed this about a year and half after the window was installed, when after heavy rain the inside slider track became filled with water that did not drain (the exterior track drained fine). I suctioned out all the water in the inner track, which amounted to about three cups, so my guess is that the track was filling over time because the weep system wasn't working right. There's no signs of water on the window sill or surrounding drywall so I believe this is a window/weep issue.

Does anyone know if this might be a quick fix? Would I be able to take out the window and sliding track and see what's going on with the weep system? If this is complicated I'll have to go back to Simonton with a warranty issue. Thanks.

Comments (8)

  • HomeSealed
    11 years ago

    Easiest thing to do would be to call your installer for service. if you want to attempt the fix yourself, remove the sashes, and there should be a removable vinyl track in the channel. Pry that out and examine the holes where the water should drain. Very possible that they are plugged . If you don't see any visible obstruction, you could always pour a little water in there to see if it drains. If it does not and you can't see anything, then its time to call in a pro.
    This is the reason why most pros prefer a welded sloped sill on double hungs as opposed to the pocket style. Unfortunately, you can't really get away from it on sliders, but you don't typically have as many problems because more of the water flow channeling is accessible to clean.

  • PRO
    Windows on Washington Ltd
    11 years ago

    +1

    Call your installer first. Might be an easy fix or it could have been hung incorrectly.

  • bri0822
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    Thanks for the tips, I appreciate it. I removed the sliding windows and bottom tracks and cleaned everything out but, interestingly, the inside track does not have weep holes, only the outside track does. The outside track has two weep holes, about 3/4" wide by 1/8" high, but the inside track has none, it is basically a cup. So even when the inside track is perfectly clean, I can pour in cup of water and it just sits, no draining.

    I'm now going through Simonton for a warranty issue, but does this sound like a manufacturing error? I thought both slider tracks needed weep holes. Thanks again.

  • mmarse1
    11 years ago

    The inner track should have weep holes. Someone fell asleep at the wheel at simonton. Take a 3/16 drill bit and drill 2 holes in the same area as the outer track. Of course remove the track first. Very simple.

  • HomeSealed
    11 years ago

    While I agree with mmarsel, you should probably have a manufacturer rep come out and take care of that. Not because it is rocket science, but because you'd give the manufacturer a reason to deny a potential warranty claim by drilling into the frame.

  • mmarse1
    11 years ago

    Great point HomeSealed. I actually just called simonton and they confirmed the drilling. That said, I would call, and have simonton make a notation of your name/ address as well as the fact that they advised on you creating the weep holes.

  • bri0822
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    Thanks again for the information. SImonton sent their rep out to drill the weep holes and all is good now. Kind of surprising that something like this was missed in manufacturing, but Simonton was quick on the fix so all is well now.

  • PRO
    Windows on Washington Ltd
    11 years ago

    Good follow up.

    Glad to see they took care of it.