Rain drop keep falling

[brianhabby]

Hi everyone,

We have recently had new double glazing fitted through out the house and I think there is a problem with the design of the bedroom window sill. When it rains the water drips off the bedroom sill and hits the downstairs sill making a heck of a racket. Made worse because the sills are made from hollow plastic...!

I'm sure that traditionally the upstairs sill should extend out further than the downstairs one to avoid this very problem but perhaps modern design doesn't stretch to such logic.

I have obtained some plastic (pvc) off cuts from the lads fitting these windows and plan to fasten (glue) it onto the outside of the upstairs sill thereby forcing the water drips out from the house.

So to my question - How much wider should the upstairs sill be than the downstairs one? Is there a set amount of overhang or is it a case of trial & error?

Does anyone have any thoughts on this topic?

regards

Brian

 

[JFC]

I've never seen a top cill bigger than a bottom cill .

 

[andy king]

Hi Brian,

You tend to find that most companies stick to a single cill width during a fit unless there are different reveals to contend with. 150mm profile tends to be the norm, but 200mm and beyond are available if needed, they tend to increase in 25mm widths if I recall.
It should be, that even if they have the same cill section, as long as he reveal is the same, the projection should be aligned so unless the wind blows the rain back in towards the window as it drips, it should fall directly in line with the edge of the other unless there is a different cill profile used since the last time I fitted any.
It sounds to me like the top window may be sat back a little further than the lower one, so the water will fall directly on the lower cill. This might be to find solid brick or block to fix to if the window sits over a cavity, you'll spot it if the inside has wide trims rather than a simple caulk or thin plastic covermould as the fitters are meant to leave the job complete so no decorating is needed by the homeowner.
Depending on how they have been fitted, you could get the cill out and replace it with a wider one if you can get one. They have a small lip acting as a rebate on the inside, but if the window has been packed from the underside (it's good practice to leave a gap all around on Upvc windows) you should be able to pull the packers and drop the cill enough to pull it away from the outside. You'll probably have to dig the silicone away first, and it may be that the cill is screwed through the bottom of the frame, so you may have to deglaze to access the screws to get the cill out.

hope this helps.

Andy

 

[sliver]

Hello Brian,
You say 'recently' had the windows fitted. Have you thought of calling the window fitters back to take a look?

They may have a 'fix' that will save you a job which IMHO you should not have to tackle, & leave them with a customer happy to recommend them to their friends & family. Just a thought.

hth.
cheers, sliver.

 

[brianhabby]

Have you thought of calling the window fitters back to take a look?

I would but for the fact the we are in a Council house and therefore do not have much of a say in these matters.

This would also preclude me pulling the thing apart to get the cill out, and that is why I thought of sticking another piece on top of it. I'll have a closer look at how they are fitted but I can't really see any other solution.

regards

Brian

 

[keithhickson]

Get in touch with your housing officer, and mention the problem. IF they fail to act then mention you are getting a petition together to complain via your local councillor. It is around this time of year that the councils put out to tender for the various companies they use. It could be even more advantageous if the contractors are council employees

 

[sliver]

Hello again Brian,
Keith beat me to it. The work done should be of good standard, regardless of whoever carried it out. Council house or privately owned, shoddy or inadequate work should be rectified.

You paying your rent to your council is your part of the contract, they have to keep your home in good order for their part. Of course, you do have a duty to keep the place in a decent condition, but you cannot be expected to repair their work.

In any case, if you do anything to it & something goes wrong you can be assured the council will stick you with a bill for any repair work they have to do to make good. You pay your rent, get your moneys worth my friend.

cheers, sliver.