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Topic: Window external drain cleaning (Read 759 times) previous topic - next topic

Window external drain cleaning

I have at least 3 windows leaking in one or the other lower corner during a hard rain. I was talking (moaning, more like it) to Tim about how expensive it would be to remove them and reinstall them with new seals. Tim said 'maybe the drains are clogged' - which I hadn't thought of before. I supposed I was trying to cost justify the $4K cost of new dual pane windows (mine are single).
So are there any tips on how? Backflush? Coat hanger seems like begging for trouble.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Window external drain cleaning

Reply #1
Air hose, vacuum????
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Window external drain cleaning

Reply #2
RV net said 125 psi air... That I can do...
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Window external drain cleaning

Reply #3
The small window in the water closet in our coach leaked during heavy rains. The water ran down the inside wall from the lower corners of the inside frame. I used a silicone caulk along the top and down each of the outside frame. The window has not leaked since I sealed it.

I have seen the small rectangular drain holes in the bottom rail of the outside frame. I would expect you could back flush them with a Water-Pic or something similar. I have no experience cleaning those. Fortunately, the leak described above has been our only window leak.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Window external drain cleaning

Reply #4

So are there any tips on how? Backflush? Coat hanger seems like begging for trouble.

Pipe cleaners?  Any leftovers can be used for the grandkids' crafts  ;)

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Window external drain cleaning

Reply #5
I used bailing wire on my 225 windows. Some of the dirt was really packed in there. I had to use the wire and rinse three or four times on each drain. I also used a little dish soap to help break up the dirt. Finally, all of the drains started working.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Window external drain cleaning

Reply #6
I used bailing wire on my 225 windows. Some of the dirt was really packed in there. I had to use the wire and rinse three or four times on each drain. I also used a little dish soap to help break up the dirt. Finally, all of the drains started working.

A good friend of mine, who is a Texan, claims that Okies use bailing wire for dental floss.  Don't know how much truth there is to this :).
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Window external drain cleaning

Reply #7
As tuff as Kent is is, I should think he uses barbed wire
1993 U300, 6v92
build 4366
USAF retired, Flight Engineer, C124, C130
 ATP, A & E.  & ex AI

Re: Window external drain cleaning

Reply #8
Old or expired credit cards, cheap table knife, frying pan spatula (metal or plastic) and last but not necessarily the worst if you are contemplating new double pane windows: 3# hammer and chisel.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Window external drain cleaning

Reply #9
George, haven't you noticed the rust or our teeth when Okies smile, well, rust on what teeth we have left.

Bill, not all Okies are that tough, only those naturally born Okies. I do however use my Buck knife as a tooth pick.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback