Do I need to fill façade window gaps?

[Samara1]

will this gaps required below the windows to drain rain water?

no need to fill with any silicon?

this is in my façade

any windows expert kindly advise

[EricL]

Hello @Samara1 

Thanks for sharing your question about your window gaps. I suspect that this is a cover for the front sill of the window assembly, I don't believe that it is necessary to cover this gap as it serves as an exit point for water. The purpose of the cover is to prevent water from coming in should it happen to be raining diagonally, but at the same time does not trap water inside of itself and lets it exit through the bottom. 

However, if water is coming through this point past your window and into your interior wall, then that is something that needs to be investigated first. 

Let me call on our experienced members @Nailbag and @Dave-1 for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @Samara1 

Nooooooo Please dont cover them up! lol Here is a story of "What not to do"

When I was retrofitting my garage to be a Libary I had my carpenter mate give me a hand with the doors and windows as I have never done those things before. Yackity Yack Yack back and fourth as we did the job stirring each other as I was the "cutter of the timber lengths/labourer.

Weather was coming in (A grey storm) and he had to get home for a Birthday so he was rushing through while I was asking a dozzen questions...

Yep perfect storm, Up the window goes, framed and bang bang bang, looks perfect.... Those slots you show are weep holes for the water to drain from... We and yeah I say we coverered up mine Every time the wind drove the rain straight at the window, I ended up with a puddle inside the room... Only reason I figured out what it could be was I take a LOT of photos and when i stepped through them I showed my carpenter mate and he goes  "Ummmm" and blushed. We put a front over those weep holes lol Funny but frustrating. All fixed now

Here is the project and in particular step 5 is where I show what the issue was.

Garage converted into library room 

Dave

[Samara1]

Great thanks @Dave-1 @EricL 

1) i can see 3 small holes below the grey sticker (which is yet to be removed) where water can pass thru outside.

are these small weep holes enough ? do we still need the bottom 10-20mm gaps ?

2) Is it how the window bottom finished bec it does not look neat finish in bottom of windows

kindly advise

[EricL]

Hello @Samara1 

I understand if those little weep holes are bothering you, but it's part of the function of the window frame. When very heavy rain falls on your windows and travels down to the channel there has to be a way for that water to get out. The engineers designing these windows later realized that exit points must be created in order to avoid flooding the channel. 

I don't recommend covering the weepholes as they are needed to allow water to flow out of the window channel. If you close them water will enter your wall and leaks will appear on the other side of the window damaging your wall and possibly damaging your interior floor as well. 

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Samara1]

thanks @EricL sorry i mean not that 3 small weep holes where it must be required to drain water. 

what i mean is the additional bottom gap 10-20mm still required below the 3 small weep holes ? when water pass thru the smalll weep holes then still why the bottom gap is required is my question. sorry if i understand the concept wrongly

[EricL]

Hello @Samara1 

It's probably part of the assembly of your window frame.If water is not entering your wall or room, I don't recommend sealing this part of your window frame. There is likely a reason the builder did not seal it, or it might not have been necessary. If it is not negatively affecting the structure or function of your house, I don't recommend modifying it.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag · Accepted solution]

Hi @Samara1 

Leave these 3 drain holes open as they allow for and moisture/water to drain and airflow to assist this within the water cavity. It’s part of a standard window design.

With regards, to the lower opening, if the flat sill/section under the window bends up under that lip under the where the vent holes are then this can be left as is.

If you have any concern, fill the gap with monument (if that’s the colour) gap sealant.

Regards, Nailbag