Double Glazing issues

[fourstardan]

I've posted before about issues ive had with my 8 year old windows having moisture in them but I've got knowhere.

I have more going over the period of time the installer is ignoring me and it's becoming very stressful with the worry I've paid a cowboy.

The installer was a local guy, he has done a LOT of windows in the town we live in. In June I finally managed to get him round, after several texts I got a message out of the blue to say he'd come and look.

He did a review and said yes, im going away on holiday and will come back to you with some details..

It's September and nothing.

I see the guy driving around ever few weeks or so so it not as though he's done a runner, I just think he's either fcked up the install (is this possible) OR the manufacture is in the wrong and giving him the issues im giving him.

Regardless, ive got about 8 windows of 15 blown.

What can I honestly do here or am I stuffed.

[21TonyK]

8 year old sealed units are blowing? I'd suggest you are on a hiding to nothing.

what sort of warranty was offered on them?

[Indecision]

Very much depends on the warranty - but I wouldn’t expect that proportion of sealed units to blow in such a relatively short time frame. Suggests a manufacturing defect to me, or low quality units.

[langtounlad]

Sounds like a poor install - packers in the wrong position causing the weight of the glass to make the sealant bond fail. So installer error I suspect rather than manufacturing problem.

[smokey mow]

Assuming you had the works done properly and used a FENSA registered installer, make a claim on the 10year guarantee.

[fourstardan]

Install could hardly be a problem surely? This set of windows replaced original 1998 windows that were double glazed wood frames.

[fourstardan]

21TonyK said:

8 year old sealed units are blowing? I'd suggest you are on a hiding to nothing.

what sort of warranty was offered on them?

They started to blow about 18 months ago though.

Warranty was 10 years I think, I'll dig paper work out to double check this.

[Mercdriver]

Replace them yourself, it is not difficult, first one is the worst, when you have done one the rest will be easy and you will gain confidence

Remove the mouldings on two adjacent sides so you can accurately measure the size of the glass. Start in the middle and work towards the edges

Find a nearby glazier who supply double glazing units, you will be surprised how cheap they are. They will ask you what type of glass you want, take their advice.

There are proper tools for removing the mouldings, I just used a sharp chisel carefully,

Make sure you put the packing pieces back as before.

It will take a minute to re install the mouldings, insert them at either end then push them down from the middle along their length.

Bear in mind glass is heavy and larger units you may need assistance to lift it into place.

[fourstardan]

Mercdriver said:

Replace them yourself, it is not difficult, first one is the worst, when you have done one the rest will be easy and you will gain confidence

Remove the mouldings on two adjacent sides so you can accurately measure the size of the glass. Start in the middle and work towards the edges

Find a nearby glazier who supply double glazing units, you will be surprised how cheap they are. They will ask you what type of glass you want, take their advice.

There are proper tools for removing the mouldings, I just used a sharp chisel carefully,

Make sure you put the packing pieces back as before.

It will take a minute to re install the mouldings, insert them at either end then push them down from the middle along their length.

Bear in mind glass is heavy and larger units you may need assistance to lift it into place.

Thanks for this but two of these are French windows and I think overall that would be a big job for me.

I'd rather get the issue resolved by the person that installed them, it's his problem to deal with from my perspective.

Is there any way I can cut out the installer ignoring me and go directly to deal with the manufacture myself?

I'd then have to find someone to replace them but thats doable.

[Mercdriver]

I ordered the unit from a glazier no problem, business is business, probably did not get the trade discount but hey-ho still much cheaper than paying someone to do it.

[fatboy b]

We had similar happen with ours. The glass had a 5 year warranty and the frames 10. So I think you’ll have to suck it up. Unless your warranty on the glass is still intact. I just called a local window firm to replace the patio door panes (2) and 5 or 6 other windows. It was about 5 years ago, but all came out at about £1100 fitted.

[fourstardan]

This is the manufacture's T&C's with warranty section;



I'm reading this as it's got 10 years warranty. Invoice from fitter said "includes 10 year warranty".

[ChevronB19]

fourstardan said:

This is the manufacture's T&C's with warranty section;



I'm reading this as it's got 10 years warranty. Invoice from fitter said "includes 10 year warranty".

Clause 5.5.1 seems to (understandably) negate the warranty if the installer screws up though. He might have said 10 year warranty referring to the manufacturer, not a warranty from him? Does the invoice specify a 10 year warranty on the installation?

[MustangGT]

ChevronB19 said:

Clause 5.5.1 seems to (understandably) negate the warranty if the installer screws up though. He might have said 10 year warranty referring to the manufacturer, not a warranty from him? Does the invoice specify a 10 year warranty on the installation?

If the invoice stated 'includes 10 year warranty' and does not specify it as limited to materials, then it would cover installation as well.

[fourstardan]

ChevronB19 said:

Clause 5.5.1 seems to (understandably) negate the warranty if the installer screws up though. He might have said 10 year warranty referring to the manufacturer, not a warranty from him? Does the invoice specify a 10 year warranty on the installation?

No just says "10 year guarantee certificate", again I'll dig this out of my paperwork.

[paintman]

Worth speaking to the manufacturer but the warranty does state that they will 'supply a replacement sealed unit or refund the original purchase price to our purchaser'.

Sounds to me that unless you purchased the units yourself from them then they will only deal with your fitter who would have been the purchaser.

[fourstardan]

paintman said:

Worth speaking to the manufacturer but the warranty does state that they will 'supply a replacement sealed unit or refund the original purchase price to our purchaser'.

Sounds to me that unless you purchased the units yourself from them then they will only deal with your fitter who would have been the purchaser.

Yes I know, which is why im thinking the fitter thinks he's the one who's fcked up.

[BertBert]

yes it's clearly a trade warranty from the manufacturer to the fitter

[langtounlad]

Manufacturing failures are very rare. Fitter install errors are much more common. Did the fitter let the apprentice loose on the job without supervision?

[Simpo Two]

The first time I fitted sealed units they failed and after a few years because I'd used wooden packers underneath instead of plastic ones. Over time rainwater had got into the frame, rotted the wood and also caused the units to fail. So that could be the case for yours too.