I have pella windows that are 15 years old and out of warranty. I have 7 casement windows that are rotten and going to have to be replaced for sure. The issue is I have 5 windows, two of which are leaking for sure water drips down wall out of corner trim when it rains. One of those is rotten around the bottom pane of glass has a hole there. Several questions, the pella rep came and those 5 are not casement windows they will have to be take out completely and a new window placed in. New paint, trim and etc as well. He looked and said that some of those 5 werent caulked at all or done poorly. The other three windows aren't leaking but he thinks there is moisture issues because the inside trim is pulling apart real bad around the window. He says I should replace all 5 of those. I don't know. I don't know whether to try caulk first. I hate to replace a window that is leaking if caulking will fix it. I don't want future issues and things far worse like mold or etc. I just want to get it fixed right with out having to worry about it. The two that are rotten and have a hole caulk might fix that and repair the holes with plastic wood. I guess the main question is how far do you go. I don't want to half fix it now and it end up costing more more in the future to fix it then if I had just sucked it up and done it right in the first place. But then I don't want to spend money now on new windows if another option is going to fix it correctly and not have to worry about if for a other 20 years. I am disappointed in pella windows for not holding up more then 15 years. The casement windows are totally rotten.
15 yrs is about right for todays wood windows unless they are meticulously maintained. I'd get another opinion or two to be safe, but based on your description, it sounds like complete tear out of all of them is in order. Caulk is a last line of defense. Proper flashing detail is what should be the primary water management system.
I've replaced all the window in four differant homes, two were Anderson and two were Pella. All except one were vinyl cased outside with wood outside. All had rotted bottom sases.
I've also replaced several Pella bay windows that were just falling apart and all the wood had rotted away in the sills.
Anderson and Pella both said they had never heard of this problum before.
Now you know that's BS.
Replace them with new all vinyl welded frame winodws and there's nothing to rot again.
I use Simmonton and Windcor windows and have yet to have a claim for anything.
There's really no way anyone here can tell you for sure if you should replace the windows with out being there to see them.
Just trying to patch them is not the way to go. It will doing nothing to stop the leaking and the rot will just spread.
Something else the contractor i had come out and look said that when they built the house the put the brick to tight under the windows ans is bowing
Up the bottom of the window frame and that might be causing part of my problem. They are bowing some. Will that continue or will it bow only so far.
I’m sorry to hear that you’re experiencing issues with your Pella windows. Thanks for allowing us to address your concerns. It sounds like you’ve been in touch with a Pella rep, but you still have questions. We’d like to look into your questions to see if we can provide you with further assistance. To do so, we’re going to need a bit more background. Could you please contact our Customer Support Specialists via e-mail at pellawebsupport@pella.com or by calling 1-800-374-4758? Please include your home address, contact information, your concerns and purchase location, if known, and photos of the products in your home in the e-mail. We look forward to hearing from you!
Please do post back after speaking with Pella Tau. I'm very curious as to what help that they will offer given that wood rot is clearly out of warranty at the age of your windows. Hopefully that post was not just an attempt to try and sell you more windows (as that would be tacky and a violation of board rules), or to portray themselves in a better light.
It really seems like you need to solve the problem of how the water flow is being managed. That may involve removing and resetting or replacing the windows. Get several opinions...what part of the country are you in?
Pella's attempt to promote itself online as a caring company, causes me to laugh. Consumers are not ignorant! We all know that there would not be the thousands of online complaints against Pella if they were truly a company that was able to offer any type of customer service. As we all know, issues come up in every single construction project. These issues only become problems when the companies refuse to address the issues. Pella is notorious for refusing to address customer concerns. Companies that offer customer service do not end up all over the internet from YouTube videos to various web postings about how they have refused to address thousands of customer window issues. You know that for every person that took the time to post their awful Pella custom service experience; there are dozens who did not take that same time. Please do your research! Pella is incapable of providing customer service. Their windows are manufactured with problems, shipped to you and you will be stuck with those problems. Pella will refuse to address your concerns. Read for yourself about all the families in the USA living with just such problems! Don't join our team of families with Pella problems! It's a losing team.:furious::furious::furious::furious:
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