Damp through window ?Render crack the cause

davilown

After the wonderful rain of the last few weeks, We've noticed that the plaster on both sides of an large upstairs window is very damp and now going mouldy.

The window is about 2m wide and 1.2m high. on the outside it has render to the base and both sides. Above, there is a tiled area up to the roof line. The is no guttering above (roof apex is above).

The rendering to the sides has a horizontal crack running the length of the house, those doesn't 'look' like its blown underneath. The crack runs level with the top of the window.

I've looked at the area as best I can - the window seems to be sealed well and there is no other damage/holes in the tiles. The only other problem I have of note is that underneath the window is a flat roof of the utility room which has just developed a damp patch - this is in the corner of the room, nearest the house wall and end of the flat roof.

Is it best to get someone in, or should I try a repair of the cracks and wait for dryer weather in the summer. The render on the house is in very good condition - theses are the only cracks that I can see.

What prices should I be looking at?

Many thanks in advance

davilown

Anyone please

Tucker

It's not easy to repair render. Generally it needs taking off and re-doing.

Mine cracked on the bay window and it doesn't take much for water to get behind it. I had it re-done. The marine ply behind it was saturated, so it may well be the cause of your problems.

Cost depends on how much of it is and if it's a smooth finish of has a tyrolean finish, which if I recall is applied after the render has dried out.

davilown

Tucker wrote: »

It's not easy to repair render. Generally it needs taking off and re-doing.

Mine cracked on the bay window and it doesn't take much for water to get behind it. I had it re-done. The marine ply behind it was saturated, so it may well be the cause of your problems.

Cost depends on how much of it is and if it's a smooth finish of has a tyrolean finish, which if I recall is applied after the render has dried out.

No its not a smooth of tyrolean finish - thanks for the response.

Plasterer

Without seeing it, it is difficult to determin how much of the render will need to come off. Get a local plasterer to take a look at it to determin the next step. Whatever you do make sure the "plasterer" is a plasterer and not just a "skimmer" calling himself a plasterer.
An experienced plasterer can make a repair look seemless, an inexperienced plasterer can make it look like a dogs dinner.

If it is the case that it just neeeds repairing get it done sooner rather than later (weather pending) if not it will get worse and you could end up replacing the whole side of your house.

bevhousehastings

Ah, I think this is a similar problem to ours - we've had 'damp' issues around our bay windows both upstairs and downstairs for a couple of years - since we bought this house. At first we thought it was cracks in the window sills/windows etc which we fixed. Then maybe that it was just condensation staying around.
Now I think it must be the render, and to add to it a friend had a look and thinks the water is dripping straight down in to the window frames with none being funnelled off. Of course to make it worse we live at the seaside, and with yesterdays storm lots of rain got in.
So first step would be quote from a builder, or a plasterer or both?
And, when we get the render etc fixed we are still going to have to get new windows as the frames are rotten and soaked through. Where do you get windows from reputably? I'm understandably dubious about all those double glazing companies that advertise as you hear so many horror stories.
Crikey, long post and breathe...

Tucker

Once repaired, give it several coats of a good quality masonry paint, such as dulux weathershield to protect it.

davilown

Many thanks gents, will get on to it later today..

Now, just the flat roof to see to.............. Maybe a bit of bitumen?