Enclosed Lanai Leaking

[dsnrbec]

We enclosed our lanai almost 3 yrs ago with double paned sliding doors. We’ve had problems from the beginning with water coming in one corner when we have a hard rain. We’ve been told that is common and expected but weren’t told that before installation. I’m curious if anyone else has the problem or are we being given the run around by our contractor? They’ve been out a number of times but have been unable to solve the issue.

[retiredguy123]

We enclosed our lanai almost 3 yrs ago with double paned sliding doors. We’ve had problems from the beginning with water coming in one corner when we have a hard rain. We’ve been told that is common and expected but weren’t told that before installation. I’m curious if anyone else has the problem or are we being given the run around by our contractor? They’ve been out a number of times but have been unable to solve the issue.
It's not common. You are getting the run around. It shouldn't leak.

[Babubhat]

They either fix it now or go to small claims court

[Garywt]

Mine has never leaked. One would think a bit of caulking on the outside would take care of it.

[villagetinker]

I would give the contractor one more call (opportunity) to fix this and explain that if they do not, you will file a complaint with the BBB and Seniors against crime. Hopefully this will be enough to get their attention, and if not then DO IT! This will cost you nothing, versus filing a claim or hiring a lawyer.

[Stu from NYC]

We had a leak last year after Custom Windows did our Florida room.

Turned out caulking was not done completely. They came out and fixed the problem.

Thinking this might be your problem.

[Rwirish]

Not common.

[sdeikenberry]

The author should be able to determine the manufacture of the sliders. Call them and ask if leaks are normal. Tell the manufacture what the contractor is saying, and ask what the remedy is. That way you'll know if the contractor is feeding you a line of B.S. (which I'm sure he is.) Sliders should not leak except perhaps in a hurricane.

[thevillages2013]

We enclosed our lanai almost 3 yrs ago with double paned sliding doors. We’ve had problems from the beginning with water coming in one corner when we have a hard rain. We’ve been told that is common and expected but weren’t told that before installation. I’m curious if anyone else has the problem or are we being given the run around by our contractor? They’ve been out a number of times but have been unable to solve the issue.

Is the water actually getting on the floor or just in the slider track? It’s normal to see some water in the track occasionally but it should drain to the outside

[Bethwill]

Along with all of the other recommendations you might want to verify that there is nothing blocking your gutters' drainage.

[tsmall22204]

Mine does not leak. You might need an attorney.

[dsnrbec]

Is the water actually getting on the floor or just in the slider track? It’s normal to see some water in the track occasionally but it should drain to the outside

It overflows the track and comes onto the tile floor.

[Kgray0526]

Ours has a place that leaks too, but we put a towel there only when it’s a heavy rain coming at that direction. Our contractor came out several times too. From what we understand, this is common.

[Oneiric]

Please mention the companies you used that gave you these leaks. Just information, no blame intended.

[mtdjed]

If your outside grading is such that you get water against the slider that is higher than the track during heavy rain you will get water indoors. Our neighbor got water in Lanai before enclosure and therefore raised lanai floor when they enclosed.

If water gets in track from direct rainfall, the track drainage should be adequate to keep water out.

[bonrich]

There should be holes on the outside of the tracks to allow for drainage. Could be the hole(s) are blocked. If that is the case, it should be an easy fix.

[Mikentonik]

If the track is filling up with water tells me the outside drain holes are plugged.

[JMintzer]

If your outside grading is such that you get water against the slider that is higher than the track during heavy rain you will get water indoors. Our neighbor got water in Lanai before enclosure and therefore raised lanai floor when they enclosed.

If water gets in track from direct rainfall, the track drainage should be adequate to keep water out.

This is the most likely problem...

[retiredguy123]

If the track drain holes were plugged, I would think that the contractor would have checked that if he was out several times?

[jarodrig]

Who is the contractor ?

[pacoutts]

We enclosed our lanai almost 3 yrs ago with double paned sliding doors. We’ve had problems from the beginning with water coming in one corner when we have a hard rain. We’ve been told that is common and expected but weren’t told that before installation. I’m curious if anyone else has the problem or are we being given the run around by our contractor? They’ve been out a number of times but have been unable to solve the issue.

I am having the same problem. They have been here 5 times to repair and on Saturday it leaked yet again.

[LaneyBeckler]

We had a similar problem, but once we had a porcelain tile floor installed, no more leaks. That blocked off any water from entering, and floor is completely in tact.

