Air leak between two double hung windows
#1
10-12-08, 01:08 PM
Air leak between two double hung windows
I have a large window that is comprised of two double hung fiberglass windows with a fiberglass piece that sits between them. During the winter I get a nasty west wind and can feel the air coming through this piece. My quick fix was to use postal tape which did fix the problem. Any suggestions on a permanent solution? Do I caulk it? If so, on the inside or out. If its helpful, I can get a few pictures posted.
Thanks,
Adam
Thanks,
Adam
#2
10-12-08, 01:41 PM
Super Moderator
Pic's are always helpful. Are these replacement windows? Are they FG or vinyl?
This may be whats called an "H" mulling strip that the replacement windows fit into. Should have been caulked when installed.
Yes they can and should be caulked (now I have a picture in my mind and can't get it out) both inside and out.
Can we get the pic's before the final advice? You can't post directly, but you can link to the pic info on a photo hosting site such as photobucket. Please don't use a site that requires people to sign up before viewing.
This may be whats called an "H" mulling strip that the replacement windows fit into. Should have been caulked when installed.
Yes they can and should be caulked (now I have a picture in my mind and can't get it out) both inside and out.
Can we get the pic's before the final advice? You can't post directly, but you can link to the pic info on a photo hosting site such as photobucket. Please don't use a site that requires people to sign up before viewing.
#3
10-12-08, 02:59 PM
Thanks for the help and the quick reply. The windows are original to the house which itself is 5 years old. I'm been living here for the last two. It is a row built house so the windows are not of the highest quality. The manufacturer's mark says Cardinal IG CIG-5 I-01. I'm thinking that the windows are vinyl but really am not sure. Also should I caulk around the inside of the window where it meets the window trim? There are gaps now that the house is settling.
Thanks again,
Adam
Ask and you shall recieve....
Thanks again,
Adam
Ask and you shall recieve....
#4
10-12-08, 03:54 PM
Super Moderator
Yep...I think those are vinyl (I never say for sure, just to protect my reputation..lol), thats not an H mull..looks like new construction...not completely familiar with how those are put together, but.....
The Cardinal marking is just the glass maker...tons of companies use that glass.
Clean off all the old stuff, peel it, use a plastic scraper, whatever. Clean the ext surface of the window frame well with a std multipurpose cleaner or soap and water, then with alcohol. Caulk with a quality clear silicone for exterior use.
You can caulk on the inside if necessary...but I'm just not a fan of that unless its absolutely necessary. Makes painting and stuff more complicated. If windows are installed and sealed properly, it really shouldn't be required.
Hope this helps
The Cardinal marking is just the glass maker...tons of companies use that glass.
Clean off all the old stuff, peel it, use a plastic scraper, whatever. Clean the ext surface of the window frame well with a std multipurpose cleaner or soap and water, then with alcohol. Caulk with a quality clear silicone for exterior use.
You can caulk on the inside if necessary...but I'm just not a fan of that unless its absolutely necessary. Makes painting and stuff more complicated. If windows are installed and sealed properly, it really shouldn't be required.
Hope this helps
#5
10-12-08, 05:06 PM
I have a new construction home 3 yrs old with the same type window.
I couldn't figure out why I had such high humidity inside until I felt the outside air being sucked in around my new homes window.
See-you buy a new house and then you spend 5 years fixing what they screwed up!
I couldn't figure out why I had such high humidity inside until I felt the outside air being sucked in around my new homes window.
See-you buy a new house and then you spend 5 years fixing what they screwed up!
#6
10-12-08, 05:59 PM
Gunguy,
Should there be caulk anywhere on that window? I'll have to double check on Tuesday but I dont think I saw any. I'll also create another thread about my front windows. I have a small leak at the top of the window and a mushroom growing right above the bottom trim. Hope your up for the challenge. I must of got the crew of new guys when they installed my windows.
Thanks again.
Should there be caulk anywhere on that window? I'll have to double check on Tuesday but I dont think I saw any. I'll also create another thread about my front windows. I have a small leak at the top of the window and a mushroom growing right above the bottom trim. Hope your up for the challenge. I must of got the crew of new guys when they installed my windows.
Thanks again.
#7
10-12-08, 06:47 PM
It's a "zero degree joiner". Good Pics - #3 tells it all.
The 2 Dh frames are butted together and the joiner is just wide enough to snap into the channel (of BOTH windows) that runs all the way around the perimeter. In a perfect world the factory applies silicone to the outside frames before sandwiching them together. There should be no space between the 2 frames in this system.
You are going to find that the "strip" is in there pretty good, you will have to pull with alot of confidence. Are you sure that cold air isn't air movement coming from the 2 nearby sash??
The 2 Dh frames are butted together and the joiner is just wide enough to snap into the channel (of BOTH windows) that runs all the way around the perimeter. In a perfect world the factory applies silicone to the outside frames before sandwiching them together. There should be no space between the 2 frames in this system.
You are going to find that the "strip" is in there pretty good, you will have to pull with alot of confidence. Are you sure that cold air isn't air movement coming from the 2 nearby sash??
#8
10-12-08, 07:10 PM
Thanks, macattac. I'm pretty sure that the air is coming through the joiner. The reason I say this is that last winter I used a plastic window insulation kit on each DH window. I did notice a difference with the room being warmer but cold still feel the air movement through the left and right gaps in the joiner. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Adam
Thanks,
Adam
#9
10-14-08, 12:17 PM
o.k., it's hard for me to believe that air is getting through there like that because you will find that the joiner piece is "locked" into that channel on both inside and out. Furthermore if that really is a frame-to-frame butt in there it is all the less likely to be your problem.
Either way the only thing to do is to pull one of them off without snapping it in two, and take a look. Then proceed as Gunguy said and caulk away. I would never try to caulk the seem with the joiner in place - it will look terrible. Do the gap with the piece removed and then cover your mess by putting it back on.
Because it's air only - i would do it from the inside of the house because it would be easier in most cases, but again under the removed joiner piece. If water was a concern, then of course it must be done from outside to prevent ice etc between the windows.
I will be curious to hear what type of cavity you find in there.
Either way the only thing to do is to pull one of them off without snapping it in two, and take a look. Then proceed as Gunguy said and caulk away. I would never try to caulk the seem with the joiner in place - it will look terrible. Do the gap with the piece removed and then cover your mess by putting it back on.
Because it's air only - i would do it from the inside of the house because it would be easier in most cases, but again under the removed joiner piece. If water was a concern, then of course it must be done from outside to prevent ice etc between the windows.
I will be curious to hear what type of cavity you find in there.
#10
10-14-08, 06:34 PM
By the time I got home from work today it was dark so I was unable to post the pictures of my front window. As for the zero degree joiner, looking at it from the inside the gap is so small I have no idea how I'm going to get the joiner out. Any suggestions in that regard? Especially if its going to be easy to break the piece. Also any idea where I can get a picture of the zero degree joiner so I know what i'm dealing with. I couldn't find any online.
#12
10-17-08, 02:15 PM
Getting at them from the side is impossible. The top/bottom are your only way to grab it.
I have a crappy drawing from a manufacturers book, that i can fax to you if you like. You can email me a fax number at edcossart@gwi.net , make sure to label it so i will know who you are.
I have a crappy drawing from a manufacturers book, that i can fax to you if you like. You can email me a fax number at edcossart@gwi.net , make sure to label it so i will know who you are.
