Lanai windows seals disintegrating

[Waterfront]

Help! We have an enclosed Lanai and the seals from the outside are disintegrating leaving holes and getting mold. The person that installed it is no longer in business and the glass person I used said he can’t fix it. Has anyone here had a similar problem and found how or who to fix?

[CoachKandSportsguy]

UV sunlight in FL is very, very strong. Lots of rubber type products succumb, including vehicle window seals, with constant sunlight every day. Same with windows. . .

[villagetinker]

I am guessing you could contact some of the companies that do lanai enclosures to see if they would do the window replacement. Your installation looks similar to ours (aluminum frame, vinyl window enclosure), so after taking measurements they should be able to replace the windows. I would not expect the same warranty they would offer if they did the whole project.

[Stu from NYC]

I am guessing you could contact some of the companies that do lanai enclosures to see if they would do the window replacement. Your installation looks similar to ours (aluminum frame, vinyl window enclosure), so after taking measurements they should be able to replace the windows. I would not expect the same warranty they would offer if they did the whole project.

Good advise. Wonder how often this happens.

[Waterfront]

I don’t want to replace the windows just fix the seals. Thx. Anyone has found someone that does this?

[Laurawilcox]

I am part of the warranty team at Custom Windows and Exterior Designs, having been building enclosed lanais for over 36 years here in The Villages we have some experience. My point in that, is that you can trust when I highly recommend Jose and his team for helping with your situation. We work with them quite a bit for special projects. I described your situation to him and he was comfortable with me sharing his contact information. He is licensed, and insured. Jose - 352-737-7043.

[CarlR33]

I don’t want to replace the windows just fix the seals. Thx. Anyone has found someone that does this?Your windows are shot as it’s a sealed window system and no such thing as a reseal of what you have. Call an expert.

[Rocksnap]

Glass has to be removed to then reseal.

[JudyLife]

Help! We have an enclosed Lanai and the seals from the outside are disintegrating leaving holes and getting mold. The person that installed it is no longer in business and the glass person I used said he can’t fix it. Has anyone here had a similar problem and found how or who to fix?
Yes! We have had exactly the same when we were there in July & found the company who had installed it were no longer in business. Tried Docs Restorations who ‘re-caulked’ various areas of windows but still had a puddle with heavy rain. Hubby then went round for ages with caulk sealing every possible tiny suspicious area & so far so good. Fingers crossed. Had a nice guy from some lanai company come but said they wouldn’t touch it as it was someone else’s work. He also said original company would’ve had a 20-25 yr warranty but when I enquired of course they no longer exist. Our villa built 2007 & a lot of folks probably have the exact same problem.

[Dkintzer]

I don’t want to replace the windows just fix the seals. Thx. Anyone has found someone that does this?

We used Affordable Glass Mirror and Screen| Ocala Fl (https://www.affordableglassmirrorandscreen.com/). They were really good, fixed the seal & @ a fair price.

[maggie1]

Help! We have an enclosed Lanai and the seals from the outside are disintegrating leaving holes and getting mold. The person that installed it is no longer in business and the glass person I used said he can’t fix it. Has anyone here had a similar problem and found how or who to fix?

If you use Jose in post #6, let us know how it runs out.

[DrHitch]

I can't quite tell if your lanai windows are thermopane (2 pieces of glass). Either way, as long as the glass isn't foggy, you can simply scrape and re-caulk the seams on the outside with clear silicon. The 3rd picture looks like a bit of rust (inside?) which is weird since the frame is likely aluminum or vinyl.

Keep describing age, type of windows, etc....more of a handyman job to "extend" the life

[Wondering]

Help! We have an enclosed Lanai and the seals from the outside are disintegrating leaving holes and getting mold. The person that installed it is no longer in business and the glass person I used said he can’t fix it. Has anyone here had a similar problem and found how or who to fix?
Contact the window manufacturer. Didn't they come with a warranty?