[blueash]

Agree with those who said the problem is drainage. Water is collecting in your track faster than it empties. This is either from blocked holes in the track, water flowing outside toward your home creating an external ponding that is higher than your drain holes, or possibly your roof alignment is dumping a huge amount of water down the outside of the window overwhelming the ability to empty.

Is it possible the cement ledge on which your sliders sit is slanted inward? Seems unlikely but worth checking.

[Stu from NYC]

Who is the contractor ?

Would be good to know for people considering florida rooms.

[dsnrbec]

Would be good to know for people considering florida rooms.

We worked with All Seasons Rooms. We were very satisfied with them during installation but have become disillusioned about their inability to stop the leak. They have not responded to our latest email (sent 6 days ago) and feel like they hope we go away. We may be left with no choice but to try and find another contractor who can fix it. We’re not big fans of legal remedies but have no problem with BBB and Seniors Against Crime.

[zendog3]

Your house was built with the floors of the house above grade. Your lanai was built as an outdoor space and the floor is not above grade, but on grade. To expect the slider rails to keep out the flood of a heavy rain is asking a lot. You should have raised the floor. If not, I don't see you have a case.

Our lanai and bird cage floor was concrete tiles. Naturally, the rain runs through the spaces between tiles and comes into the lanai with heavy rains. The grade is away from the house so that keeps all but the heaviest rains out.

[JMintzer]

Do you have gutters in the back?

Maybe adding gutters to move the water away from that part of the house would help...

[Diver Man]

We had the same issue, there is the main hardware attached to the house, then the secondary track (the windows sliders). The problem we had on both houses, was the caulking between the 2 pieces was not done properly. Only noticed when it rained hard. Both times they came out and recaulked between the 2 channels. This fixed the issues. The water will follow the track and leak at the point with no caulk.

[Toddy]

We enclosed our lanai almost 3 yrs ago with double paned sliding doors. We’ve had problems from the beginning with water coming in one corner when we have a hard rain. We’ve been told that is common and expected but weren’t told that before installation. I’m curious if anyone else has the problem or are we being given the run around by our contractor? They’ve been out a number of times but have been unable to solve the issue.
Try putting in a french well around the lanai or put in solid window about 15 inches high with shorter slides above.

[Stu from NYC]

Your house was built with the floors of the house above grade. Your lanai was built as an outdoor space and the floor is not above grade, but on grade. To expect the slider rails to keep out the flood of a heavy rain is asking a lot. You should have raised the floor. If not, I don't see you have a case.



If what you are saying is correct, and have no idea, would think the contractor should have brought that up to the buyer. Who wants a wet floor?

[davem4616]

It overflows the track and comes onto the tile floor.


that sounds like you may have clogged drains on the tracks.....had that

contractor came over and drilled a couple so they were larger...problem solved
(or you might just need to do a little maintenance ....a pipe cleaner might be able to unclog them)


4 years into our enclosure, we had some leaks...caulking had dried...they fixed it

good luck

[retiredguy123]

Your house was built with the floors of the house above grade. Your lanai was built as an outdoor space and the floor is not above grade, but on grade. To expect the slider rails to keep out the flood of a heavy rain is asking a lot. You should have raised the floor. If not, I don't see you have a case.

Our lanai and bird cage floor was concrete tiles. Naturally, the rain runs through the spaces between tiles and comes into the lanai with heavy rains. The grade is away from the house so that keeps all but the heaviest rains out.
My lanai floor is about 6 inches above grade, which is typical for the newer houses. If the floor was on the ground level, the contractor should have at least raised the sliding doors at inch or so to prevent a driving rain from forcing water under the doors.

[retiredguy123]

There should be holes on the outside of the tracks to allow for drainage. Could be the hole(s) are blocked. If that is the case, it should be an easy fix.
My sliding door tracks do not have drains holes. The water drains to the outside edges of the track, where there is a gap.

[Fire Escape]

The first step is to determine where it is leaking from. If it is leaking around the outside frame and or sill, it could be a caulk problem(installation issue). If it is coming in around the sliding door it could be a factory seal problem(manufacturing and or installation issue). If it is over flowing the track it could be a blocked drain. Sometimes dirt builds up or caulk is inadvertently put over drains. Either way I would have the contractor come back. You can try and replicate the problem while they are there by spraying it with a hose. Good luck.

[thevillages2013]

If there is concrete outside the slider and it has been finished with a built up concrete design or kool deck that could be keeping the slider track from draining . Water finds a level and runs downhill

[dsnrbec]

If what you are saying is correct, and have no idea, would think the contractor should have brought that up to the buyer. Who wants a wet floor?

My feelings exactly. It would have made a difference in our decision as to whether or not to raise the floor.