| Posted: Sun Dec 5th, 2010 07:11 pm |
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1st Post |
Adam
AGG Member
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Has anyone ever had to conduct a water test of their work after it was installed? If so, how was the test conducted and what were the results?
Thanks,
Adam
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| Posted: Sun Dec 5th, 2010 10:48 pm |
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2nd Post |
gwsg
AGG Member
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We have had to locate leaks in windows on a number of occasions. We used a hose with the pressure and spray pattern set to resemble heavy rain and started at the bottom of the window and worked slowly upwards. An observer on the inside with a cell phone would alert the sprayer as soon as any water came through. In every case the leaks were occurring through the tracery or mullion joints rather than the leaded glass. Have never been asked to water test a new window.
Cheers
Geoff
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| Posted: Mon Dec 6th, 2010 12:30 am |
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3rd Post |
Adam
AGG Member
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Hi Geoff,
The studio I work for did a large scale relead. After installation we were informed that a water test in accordance with aama 501 would be conducted by an independent 3rd party. It was decided that the windows would not be storm glazed because it was theorized that storm glazing contributed to the ruin of the original frames. We weatherproofed the windows the way we have done on quite a few other jobs and we've had no problems. However after looking into what is involved in a aama 501 watertest I'm not sure any stained glass window could hold up. I've included links to two websites to see an example of a water test being done. I just wondered if anyone has had to have a window tested to this standard.
a highlight of the requirements
brass nozzle with a pressure gauge dialed in for 35 psi
Nozzle held 1 foot from test area
test area sprayed for five minutes
http://gorecon.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-to-perform-aama-5012-field-quality.html
http://www.wisconsinsolardesign.com/fieldwatertest.html
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| Posted: Mon Dec 6th, 2010 08:59 pm |
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4th Post |
CZL
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When I was working for the Willet studio back in the 1970s I designed and managed the fabrication of the windows in the Temple of the Later Day Saints (MORMON) in Washington D.C. Willet's crew installed it I had reservations at the time, about the frames and after a year or so the Mormons claimed it leaked in some places. These windows were dalle glass cast in epoxy. So Crosby and I went to the Temple to check it out. The windows are around 140 ft.
high and ten or twelve feet across and are on the conners of the building. As the building had been consecrated we had to go in with Mormons surrounding us. We got to the base of the window in question, through it we could just make out three or four guys with a FIRE HOSE pointed at the window, they turned it on. I looked at Crosby in the wet mist in which we now stood. He was a lighter shade of pail, he smiled and said to the surrounding Mormons, as he wiped the water off his face, YUP guess it leaks.
You got to know when to hold um, and you got to know when to fold um. Jed Bortlien, hung out in the wind on the out side of that building in a bosons chair with a caulk gun for the next month or so and fixed it. I will be for ever in thankful to Jed and his father John for that. I guess it is to this day dry inside the Temple.
May the Bortleins live forever.
CZ
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| Posted: Tue Feb 22nd, 2011 07:12 pm |
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5th Post |
artfem
AGG Member
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Adam:
the first test you reference is for a curtain wall. Curtain walls are monolithic or insulated glass units set into aluminum frames. In my opinion, this test is not an appropriate test for stained glass. The second test may approximate a proper test, but if the testing was not a part of the original spec, I don't see how an owner can enforce this.
Best,
Art
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| Posted: Tue Feb 22nd, 2011 07:32 pm |
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6th Post |
Krueger
Membership and Website
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Well,, a water test could also be "the next time it rains" which happened to a situation I was involved with......the large wall of leaded glass leaked in several locations, as noted by the wet interior window sills......so the studio came back at least TWICE......it seems to me in large situations, perhaps the installling studio could take the iniative and do their own water test the week or so after installation....does that make sense or other suggestions?
Barbara in Michigan
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| Posted: Thu Feb 24th, 2011 02:00 am |
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7th Post |
Steve
AGG Member
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"come back a week later...."
falls under the oritginal spec, it all costs money, if it was in the original spec, then a studio could allow for the expense, if not, it's not happening without additional charges. I would think.
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