If you've ever noticed a little water where it shouldn't be near a window and wondered, “Wait, is this covered under warranty?” — you're not alone. It's one of the most common questions we hear from homeowners, and it's exactly what we're tackling in this episode of our warranty Q&A series.
Below, we've broken down the three biggest questions homeowners ask us about their Milgard window warranty, straight from the video above. Watch the full conversation, or use this post as a quick reference.
“My window is leaking. Is that covered by my warranty?”
Here's the good news: if you have a quality window like Milgard, the window itself is rarely the culprit. In most cases, what looks like a leaking window is actually an installation issue — think cracked caulking or a window that wasn't seated correctly during a new construction or retrofit install.
There's one common exception worth knowing about: weep holes. These small openings at the base of your window let water drain out from behind the frame. If they get clogged with dust, dirt, or debris over time, water can back up and make it look like the window itself is leaking — even though the window is doing exactly what it's designed to do.
Bottom line: if you spot a leak, don't wait. Reach out to your installer right away so the real cause can be identified and fixed.
“What could void my Milgard warranty?”
A few everyday habits can accidentally put your warranty at risk:
- Painting your vinyl windows — this can void your warranty outright.
- Adding tint or film to the inside or outside of your window can void your fogging warranty specifically.
- Improper use that causes damage to the window.
- Skipping maintenance — especially not clearing out those weep holes we mentioned above. Left unchecked long enough, clogged weep holes can cause a leak that won't be covered.
Milgard windows come with a lifetime warranty, but “lifetime” comes with an asterisk: it assumes normal use and reasonable upkeep for as long as you own the home.
“I have a warranty issue — how do I file a claim?”
Filing a claim is straightforward, and you've got a few options:
- Call us. If we installed your windows, we're happy to help you through the claims process.
- Call Milgard directly at 1-800-MILLGUARD.
- File online at milgard.com/service-request.
To speed things along, have the following ready:
- Your name and address
- Your sales order number
- The line item number
- Photos of the issue
- Measurements (if you don't have your order info handy, this helps narrow down which window is affected)
- A description of the problem
Not sure where to find your sales order or line item number? We've got a dedicated video walking through exactly where to look — search our YouTube channel for “where to find my sales order” and you'll find it.
The takeaway
Most warranty questions come down to two things: understanding what's actually covered (usually not the window itself, but the installation and maintenance around it) and knowing where to look when you need help. A little upkeep — like keeping those weep holes clear — goes a long way toward making sure your lifetime warranty stays exactly that.
Have a warranty question we didn't cover? Reach out >>
