No, there shouldn't be water ingress.The point of a greenhouse is to be a controlled environment, with minimal uncontrolled air ingress and no water ingress. To tell you otherwise is chancing their arms. Did they follow the instructions? Are the panes tight against the seals? Are the seals intact along the full length of their seatings? When fitting the seals did they stretch them on?
Do you have a spirit level? Check it's plumb square and level.
Get everything in writing, state in your letter that you wish all correspondence in writing and don't answer the telephone to them. If they say they will repair it advise you will not sign anything until you have tested it with a sprinkler to your satisfaction.
When receiving goods of any sort including installations such as greenhouses, kitchens, bathrooms one should always sign "Received, not inspected" or "Received, pending inspection" alongside your signature.
They usually try and get people to hastily sign off as "completely satisfied" by pointing out positive aspects of the installation at closure and saying they won't take up any more of the customer's valuable time ...then legging it before one finds the corners they've cut.
I have always understood that to try and repair a fault on something in particular that is still under guarentee is not a good idea, as it deems your guarantee to then become voide.
This then gives The company the right to refuse the fault is theirs as the product has been tampered with and you could have caused the problem yourself.
Frank's advice is the next I was going to give you, get everything in writing , as tempting as it may be to try and come to any agreement etc over the phone. Keep a copy of everything you send to them too.
The posters above are incorrect to say a new greenhouse should not leak, greenhouses are not designed to be 100% leak proof as this would mean an airtight structure which is not good for plants.
A greenhouse is made of bars, brackets, nuts and bolts which are all butted up together (no seals), windows overlap bars (no seals) doors slide in channels and on wheels up against brackets/bars (no seals). Glass overlaps leaving a gap (glass does not bend), glass sits in plastic glazing strips (no seals).
Some greenhouses are better than others (usually the more expensive) but none of the mainstream greenhouse manufacturers will guarantee their greenhouses leak proof...most will say you can seal with silicone and even this does not guarantee anything.
If you want a leak proof building buy a good conservatory at 10x the price.
Not sure about thatGH, mine has rubber seals around every window pane, and down the sides, the doors slide into very thick rubber seals.I have a sample leaflet here showing all the seals and what goes where.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
Posts
No, there shouldn't be water ingress.The point of a greenhouse is to be a controlled environment, with minimal uncontrolled air ingress and no water ingress. To tell you otherwise is chancing their arms. Did they follow the instructions? Are the panes tight against the seals? Are the seals intact along the full length of their seatings? When fitting the seals did they stretch them on?
Hi Jones567, if the company won't do anything I would do one of two things either tell them to come and get it and refund me or take it further.
Do you have a spirit level? Check it's plumb square and level.
Get everything in writing, state in your letter that you wish all correspondence in writing and don't answer the telephone to them. If they say they will repair it advise you will not sign anything until you have tested it with a sprinkler to your satisfaction.
When receiving goods of any sort including installations such as greenhouses, kitchens, bathrooms one should always sign "Received, not inspected" or "Received, pending inspection" alongside your signature.
They usually try and get people to hastily sign off as "completely satisfied" by pointing out positive aspects of the installation at closure and saying they won't take up any more of the customer's valuable time ...then legging it before one finds the corners they've cut.
Plumb , level and square is a two edged sword, rarely is the base absolutely true.
seal where you can with silicone, don't let it spoil your enjoyment, in my experience most greenhouses leak to some extent.
It's a new greenhouse, OP shouldn't have to seal it with silicone.
I have always understood that to try and repair a fault on something in particular that is still under guarentee is not a good idea, as it deems your guarantee to then become voide.
This then gives The company the right to refuse the fault is theirs as the product has been tampered with and you could have caused the problem yourself.
Frank's advice is the next I was going to give you, get everything in writing , as tempting as it may be to try and come to any agreement etc over the phone. Keep a copy of everything you send to them too.
Let us know what happens please.
The posters above are incorrect to say a new greenhouse should not leak, greenhouses are not designed to be 100% leak proof as this would mean an airtight structure which is not good for plants.
A greenhouse is made of bars, brackets, nuts and bolts which are all butted up together (no seals), windows overlap bars (no seals) doors slide in channels and on wheels up against brackets/bars (no seals). Glass overlaps leaving a gap (glass does not bend), glass sits in plastic glazing strips (no seals).
Some greenhouses are better than others (usually the more expensive) but none of the mainstream greenhouse manufacturers will guarantee their greenhouses leak proof...most will say you can seal with silicone and even this does not guarantee anything.
If you want a leak proof building buy a good conservatory at 10x the price.
I am in the trade.
double post
Not sure about thatGH, mine has rubber seals around every window pane, and down the sides, the doors slide into very thick rubber seals.I have a sample leaflet here showing all the seals and what goes where.
Mine too Lyn. Rubber seals slotted into the frame so the glass didn't sit directly on the metal. It didn't leak unless you left the door open.
It stood for over 30 years but has now been replaced by a lovely polytunnel.