Water coming in by my sliding window on 2001 Princess 50 - we'd love help and advice please

[Crystal Seas]

Hi everyone,
one fixed window and one sliding window, and the rain sits in the channels, then slowly leaks into the boat.
Has anyone else had the same problems please?
Thanks
Crystal Seas

 

[PlankWalker]

Yes, just rebuilt all of my windows as 4 of them were leaking just as you described.
It took me months to figure it out, as I assumed the water was leaking between the frame and the coach roof sides,
not so! the water was getting around the toughened glass through the black butyl? mastic.
Not an easy job but doable if you're very handy.

Plank

 

[Iliade]

Also shouldn't there be a tiny drain hole(s) to prevent just this scenario?

 

[Daydream believer]

Lliade must be on the right track (sic)#3
I would have thought the answer would be to get a Dremel & cut small slits along the bottom of the channel on the outside to allow water to drain away. Small round holes probably clog too easily. But do remember to remove the glass first.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

You'll probably find that the drain holes are present, but clogged up. You could clean then out periodically with a toothpick or similar, or cut a 'v' down to them.

 

[Crystal Seas]

Yes, just rebuilt all of my windows as 4 of them were leaking just as you described.
It took me months to figure it out, as I assumed the water was leaking between the frame and the coach roof sides,
not so! the water was getting around the toughened glass through the black butyl? mastic.
Not an easy job but doable if you're very handy.

Plank

I think I understand you, but the issue I feel is that the aluminium frame corrosion has been a tad severe, and the water lays in the channels. The furry ones where the window slides. When I gently put water in the channels, and keep it going, it does come out below in all the electrics, along the cables I saw when I was removing trim inside. The problem is that I smeared black sikaflex onto the inside of the hi level st/steel guard, and wasn't happy that all I was doing was holding the water in the very channels that I wanted not to empty in board.
My wrong decision was to put all the trim back, although after testing it didn't leak, only to find it did with rain, later.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Why is it coming in due to rain and not when testing by pouring on water?
Wind pressure? Leak along the top, where you might not have poured water?
You could go on and on trying to patch it in situ with sealants, as I mistakenly did on my previous boat. The only answer is to bite the bullet, remove and re-install, using up to date sealants, or purchasing new frames, if corroded too badly.

 

[Crystal Seas]

Why is it coming in due to rain and not when testing by pouring on water?
Wind pressure? Leak along the top, where you might not have poured water?
You could go on and on trying to patch it in situ with sealants, as I mistakenly did on my previous boat. The only answer is to bite the bullet, remove and re-install, using up to date sealants, or purchasing new frames, if corroded too badly.

Did you do this yourself, or use a contractor. If the latter - whom please?

 

[Refueler]

If the leak is via a part that does not need to move ... Captain Tolleys does a good job of wicking in and sealing those hard to find leaks !

I have two framed fixed windows that were allowing seepage of water ... quick application of Capt Tolleys that ran round the frames ... wicked in and bingo ..... no DIY signs or tell tales ... all looks good and no leaks.

 

[Crystal Seas]

If the leak is via a part that does not need to move ... Captain Tolleys does a good job of wicking in and sealing those hard to find leaks !

I have two framed fixed windows that were allowing seepage of water ... quick application of Capt Tolleys that ran round the frames ... wicked in and bingo ..... no DIY signs or tell tales ... all looks good and no leaks.

Thanks