Automotive waterproofing

Apple Auto Glass Burlington location has specialized in water leaks since we opened in 1984. This service developed because so many customers came to us with what they thought was a windshield leak. In trying to prove it was not led to us learning how to diagnose and correct most water leaks. This is service that we do for car dealers and the general public.

Alert

Water entering your car can damage electrical components. It is your responsibility to have this problem solved before damage has been done.

This damage can include the vehicle airbags going off. Please drop by the shop when it is raining so that we can see the problem first hand.

	The time to diagnose a water leak is when it is raining out. Trying to replicate the leak with a hose is wasteful in water and time.
	Out of a dozen models of vehicles some will leak at the same place every time. Unfortunately this does not occur often enough.
	The key to correcting a water leak is not necessarily in prior knowledge but in keeping an open mind.
	Unlike the human body where your organs are pretty much in the same place as the next person your car is very unique. The problems you may have with a water leak and the leak may only occur with your own vehicle. This can be time consuming to diagnose as we very seldom can we use an off the rack cure.
	Vehicles that are over ten years old may be rusted beyond repair. You can witness this yourself by opening the hood of your car and inspected the firewall with a keen eye. Do this on a hoist for an even better view. Every seam is a potential problem. Rust proofing this area with a thick wax oil coating even after the fact can help. (I call this cancer of the car)

More...

	Water pools in the rear floor area without exception because it is the lowest point in your car.
	Inspect your trunk, especially the spare tire area after a heavy rain much as you would inspect your downspouts on your house. You can also slide your hand under the rear seat.
	Electrical components including speaker amps and airbag controllers may be under the passenger seat.
	Do not leave rubber floor mats on top of wet carpet.
	Water leaks that appear at the top of the windshield are usually the windshield and this can be repaired by taking the glass out and resetting.

List of possibilities...Each one of these listed could present as water on the floor.

	Firewall seam rusted or open (also wires may have been run for stereo) (water onto floor)
	Cowl not deflecting water from air stack (water into heating system and or dripping onto mat)
	Cowl not draining due to blockage ( water into heating system and or dripping onto mat)
	Air stack rusted (water on floor)
	Windshield seal failed or rusted pinch-weld (water in center light and on floor and /or at top of glass)
	Sunroof seal allowing excess water into drainage system (headliner and or floor and or trunk)
	Sunroof drain hose is kinked (headliner and or floor and or trunk)
	Sunroof drains plugged (uncommon but very common to certain cars)
	Taillight seal broken (would also show water in trunk)
	Door panel seal broken possibly from speaker installation (water on floor)
	Third brake light on pickup trucks (water on floor)
	Rocker panels not draining (sloshing sound when braking)

If you are boggled down with all this information then I am sure you will appreciate what we are experiencing when we go exploring for a water leak on your vehicle! Martin

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