I would try to get something in there like the dental tool and loosen it. Maybe brake it up into small pieces shop vac'ing with a crevice nozzle at the same time. If that doesn't do it, at least if you could drill some holes in the foam with a long bit to make channels, that could work as well. I think sill pans are most critical with brick veneer and stucco exteriors, probably not so much with lap sidings. If your windows are flashed properly, you might be okay unless you have brick or stucco, then you definetely need a place for moisture and water to channel out over the sill pan.

There is miss information every where online. Mistakes in cross sections and install advice easily found online. Differences of opinions around North America depending on whats used locally and what's viewed to be the best vary depending on the posters expierence and prior training. I have been doing research. I had Bob Weins from Schulter at my house - on my deck and asked him the best install. I called Dave from Custom Building Products as well. Surprise surprise I got two different opinions. You (Antss) yourself suggested I call the tech departments - I did. These men and their companies position themselves for market share - each feels their products are the best. How do they install? Best to ask the solidiers who do it every day I think. Is it wrong to discuss new ideas? Should we all just quote specs? If you read everything blindly and follow all the rules - who pays if it goes South? I have found mistakes online and have contacted the companies directly about their over sights - I'm working with two of them as we speak on revisions for their installation guidelines and specs. What if I just followed their advice? What if their advice is wrong? Internet advice is hit and miss. I have found and studied most of the top internet posters advice online and there is among these men differences in opinions - items for debate. I do not think of myself as "The Next Mike Holmes" and do not think I'm smarter than the engineers at these respective companies. But why do they keep talking to me? Why do they send me drains for testing? Why is it that one drain company all ready started working on new drawings? I know - I started the ball rolling... I want to discuss these points online. I think people enjoy reading about their options and hearing from Contractors who actually get paid to install these products. I don't like change and need to understand the science on a new product and then test it before I own the install. Ditra has been around for half my life. I have been installing it for more than 7 years. Why are the install specs slightly different in the UK than North America? Makes me wonder... I seek and crave knowledge. I love what I do. I'm am trying to be the best! I have not build many exterior decks. I am educating myself on the finer points of exterior deck construction and have always seek'd out the best advice online. My own drawings where approved from the District of North Vancouver for my home renovation. Why is it that the framing spec'd for my decks construction would fail a deflection calculation for exterior stone? Why is that? Code is code but this code many times is not good enough by my standard, Mongo's, Bill's and Mike's... Why can't we all build better. Why do we have to build the same way all the time. I have been teasing Mongo that I can't find out any information on him - but reading his posts for over a year I know he knows his stuff. Bill and I have battled online and yet he still offers me help. This shows his character and the simple fact that he tells me that he does not care what the techs tell me and that he uses this and that and this is the best way to do it - is exactly the type of "Solider Advice" "Solid Advice" I'm seeking. I bet Bill and Mongo have seen between them hundreds of exterior decks over living space. I build fireplaces and bathrooms. i am not a spec builder or custom builder. I'm a small fish in the Bathroom Fireplace renovation game. I have never built a home, a large addition or any project over $250,000 to date. Now I'm building my "Palace" "My Castle" "My kids home". Is it wrong to want the best for them? Is it wrong to seek opinions and advice from seasoned pro's? is it my fault that someone reading this thread does not do their own home work? I take my advice my spec sheets and I go to city hall - I ask my inspectors is this OK. Sometimes they say No and sometimes they say Yes. Most times they say "yes" if it is installed as per factory spec. I'm returning my CBU and installing more plywood. I have used Ditra in 95% of my projects and am sold 100 percent on the uncoupling properties of Ditra. I read in Fine Homebuilding years back about a builder in Chiacgo who switched to Ditra and his call backs went from 15% down to 1% in regards to tile installs. I was like wow! I researched Ditra. I paid for training. I talk to Bob from Schulter 2-10 times a year and have every year. Bob is a great guy. So is Dave. These men help me but I cross check their info with you men online. I have never had a callback since I switched to Ditra and started complete waterproofing of my projects. Not one call back in over 6 years! This is my process. If you want me to write these ideas in a new section of this site please suggest one for me. If you have a disclaimer you would like me to add to every post in this "Gray" area please forward it to me to attached to my posts. If you are so confident of your abilities and your finished projects please post some of your work for us to see. I know I would respect your advice more if I could view your work shots and know for sure that you are in the trades and can offer me first hand expeirence. Perhaps you can offer me some insight into my channel drain installations. Perhaps you would like to test one of these babies for me? I will stick my neck on the line and offer up my insight - I have a thick neck and am not afraid of looking foolish online (this I have proven I think in the past time and time again). I am far from perfect but strive to be the best in the industry. I produce job after job of 5 star finished projects. My home will be my best work. I'm looking for help - I'm looking for knowledge - I'm looking forward. Things should be built better, stronger, greener. This is something we can all do. Something we can all do better.

>>The CFP designation is not something that impresses me, does it mean something to you? The test is reputed to be easy and their standards are not too high. >> Just curious - you know this...how? I worked for an independent CFP and people sweated bullets to pass the exam. On average 50% or more fail every year. Even if you pass it, you can't call yourself a CFP until you have three years of approved financial industry experience. >>I did jump to a conclusion because I've seen so very many instances of what I suggested, "experts" recommending something that they receive a commission for selling. That was really my point. Are you saying that that isn't so?>> Yes, and you were wrong. It's clear to all you jumped the gun and didn't bother to look at the link. I am perfectly willing to applaud you for being a CPA, but no one should be discouraging others who may desperately need this kind of basic planning info. I'm sure you'd agree with that premise, at least. Many people are at a loss when faced with the issue of LTC for elderly relatives. They have no idea where to turn, who to turn to, or what kinds of questions they should be asking. As sushipup points out Medicaid never pays for Asst. Living, only for full-service nursing care. So many people - here and on other forums - don't even know the difference between Medicaid and Medicare. Planning for LTC means being aware of all the scenarios possible and mitigating personal/financial risk by whatever combination of resources available to you. Everyone's situation is individual, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution, especially with the US hodge-podge of eldercare services, mostly unregulated. Knowledge is not just everyone's friend, it's also our responsibility. We're lucky, we only have to worry about one elder parent as the other three have passed away already. As I stated above, we've already done our eldercare planning: not easy or cheap, but as necessary as having our legal docs done.

Thank you, Brushworks! I'll read that link shortly. btw, I am aware that condensation is a result of high humidity in our home. The only time I ever noticed any condensation on our windows was when I boiled a pot of water without turning the vent on. Other than that, we haven't had an issue with it in our 21 yr old home. I was hoping to determine whether switching to new low-E windows would change that. I'm also going to call an energy expert at Energy Trust of Oregon.