[Cobrasally]

Speaking from experience here! We've had similar issues with our lanai and house windows.
They can't fix these windows, as it's a sealed unit. Ours look almost exactly like yours, and if they're from the same manufacturer, they may have a lifetime warranty.
Ours were installed by Custom Windows in Leesburg. Give them a call, have them come take a look. If the windows are from the same manufacturer, CW might be able to get them replaced at no cost to you. I'm sure you'd have to pay for installation since CW is not the original installer.

[DAVES]

Yes! We have had exactly the same when we were there in July & found the company who had installed it were no longer in business. Tried Docs Restorations who ‘re-caulked’ various areas of windows but still had a puddle with heavy rain. Hubby then went round for ages with caulk sealing every possible tiny suspicious area & so far so good. Fingers crossed. Had a nice guy from some lanai company come but said they wouldn’t touch it as it was someone else’s work. He also said original company would’ve had a 20-25 yr warranty but when I enquired of course they no longer exist. Our villa built 2007 & a lot of folks probably have the exact same problem.

The SAD reality. Warranties, buy our extended warranty for only. You are paying money thinking about the product. But will the company still be in business? Oh the warranty only covers materials. The labor is not covered and a warranty claim we will charge you enough for labor so you can have the entire job done for less. There are honest people. They rarely are the cheapest.

[bob47]

I'm wondering, if you applied something like Son Of A Gun protectant to the seals if it would slow down or prevent their breaking down. It would not repair or reverse existing damage.

[Waterfront]

Contact the window manufacturer. Didn't they come with a warranty?

Second owners out of luck. Company no longer in business. Thx

[G.R.I.T.S.]

We had Romac replace a couple of our windows after we discovered they bought the original manufacturer. They are doing fine; others are fogging up but still perform well. Don’t remember the cost but it will be more now.

[Waterfront]

If you use Jose in post #6, let us know how it runs out.

And that was the big problem. We kept asking to replace the “seals” those are irreplaceable. Using the wrong word kept giving us the wrong answer. Gasket!!!! If I had known this 6 years ago!!! He had to come twice and it is messy! So happy we finally fix the problem. We will see if they leak on the next storm

[Waterfront]

I am part of the warranty team at Custom Windows and Exterior Designs, having been building enclosed lanais for over 36 years here in The Villages we have some experience. My point in that, is that you can trust when I highly recommend Jose and his team for helping with your situation. We work with them quite a bit for special projects. I described your situation to him and he was comfortable with me sharing his contact information. He is licensed, and insured. Jose - 352-737-7043.. Thank for giving me Jose’s #. I needed to ask for someone to replace the Gaskets. Now I know! Thanks

[Waterfront]

Jose replaced the Gaskets

[Laurawilcox]

I am so glad you had the courage to trust my referral and to hear you have everything taken care of. Great timing to have it done before the storm.

[Waterfront]

All the windows Jose fixed are now leaking! One is leaving a big pool in the floor. Jose said last week he is sick and to give him a few days to come and fix them. The remedy has turned worse than the original problem. It was an expensive and messy job. Don't want someone to suffer due to my previous recommendation, I was so happy the problem was solved, should have waited for the first rains. I hope Jose gets better soon and that he is indeed able to fix them. I will update you.

[Laurawilcox]

I understand that after Jose was recovered from Covid, that he came out and did the necessary adjustments

[Waterfront]

I understand that after Jose was recovered from Covid, that he came out and did the necessary adjustments

He finally did send someone else, Angel, he said he was told to caulk the windows! I said no, if I wanted to that I would not have spent all that money, I could have done that myself. He said that maybe the new gaskets had not attached yet to the windows and to wait for the next rain. It hasn't rained so far, so waiting for a nice rain to see if "the gaskets attach to the window".

I was really thrilled after all these years to finally find someone to fix the problem, and I appreciate your recommendation. People don't always work out for every job.

Will let you know after a storm.

[blueash]

What is so special about a rain storm that you can't just take a hose and spray that window from every angle to see if it is leaking?

[Waterfront]

I am hoping that there will be no more leaks. Thanks for your help.