Maintenance & Cleaning
Horizontal sliders have a track system in which the operator slides. This track must be periodically cleaned in order to maintain a smooth operation. Accumulation of debris in the track can affect the weep system. If this debris builds up in front of the internal weeps, the track can fill with water and will not drain properly. The best way to clean the track is with a vacuum and then a wet cloth with a mild soap. After cleaning, pour a cup of water into the track and make sure that the water drains out. It is common for a small amount of water be left in the track after draining. If the window is not draining through the weeps properly after cleaning the track, the track will need to be removed for further cleaning. It is possible for debris to accumulate under the track and clog the weep holes. This track is snapped into place and can be easily removed. Using an “L” shaped pick, hook underneath the outside edge of the sill track and pull up. This will unsnap the connection of the track. Remove the track completely, clean, and reinstall. When reinstalling, be sure than the track snaps into place along the full length of the track. Leave an equal amount of space on each end of the track.
Sliding Window Weep System
Unlike casement and hung windows which shed water without any sign of water to the inside, slider windows utilize an interior weep system that does allow water to accumulate on the visible interior operating track. This occurrence happens with all manufactures of horizontal sliding windows. All sliding windows have a built-in weep system that drains the screen track, under the fixed glass and the interlock rail of the operator. If the screen track weeps take on too much water, it can overflow through the weeps under the fixed glass and through the bottom of the operator interlock area. This will cause water to seep through the fixed glass glazing retainer and run under the operator onto the operator track. Once water reaches the operator track it will run to the ends of the track and then down to the window track below. This track weeps water to the exterior. During certification tests this is perfectly normal and expected. The slider is allowed to have the operator track completely full of water as long as it doesn’t spill over to the inside of the house.
Please note that a garden hose test is not the proper way to water test a window. Water testing is heavily regulated to very specific pressures and water volume. Our windows are AAMA tested and certified with a simulated 8″ of rain per hour with 5.25lbs of pressure in lab testing. None of this can be regulated with a garden house. The amount of water coming out of a garden hose is many times beyond what 8″ of rain per hour would be. Small puddles of water on the sill track does not constitute a water failure. As mentioned earlier, the slider track must fill up and spill over before it is considered a failure. We follow industry standard water testing under AAMA 501.1-17. so, these windows have been tested and certified along with many years of proven performance.
Additional Helpful Links:
https://www.gerkin.com/product-care-maintenance.php
https://helpcenter.andersenwindows.com/aw/s/article/Contain-and-Drain-Water-Management-System-on-Andersen-Windows-and-Patio-Doors
