Damp patch at side of new PVC window

CouponWoman

We had a new PVC window fitted a few weeks ago in the lounge. At first we thought all was well with it. Then it rained.

The window looks fine, but after a bit of rain we got a damp patch on the inside plaster. The damp is 2 maybe 3 inch wide patch and about 15 inches long (so far) and is against the frame.

There's no sign of running water. We can't see any break in the sealant on the outside. The builder came back and put a bit of extra sealant on but its not helped at all.

The damp is not at the top of the frame but starts about 3/4 the way down on one side.

I need to call the builder again but he was completely puzzled as to what can be causing it.

We have had to cancel the decorator as he couldnt come back and finish around the window and its really got to me now.

Has anyone got an ideas as to what it could be,

Tia xx

DHFrames

Is the damp patches on the plaster in the corners where the window sits on the sill? If so the fitter hasn't applied silicone along the sill first before the window sits on it. By doing this it stops any rain driving in between the sill and window and making its way to the end which will then penetrate through the plaster

CouponWoman

DHFrames wrote: »

Is the damp patches on the plaster in the corners where the window sits on the sill? If so the fitter hasn't applied silicone along the sill first before the window sits on it. By doing this it stops any rain driving in between the sill and window and making its way to the end which will then penetrate through the plaster

Thanks for replying.
The damp is not in the corner of the frame.

It starts about 10 inches above the window sill and is a longish narrow (around 2 maybe 3 inches wide) patch of damp plaster. Its over a foot long patch and its at the side of the frame. The patch got a lot bigger as its rained overnight.

Any ideas what it could be ?

thanks
xx

missprice

Could you take a pic or several, inside and outside the window. It may help.

CouponWoman

missprice wrote: »

Could you take a pic or several, inside and outside the window. It may help.

Will try and get a pic, my son has a camera but he has just had an operation so its hard to walk atm.

Thanks guys

xx

Chunks

If you didn't have a damp issue before, it most probably indicates an issue with the sealant around the new unit. I would again have a very close look around the whole unit to determine a possible source. During installation brickwork/pointing may have been damaged, any signs of an issue there?

CouponWoman

CouponWoman

If you look at the bottom of the plaster there is a stain, thats just a long standing mark and not damp.

The pointing was done a few months ago so its not that.

Any advice/help would be appreciated.

tia xx

CouponWoman

Can any of your knowledgeable guys advise me please

tia xx

Lobsta

We had/have the same issue. It turned out that the windows werent sealed properly, the company came out, stripped the old stuff and resealed and rerendered (our whole house is rendered). It reduced the problem but didnt solve it so we are working our way around the house stripping the plaster off and sealing from the inside - we basically had cowboy fitters, who we found out were since sacked.

I hope they get to the bottom of it for you as we are still trying to sort ours 5 years later!

CouponWoman

Lobsta wrote: »

We had/have the same issue. It turned out that the windows werent sealed properly, the company came out, stripped the old stuff and resealed and rerendered (our whole house is rendered). It reduced the problem but didnt solve it so we are working our way around the house stripping the plaster off and sealing from the inside - we basically had cowboy fitters, who we found out were since sacked.

I hope they get to the bottom of it for you as we are still trying to sort ours 5 years later!

the thought of putting up with this for years fills me with total dread.:eek:don't know how you put up with it for so long.

xx