OverEZ coop update: nesting boxes leaking--ugh

[llcardinale]

Hello All,
I continue to post regarding my purchase of the OverEZ Walk-in coop for anyone considering the purchase of one. I've previously posted on many problems with this coop, so I won't address these again. Two nights ago we had a jet stream rain, so it wasn't just a little rain, but I would expect that a coop at this level of cost wouldn't leak. My three month old eight pullets have been sleeping in their nesting boxes, so I was horrified when I checked the boxes in the morning to find the bedding soaked and pools of water at the bottom (which I've lined with food grade silicone, so it didn't soak through to the bottom of the box).

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

If you want to fix it, screwing in a layer of soft acrylic sheet to on top of the nesting beds' hinges will work as a permanent solution. It should be bend-able, but get a thicker kind. I crudely drew something to try to demonstrate what I mean.

the blue-purple shows how the acrylic should sit, bent in-between being flat against the side of the coop and the roof of the nesting boxes. The pink is supposed to be where you screw it in to the coop.

Online it shows a lot of "film" versions of flexible acrylic but these are too thin and won't do you good. 1/8 in thick would be what you need.

This should not make it difficult to open the nesting boxes.

 

[llcardinale]

If you want to fix it, screwing in a layer of soft acrylic sheet to on top of the nesting beds' hinges will work as a permanent solution. It should be bend-able, but get a thicker kind. I crudely drew something to try to demonstrate what I mean. View attachment 4225732
the blue-purple shows how the acrylic should sit, bent in-between being flat against the side of the coop and the roof of the nesting boxes. The pink is supposed to be where you screw it in to the coop.

Online it shows a lot of "film" versions of flexible acrylic but these are too thin and won't do you good. 1/8 in thick would be what you need.

This should not make it difficult to open the nesting boxes.

Thank you so much for your suggestions I looked up the LP SmartSiding recommendations and they suggest 3M All Weather Flashing Tape, so tomorrow I'm going to remove the hinges and apply the flashing, then replace the hinges. If this doesn't work, I'll move on to your suggestion, which makes good sense. It's good to have another option if the flashing doesn't work. I'm going to go ahead and send for the acrylic so I'll have it just in case. Again, thank you so much for taking the time to respond, and with such a detailed and informative suggestion.

 

[llcardinale]

If you want to fix it, screwing in a layer of soft acrylic sheet to on top of the nesting beds' hinges will work as a permanent solution. It should be bend-able, but get a thicker kind. I crudely drew something to try to demonstrate what I mean. View attachment 4225732
the blue-purple shows how the acrylic should sit, bent in-between being flat against the side of the coop and the roof of the nesting boxes. The pink is supposed to be where you screw it in to the coop.

Online it shows a lot of "film" versions of flexible acrylic but these are too thin and won't do you good. 1/8 in thick would be what you need.

This should not make it difficult to open the nesting boxes.

I was going to take your suggestion in addition to using 3M flashing, but then I began to wonder if you have any info on how using acrylic (or polycarbonate) sheeting would stop water from simply going under the sheeting unless you were to use a strong waterproof adhesive along with screwing in down.

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

I was going to take your suggestion in addition to using 3M flashing, but then I began to wonder if you have any info on how using acrylic (or polycarbonate) sheeting would stop water from simply going under the sheeting unless you were to use a strong waterproof adhesive along with screwing in down.

I've not found the need to use adhesive because the pressure of it wanting to be straight. If you want extra security, you could use adhesive. I've sprayed the coop down with the "jet stream" mode to get off pollen on the roof and there wasn't water inside afterwards. What I have found important is sweeping off the roof if it is wet, because opening that door will force water under the acrylic as it slightly delays in returning to the closed position.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I was going to take your suggestion in addition to using 3M flashing, but then I began to wonder if you have any info on how using acrylic (or polycarbonate) sheeting would stop water from simply going under the sheeting unless you were to use a strong waterproof adhesive along with screwing in down.

The way I'd stop water getting under it would be to screw a strip of wood (maybe 3/4" thick and 1-1/2" wide) over the top and use caulking to stop water from running behind it. I've done that in other applications.

 

[Sefirothe]

What @Ridgerunner said. I used a replacement strip for a doorway that has plastic strips (think like industrial food manufacturing or maybe a butcher shop door?) as it was the perfect width and length for my nest box. I stapled down a small piece of wood trim (painted black to match the existing trim) over the edge of the plastic at the top.

We also get sideways wind and the nest box side of the shed faces the prevailing wind (boy do I wish I asked them to put the nest box on the opposite wall where it would have been covered by the run roof). Water was running down the grooves in the shed siding and getting behind the trim so I ran caulk up along there to block it.

Some water is still getting in somehow when there are really heavy storms but I can’t for the life of me figure out how at this point.


This pic is pre-wood trim placed at the top just above the screws and pre-caulk. I’ll have to get a better pic one of these days.

 

[SamLockwood]

Hello All,
I continue to post regarding my purchase of the OverEZ Walk-in coop for anyone considering the purchase of one. I've previously posted on many problems with this coop, so I won't address these again. Two nights ago we had a jet stream rain, so it wasn't just a little rain, but I would expect that a coop at this level of cost wouldn't leak. My three month old eight pullets have been sleeping in their nesting boxes, so I was horrified when I checked the boxes in the morning to find the bedding soaked and pools of water at the bottom (which I've lined with food grade silicone, so it didn't soak through to the bottom of the box).

I'm glad when I built my coops I put the nesting box doors on the sides instead of the top. My main worry was the birds freaking out from the sudden movement above them, but I can see where water leakage would be a problem with that design, too.