Water in Double Pane Window: Getting it out?

[Bearstream1]

I have a 1981 27' International that has water inside the double pane glass window on the front curbside window. It seems that the previous owner repaired the leak but the water doesn't seem to be exiting the window. The level of the water seems to be constant, neither rising or falling.

So two questions:

1. How do you propose I get the water out?

2. How should I seal or check to make sure the window isn't taking on more water and won't take anymore on in the future?

Brandon
Waco, TX

[kennethowens]

Double Pane Window....I ma not absolutely sure but
I think they are "gas-charged" positive charge. If that
is the case, then the seal that seperates the two pieces
of glass has a leak in it. It only takes a "very tiny" hole to
take on moisture. My bet is that you aint getting that
moisture out without taking the double window out of the trailer
and taking it to a shop...where they know how to a)disassemble, b)clean
c)re-assemble, d)Charge (w/ a type of gas), e)re-seal. I am not
absolutely sure.......Andy at Inland RV could really help on this.
PM Andy...he has surely seen this before.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Bearstream1

I have a 1981 27' International that has water inside the double pane glass window on the front curbside window. It seems that the previous owner repaired the leak but the water doesn't seem to be exiting the window. The level of the water seems to be constant, neither rising or falling.

So two questions:

1. How do you propose I get the water out?

2. How should I seal or check to make sure the window isn't taking on more water and won't take anymore on in the future?

Brandon
Waco, TX

The water can be drained by drilling 2 holes, near the bottom of the sash.

Start the drill where the horizontal line is that's about 1/2 inch above the bottom of the sash.

Use a small drill bit,like a #30.

After the drill bit makes a small hole in the sash, turn the drill so that it's drilling uphill, at about a 60 degree angle.

DRILL SLOWLY.

The drill bit will then come out between the 2 panes of glass.

After the second hole is drilled, insert a small stiff wire into one of the holes, and push it upward thru the gray seal. Wiggle the wire to enlarge the hole in the gray seal.

Repeat that for the second hole.

After you remove the wire, the water should drain out.

Please be aware that the double pane windows were "never" charged with any gas of any kind.

Take your time and use patience.

If not, you could break one of the panes.

I have drilled many of those holes in the last 30 plus years, and haven't broken one of the panes, yet.

It's another story as to how the water gets in there. It is "not" a water leak.

When your done, place a bead of Vulkem sealer between the outer glass and the sash, covering the gasket. Make sure the gasket is clean, before you start.

Andy

[Bearstream1]

A. The Sash is the aluminum frame with the rivets in it that goes around the window right?

B. Please tell the story of how the water got in there. I'm interested.

Thanks for your help, I'm about to start drilling.

[Zeppelinium]

Here's a post with photos of how the weep holes work in the moving sash windows. Should be done similarly for your fixed window.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/479476-post20.html

Zep

[Excella84]

Andy, I did this this afternoon on my '84 Excella. It worked great! No more water standing in between the panes. It looked to me like there were one or two tiny drain tubes between the panes. Can you confirm/deny this?

Thanks for the tip!!

[jhenry]

The window in the door of my 325 filled with water,Is there a special type of drill used for glass? Thanks Jonathan

[Belegedhel]

The standard approach is NOT to drill the glass, but to drill through the aluminum frame upward at a diagonal so that your drill bit arrives between the two panes. Note that many glass windows have been inadvertently broken using this technique.

good luck!