Doors and Windows - Andersen French Wood Slider Threshold Rain Question

Hi,

I have had a new Andersen Frenchwood Sliding (Slider) door professionally installed. When it rains water collects in the threshold about 1/2". I removed the sliding panel and compared everything to the directions that came with the door, and the stationary panel. I noted that the weather seal that screws vertically to the stationary panel was centered on the stationary panel and did not touch the foam at the base (threshold) or at the top. I then removed the vertical stationary panel seal, filled the holes properly and seated it toward the bottom more so that it would be touching the foam that is there. I did not smash it into the foam since that would have not allowed it to touch the foam above, instead I butted it up against the foam at the base and then gave it a gently push into the foam, so it would still be touching the foam at the top. I did add a tiny bit of silicone sealant to "hedge the bet".

Today it is raining and heavy winds. The threshold is once again full of water.

Is this just the "way it is" with these doors? Or is there something else wrong?

Thank you for any tips, hints, or idea.

Pete

Just hung up the phone with Andersen... I was told that this is called a "weep tank" and it is designed this way. In other words, when it rains hard (wind driven, etc.) you're going to get water in your house with one of these doors. It is suppose to stay in the "tank" and then drain outside. You'll need to clean the weep-hole so the "tank" doesn't over flow.

Sounds silly to me... but...

Is this fact or fiction?

Well. This has been 100% verified. On the interior of the door the water in that track is normal. Go figure.

I think you misunderstood. There are drain holes in the threshold that will carry away water. If they are blocked, water will build up and you have problems. It is not normal to get water buildup to the point that it gets into the house. Check along the outside edge of the threshold for weep holes. They should not be blocked with caulk.

Andersen makes a quality product. I have installed many over the years and never had a call back for water problems. What you describe should not happen with a correct installation.

Hi,

That is not what I was told by Andersen and by Black Millwork (their distributor) I was told that the "weep tank" is designed to "hold" water that goes into the bottom threshold and then exits out the weep holes that you speak of. Water does not actually go on the floor in the house, but it *does* go into the base of the track on the stationary panel side of the track (interior). The water will only raise to dangerous level if the weep holes are not clear.

If you have any firm information that this is not correct please, a big please, show me, or let me know it. I've been told by 3 sources: Andersen, Black Millwork, and my installer, that during hard rains and/or driven rain, it is perfectly normal and acceptable.

Thanks for any information you may have,

Pete

yes, for anderson, as well as many other patio doors, it is ment to weep out of the chamber after the hard rain stops.AAMA standards allow the buildup of water in this chamber as long as it doesn't drip into the interior of the home.

It could be that I am misunderstanding what you are saying. But Andersen makes a quality product that does not leak into the house. I am not sure I care how it drains, but it works when correctly installed.

It could be that I am misunderstanding what you are saying. But Andersen makes a quality product that does not leak into the house. I am not sure I care how it drains, but it works when correctly installed.

My experience with Andersen has been as follows. The right angle windows that I ordered from them lacked the outer seal . I gave them all my information for them to come and fix it and yet they wanted a date code off the glass. The windows were mfg. on 10/2006. I called them 2 months later. They made me drive 200 miles round-trip to get the information.

The Frenchwood Door experience is a tough one to call. Do I like the look of the door and the install? Yes. But this whole "it is normal for the track to fill with water on the interior of the house" bugs me. But that is just how it is. It isn't mentioned in ANY of the paperwork that I could find. And the water does drain out the weep-hole.

Do they make a quality product? I guess so.

I have been in this business for 21 years and have installed a lot of Andersen products. When there were problems, they were very quick to give service and solved all problems. I have had customers with doors out of warranty that received parts at no cost. I still don't understand what you situation is because I have never seen it, it makes no sense to me. I am not calling you an idiot or saying you know not of what you speak. I just have never seen it and don't understand why Andersen would make such a statement. See if you can get an Andersen rep to come and physically look at your problem.

Thanks Bill for reply. I have a rep coming out to seal the windows they forgot to seal, when I spoke to the field rep I was, again, told that it is normal for the interior of the track to "fill with water but not overflow - and drain after rain stops".

Thanks again,

Pete