Have a look....

cd02

Hi.

I know i asked for some help recently but now i'm desperate.

Right, I rent a flat and need to do something about the coldness and other minor things. I've attached some photos and if you can offer any advice, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Firstly, the front door...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/MrSmith2004/Flat/IMAG0056.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/MrSmith2004/Flat/IMAG0054.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/MrSmith2004/Flat/IMAG0053.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/MrSmith2004/Flat/IMAG0047.jpg

As you can see, there is a gap between the door and the frame and then the frame and the wall. How would be the best way to seal these gaps and stop the draft ??

Secondly, the windows...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/MrSmith2004/Flat/IMAG0057.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/MrSmith2004/Flat/IMAG0051.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/MrSmith2004/Flat/IMAG0050.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/MrSmith2004/Flat/IMAG0048.jpg

As you can see, firstly, the catch on one of the windows doesn't shut, is there any easy way to fix this ? Also, as you'll see from the outside, the window doesn't fully shut. Is there any way of sealing this ? Lastly, anyway of stopping the paint pealing from the metal frames ?

Then there's the ceiling in the lounge...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/MrSmith2004/Flat/IMAG0059.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/MrSmith2004/Flat/IMAG0060.jpg

Not sure if you'll see this in these photos but when putting up the xmas decorations, the ceiling in the lounge lifted up and theres cracks most the way round. Is this something I should be worried about ?

Well, as I siad, I'd appeciate any help/advice/anything else.. PLEASE... I'm getting very desperate now and very cold.....

vansboy

The pics are'nt totally clear, but it looks to me that you certainly need to get everything cleaned up, before trying anything else.

You could spend a fortune on damp/mould cleaners/removers, but lots hot water & soda crystals or Cif or washing up liquid, would be fine. Then wipe over with the cleaned areas with bleach, to kill most other petential mould.

The gaps around the openings, should be OK, if you used silicone sealers, buy the cartridges that fit into a gun (gun only a couple £$£).

The closing of steel windows, is usually due to lots build up of dirt, or too many coats paint. Again cleaning off, would help. Sometimes the frames, might have bent/been forced & won't close. Don't try & bend back, else you'lll have glass to replace!!
Try spraying the higes & locks/catches with WD40 & letting it soak in, overnite - they/ll maybe OK the next day.

To keep the condensation off the walls, try some strips of Spontex type cloths cut into strips & lay on the window sill. You'll need to replace these, once in a while, else they'll stink. But should soak up the moisture.

& keeping a window open, securely, slightly, will help air move around & ventilate the place better.

VB

hardpressed

It does look grim, as it's rented have you spoken to you landlord? At least he should get the windows fixed. Would you be allowed to hang a heavy curtain over the front door and thick curtains at the windows would help. Have a look in the charity shops they often have good lined curtains, that should save a lot of draughts. If you don't need to open the windows you could stick polythene over them using double sided sticky tape. The gap between the door frame and the wall, try stuffing with torn up newspaper till it's nearly flush with the wall then finish off with polyfiller. The pictures look as it the landlord needs to get his act together. Good Luck.

cd02

thanks for the comments ppl.. i've spoken to the landlord but they've been promising to fix the windows now the 6 months.. and still nothing.. i'll have to see what i can do myself me thinks..