I agree that a disclaimer for window seals is certainly important. However, even though you didn't have one, I still would not offer to pay for the window repair. I would just flat out state that the technique I used does not result in window seal leakage, and you will not accept responsibility for it. Sure you likely will lose the repeat, but hey, sometimes that happens, and even if you did pay for the window to be replaced, you probably wouldn't get the repeat anyway.

I've noticed that in general, many people will try to weasle free things when they can. When they are faced by people who refuse to be scammed, and make it known that they are knowledgeable professionals, not amateurs, they will back down, and drop the issue.

I'm glad this topic surfaced, because I am in the middle of redoing my contracts, and can still insert this topic to cover myself.

Tony C.

A-Plus Power Washing
Riverview, MI.
Office : 734-281-5511

WWW.APLUSPOWERWASH.COM

"You Can't Get Better Than A-PLUS!!"

i think i've figured out what happened. the owner may well be right about it the window not being a problem in the past, but i'm right about not being responsible for the defective seal. it looks like the water got in at the top of the pane where the window is protected from rain by roughly 2" of frame and the gutter above that. until i washed it from below, it probably had never been hit with water at the break in the seal. also, i had to use tons of water on the 2d story eves(i've never seen such tenacious mildew). the 1st story gutters above the window had a blocked downspout, so water was flowing over the edges--adhesion may well have carried some of that water around the frame and straight to the gap in the seal.

so, it shouldn't cause future problems; the question is whether the moisture already inside will go away. if it will, i'm sure he'll be satisfied. ya'lls moral support was key and much appreciated. without it, i'd likely have buckled and accepted responsibility. hell, i might even get the guy's future business now that i've found an explanation that fits my position and his.

thanks!

richard

Glad it worked out for you.
gav

The Sky's the limit with SKY BLUE

Provided that no more water hits the area of the damaged seal, the moisture will eventually go away. BUT...there will likely be a foggy look to the glass, and maybe even some water spotting between the panes.

Come summertime when the humidity kicks up, and the customer cranks his ac on, the fog will likely return. Remember, there is no longer a thermal barrier between inside air and outside air.

The sash really needs to be replaced, because there either has to be a vacuum, or an inert gas separating the panes of glass.

Tony C.

A-Plus Power Washing
Riverview, MI.
Office : 734-281-5511

WWW.APLUSPOWERWASH.COM

"You Can't Get Better Than A-PLUS!!"

come summer if theres a vacum and it's hot outside and cold inside cause of the ac, some poor window cleaner will be the victim of an inplosion.
Gav

The Sky's the limit with SKY BLUE

Hi Guys. This post is a little late, but wanted to throw my 2-3 cents in. I spent the better part of 3 years making windows in a factory and learned alot about glass. It was not uncommon for the sheets of single glass to have been handled 15 times before they were finally sealed into one unit of insulated glass. Lots of opportunity for scratches, fingerprints and smudges, let your customers know this. Also, something to know is that some of the super effecient glass built now days will actually condense the vapor that is in between the seals when you wash it without the seal being broke. In effect, the glass is compensating for the difference in outside vs. inside temperature, and the glass is so effecient that the little moisture that is trapped in the unit condenses, nothing you can do about it... By the way, we had an industry average of about 20% waste on our finished glass before the units were shipped, so you know that alot of crap made it through to the job site.