Maintaining My Home

contact the window installer/supplier. If there was a fault in the materials, manufacture or installation and the window failed early in its expected serviceable life, ask for a repair/replacement (see repair below for more details)

if a window is beyond its serviceable life it should be replaced. The product must be suitable for the location (especially wind conditions), ensure water cannot be trapped in the glazing rebate and the edge seal is protected from UV light

work only with well experienced glaziers and builders. Problems with double glazing are commonly the result of faulty installation

DIY repairs such as drilling a hole into the gap between the panes of glass to let moisture escape do not provide a satisfactory long-term solution

contact the window installer/supplier. If there was a fault in the materials, manufacture or installation and the glazing failed early in its expected serviceable life, ask for a repair/replacement

consumer protection laws apply regardless of whether or not you can claim under warranty

under the Building Act, from the date that building work is complete there is an automatic 12-month period for the client to identify defective work. The contractor must remedy, within a reasonable timeframe, any defects notified by the client in writing. This applies to all building work regardless of value

if building materials turn out to be faulty, the contractor must replace them. If the contractor disputes the defects, it is up to them to prove that the defect wasn’t their fault or the fault of their subcontractors

homeowners can also take action for up to 10 years after building work is completed if implied warranties set out in the Building Act have not been met. This applies whether or not there is a written contract or what the contract says. An owner of the building affected by a breach of warranty can take action even if they were not a party to the original contract