Window backdam assembly for preventing water intrusion

Abstract

A window backdam assembly includes an elongate backdam placed flat on top of a window sill near an interior end. A portion of the window sill adjacent to the exterior end is temporarily uncovered. A one-piece waterproof adhesive material is placed over the entire backdam and uncovered portion of the window sill. The elastic adhesive material is generously sized to cover the backdam, the uncovered window sill, and lower portions of the jambs of the window frame and structural panel. Thin flashing material may be applied horizontally to the structural panel beneath the sill, vertically along the two jambs of the panel, and horizontally on the top portion of panel, thereby forming a border around the panel opening.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates generally to window assembly installation and structures to prevent air and water intrusion.[0003]2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information[0004]One of the easiest ways for water to intrude into a home or building is through areas surrounding windows. A typical window sill provides a convenient entrance for water to enter through the window opening and into the building structure. Though it is never desirable to have water leaking into a home, severe water intrusion caused by natural occurrences, such as storms and heavy rains, can lead to extensive, costly damage in a building.[0005]Accordingly, prior art attempts to resolve this problem include a variety of awkward mechanisms, including differently shaped pans and so forth. One primary drawback of these mechanisms is that they require the builder or user to purchase an additional structural item which must be incorporated into a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]In another aspect, a method is provided for forming a window assembly that prevents water intrusion. The method includes providing a window frame with a window sill having an interior end and an exterior end, providing a backdam having a height, a width, and a depth greater than the height, placing the backdam horizontally flat on the window sill adjacent to the interior end so to as temporarily expose a portion of the window sill adjacent to the exterior end, and covering the backdam and the exposed portion of the window sill with a one-piece elastic adhesive material.

[0015]In a further aspect, a method is provided for forming a window assembly that prevents water intrusion using existing materials already being employed in the construction of a building housing the window assembly. The method comprises providing a first material being used in constructing the building, providing a waterproof adhesive material being used in constructing the building, providing a window frame with a window sill having an interior end and an exterior end, providing a backdam composed of the first material, forming the backdam with a height, a width, and a depth greater than the height, placing the backdam horizontally flat on the window sill adjacent to the interior end so to as temporarily expose a portion of the window sill adjacent to the exterior end, and covering the backdam and the exposed portion of the window sill with the waterproof adhesive material.

Problems solved by technology

Though it is never desirable to have water leaking into a home, severe water intrusion caused by natural occurrences, such as storms and heavy rains, can lead to extensive, costly damage in a building.

Accordingly, prior art attempts to resolve this problem include a variety of awkward mechanisms, including differently shaped pans and so forth.

One primary drawback of these mechanisms is that they require the builder or user to purchase an additional structural item which must be incorporated into a window frame or assembly.

Where a home or building includes several windows, the purchase and assembly of individual pans for every window can be a costly and time consuming exercise.

These variances make it more burdensome to employ prior structure accessories in the prior which come prefabricated.

Once again, in a home or building with several differently sized window openings, the need to alter prior art fittings for each individual window leads to a very toilsome and lengthy task, which inevitably leads to greater costs in terms of labor.

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