Small Cracks Above/Below Recently Installed Windows

dixiemoo

Hi, I have a thread on the Credit Card board about a Section 75 claim for a window replacement job where the company has gone bust, but I was wondering whether someone here could advise whether cracks in the wall are anything to worry about.

They are hairline cracks about 30cm long and are on the top left and bottom right of the window (when viewed from inside). These only appeared after the new windows were put in.

The windows are uPVC and should have a steel core inside the frame. The frame is secured to the building by large screws (with a star shaped head) on the edge of the frame that go into the wall.

I am trying to find someone to do an independent report, but may have to just settle for another window company to do it. I was just wondering in the meantime whether anyone can suggest whether the cracks are anything to worry about or whether they may be a sign of further issues?

Thanks

thebaldwindowfitter

are these cracks on the frame itself and near the welds

dixiemoo

thebaldwindowfitter wrote: »

are these cracks on the frame itself and near the welds

The cracks are on the internal walls, not the actual window frames.

There is a crack on one of the frames along a weld but that's a separate issue and will be picked up by whoever comes round to look at the whole job.

Just want to make sure the internal wall cracks aren't a sign of (potentially) something serious. If whoever does the report misses it out and a problem comes to light later, the credit card company will tell me to get lost!

tanith

Are these cracks between the wall and the window or actually the wall itself that is cracked? If its between the wall and window maybe the sealing wasn't done properly and it simply needs resealing where the cracks have appeared caused by the windows settling. If its the brickwork thats cracking then thats a whole other story..

dixiemoo

tanith wrote: »

Are these cracks between the wall and the window or actually the wall itself that is cracked? If its between the wall and window maybe the sealing wasn't done properly and it simply needs resealing where the cracks have appeared caused by the windows settling. If its the brickwork thats cracking then thats a whole other story..

Some of the sealant around the internal edge of the frames has separated from the wall but this can probably be easily solved with a sealant gun.

The cracks are on the internal wall, at the edge of the aperture in the wall where the window goes.

The upper crack starts next to the left edge of the curtain rail and goes directly upwards about 30 cm. But I don't know what's causing it or whether it's serious (please don't let it be serious...)

Same for the lower crack - it starts more or less at the right edge of the window sill and goes directly down, it stops just as it reaches the radiator that is under the window.

tanith

Difficult to tell without actually seeing but we had a few plaster cracks when our new windows were fitted , which was caused when they removed the old windows a few lumps of plaster in the corners broke away completely but the fitters repaired and replastered the obvious damage but I did notice a few hairline cracks they missed and managed to repair and repaint them myself.. hopefully yours are just plaster cracks and don't continue into the brickwork..

Fire_Fox

You can't ensure these cracks are nothing serious by posting a description on on forum full of amateurs, you need a professional to look at what what has occurred, installed and how.

If you replaced traditional wooden windows did you have new lintels put in? You might consider speaking with your buildings insurer if there is any chance the windows were not properly supported, the whole wall is at risk if not and this is ignored.
.https://consultations.rics.org/consult.ti/subsidence/view?objectId=871348
http://theconstructor.org/concrete/cracking-in-walls/1464/

ETA it's more than cracking, on your other thread you say
"There are some faults that need fixing, e.g. door is letting cold air through and a couple of the windows seem to have dropped a bit"

dixiemoo

Fire_Fox wrote: »

You can't ensure these cracks are nothing serious by posting a description on on forum full of amateurs, you need a professional to look at what what has occurred, installed and how.

ETA it's more than cracking, on your other thread you say
"There are some faults that need fixing, e.g. door is letting cold air through and a couple of the windows seem to have dropped a bit"

Thanks for that and the links. haven't seen any triangular cracks but will look at the outside of the property tomorrow in case there's anything on the outer walls.

I guess the question I'm asking is, what kind of specialist should I be looking for? A building surveyor?

If I get another window company to do the report, I'm sure they could sort the issues with the doors/windows themselves but I'm not sure whether they'd be able or qualified to recognise the actual cause of the cracks.

macman

Just hack off a bit of plaster to establish if the cracks are in the masonry or not. You can do that yourself in 5 minutes. If not, nothing to worry about, just fill them.