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Author Topic: Sealed unit double glazing failing  (Read 17776 times)

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Jones

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Sealed unit double glazing failing
« on: December 15, 2011, 09:28:48 am »
I have a Persimmon home which is 6 years old and in the last 9 months the window units in my home are failing and condensation has started in 10 units.
I contacted NHBC as we are out of the 2-year Persimmon warranty on snagging. The NHBC's first response was that they could not help, as it was not a structural problem.
I then pointed out that my home is not properly insulated as heat could leave from the faulty units, the fact that I can't look out of 10 windows and that it devalues my house.

There are around 50 other houses on the development that are affected by the same defect meaning Persimmon have installed faulty windows!
The NHBC agreed and said they would consider it if it comes to £1,200 or more....a quote revealed it will not cost this amount but I don't see why we should have to foot the bill when in actual fact we were sold faulty goods...what can I do as I am so frustrated at the fact I can't look out of my windows.

What can I do?


Philofacts

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Re: Sealed unit double glazing failing
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2011, 09:31:48 am »
I would agree that Persimmon have no obligation to replace the sealed units or pay for the replacements as it is now outside the 2 year warranty.
The NHBC are also correct, as this is not a structural defect as prescribed in their Buildmark warranty. However, most sealed unit double glazed units come with a TEN-YEAR guarantee.
You should therefore take this matter up with the window manufacturer directly. They in turn may claim against their supplier of the units if they did not make them in-house.

If the glazed units do not have a ten year guarantee, then all you can do is highlight the problem with Persimmon CEO Mike Farley and hope he considers the bad publicity you could generate for his company would be more costly than doing the right thing and changing your sealed units.

As this is a development wide problem, it may be the case that some houses may have reported a problem within the two-year period and this could help you validate a claim against Persimmon under the 2-year warranty.

I would agree that such systemic failure of the units should not be expected so soon and in such numbers and this would indicate a failure of quality control with the original manufacturers of the sealed units. However, it is equally likely that they made not have been fitted correctly by the installer.
Reputable firms are FENSA approved and members of the Glass and Glazing Federation.
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