Help! decorating disaster - big gap under window

kb1977

We're in the middle of decorating and pulled off the wallpaper under the bay window and the plaster can away with it - to reveal a huge gap about 2 inches all along the base of the windowsill - basicaly imagine the row of bricks end, then the gap, then a length of wood and the bay windowsill is on top of that. It doesn't look like the window is properly supported at all. To top it off the radiator is on this wall too

Who do I call out to fix this? A builder? Or a plasterer? Normally I'd go straight for the plasterer but I realise the gap might be dangerous if the window isn't being supported correctly. Plus how much will a plumber charge to come and take the radiator off while it's fixed?

Please help I'm worried this will be really expensive!

anthonykeates

How long's the window been there - in other words if its a long time then if it was going to collapse then it probably would have done by now? The weight of the wall above the window I imagine will be supported by lintels - ie windows themselves are not usually structural.

Sounds like you might need the advice of a builder to set your mind at ease and let you know whether anything needs doing other than just filling in the gap.

Re the radiator, it's fairly straight forward to temporarily remove a radiator - just need to ensure the valves are shut to isolate the water flow from the boiler and then tip the excess water out the radiator. Depends on how confident you are at DIY! Do a google search to find out how to disconnect the rad and see what you think.

robv_3

unless the windows are structure it makes no difference if the are supported at the bottom

jimmyG_3

depending on were the window is it may need resealing -i have seen many people get a tin of expanding foam cutting off the exess and papering over?

27col

This is not a disaster as you call it. It is just a minor set back. All you need do is to buy a bag of mortar mix from Wickes or one of the other sheds. Get a trowel and fill the space. When it is almost up to the wall surface level, flush it off in the same way that you would if you had a hole in the plaster anywhere else. The window will have been fixed to the wall in some way when it was installed. If there is no sign of looseness with the hole evident, there will be no looseness when the hole is plastered up. Let the mortar mix set for a day before applying the surface skim. It is unlikely that any plasterer or builder would be interested in such a small job.