By: Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
Our home is about three years old, and we've had drafty windows since it was built. A representative from the window supplier inspected the problem and said the windows were out of square and needed to be shimmed. He also said the builder would not be happy with this recommendation. He must have been right because the builder tried a much simpler approach, installing jam jacks, rather than shims. This involved making holes in the window tracks and has not eliminated the draftiness. What do you suggest we do?
-- Thomas
Dear Thomas,
At this point, your best friend is the window supplier. They know the design characteristics of their product and are the authoritative judges regarding proper installation techniques. Acceptability of the jam jacks will depend entirely upon their approval. If they do not approve this method of repair (especially the fact that holes have been made in the tracks), they may void their warranty on the windows. In that case, the builder would be hard pressed, not only to install shims, but to replace the altered window frames.
Since the supplier is already involved, and since they have already set forth corrective recommendations, and since the repairs were not done in accordance with those recommendations, you should have the supplier reinspect the windows. If they disapprove the work that was done, the builder will have to take responsibility. If not, you may have to take legal action.
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