[MrLonzo]

Whoever built the lanai for my house apparently forgot to install drainage holes at the bottom screen frames. Whenever it rains, puddles form on the floor and have nowhere to drain. (House is a recent resale built in 2019)

Has anyone who has had a similar problem been able to find a handyman or lanai specialist to install drainage, and is happy with their workmanship and price? I'd like to get a referral.

[ton80]

Originally Posted by MrLonzo

Whoever built the lanai for my house apparently forgot to install drainage holes at the bottom screen frames. Whenever it rains, puddles form on the floor and have nowhere to drain. (House is a recent resale built in 2019)

Has anyone who has had a similar problem been able to find a handyman or lanai specialist to install drainage, and is happy with their workmanship and price? I'd like to get a referral.

There are drainage devices where you break out concrete and install drainage devices. Search on TOTV.
Also you will find cheap and easy solution where you loosen the bottom screws that hold the screen down. Then use a flat screw driver to "pry up" this flange. Put some pennies or other coins under the flange. Voila the water drains out. The coins do not rust. Not elegant but it works. No one but you and me will know. Try it. It cost 2 cents times a few places.

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by ton80

There are drainage devices where you break out concrete and install drainage devices. Search on TOTV.
Also you will find cheap and easy solution where you loosen the bottom screws that hold the screen down. Then use a flat screw driver to "pry up" this flange. Put some pennies or other coins under the flange. Voila the water drains out. The coins do not rust. Not elegant but it works. No one but you and me will know. Try it. It cost 2 cents times a few places.

I recently did something very similar using flat aluminum strips cut 2 1/4 inches long. As noted above you loosen the bottom strips, insert the new strips and retighten the screws. I did about 3/4 of our birdcage and it is working great in that area, I missed one corner and we currently have a puddle there, and i will be doing this area shortly. NOTE I previously had some drains installed, which kinda worked, but the doors started to fail and we had anoles getting in. I have sealed these closed now.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

VT, how thick are the aluminum strips?

Will implement this simple, easy solution when down there. .

[Ropnrose]

Originally Posted by ton80

There are drainage devices where you break out concrete and install drainage devices. Search on TOTV.
Also you will find cheap and easy solution where you loosen the bottom screws that hold the screen down. Then use a flat screw driver to "pry up" this flange. Put some pennies or other coins under the flange. Voila the water drains out. The coins do not rust. Not elegant but it works. No one but you and me will know. Try it. It cost 2 cents times a few places.

I used the coin solution! Works great!

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

VT, how thick are the aluminum strips?

Will implement this simple, easy solution when down there. .

1/16 inch thick and 1/2 to 1 inch wide depending on what you can find.

[JohnN]

Originally Posted by ton80

There are drainage devices where you break out concrete and install drainage devices. Search on TOTV.
Also you will find cheap and easy solution where you loosen the bottom screws that hold the screen down. Then use a flat screw driver to "pry up" this flange. Put some pennies or other coins under the flange. Voila the water drains out. The coins do not rust. Not elegant but it works. No one but you and me will know. Try it. It cost 2 cents times a few places.

Bingo, exactly right - takes 5 minutes, 2 cents, and 0 handymen.

[bowlingal]

mrLonzo, do you have gutters along your lanai? Might help

[MrLonzo]

Originally Posted by bowlingal

mrLonzo, do you have gutters along your lanai? Might help

No. The problem is not from splashing, it happens when the wind blows the rain at an angle coming through the screen.

[WendyWick]

You could try Screen Room Drains (352) 342-7696. It was invented by a resident and lets the water out without allowing bugs in.

[sallyg]

We had the same problem. My husband very slightly loosened the bolts of the screen frame that screw into the cement and the water was able to drain out. Easy.

[MrLonzo]

Originally Posted by WendyWick

You could try Screen Room Drains (352) 342-7696. It was invented by a resident and lets the water out without allowing bugs in.

Thank you for this information! I found this to be an interesting solution to the problem! I doubt I would use this method, however, as I'd need at least 3 such drains. That's over $100, which is more than 6 cents! I'm perplexed, though, as to why those who install the original lanai screens don't include the drainage to begin with, even if it means putting some pennies under the frame...

[skiclub]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

I recently did something very similar using flat aluminum strips cut 2 1/4 inches long. As noted above you loosen the bottom strips, insert the new strips and retighten the screws. I did about 3/4 of our birdcage and it is working great in that area, I missed one corner and we currently have a puddle there, and i will be doing this area shortly. NOTE I previously had some drains installed, which kinda worked, but the doors started to fail and we had anoles getting in. I have sealed these closed now.

Wondering if you had any problems with bugs or critters getting in with this gap?

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by skiclub

Wondering if you had any problems with bugs or critters getting in with this gap?

Note so far, the gap appears to be small enough to keep critters out.

[skiclub]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Note so far, the gap appears to be small enough to keep critters out.

Thanks, VT I appreciate your response. We will have to do this.