Noise from windows when windy

peter021072

My window makes a loud horn type noise when the wind gusts, which results in lost sleep. Alas, we are due for three windy nights if the forecast is correct. 

I've two questions.

who's the best outfit to fix this, the original company who fitted them or a specialist in sealing windows? 

is there any quick temporary fix I could use, such as taping over the window cracks? 

(I've tried this from the inside, and it doesn't work)

I'm not even sure if it's air coming in or out. I've fitted put some stick it notes over the potential leak areas to see which one flaps, but there's no movement, no perceivable draught and no obvious leak, just a very loud noise when the gust goes over 30mph

I've been trying to find exactly where the noise is coming from for some years now, but all I can tell is that it seems to come from the top of the window assembly.  I assume it's the seal in the opening window vibrating, but it could be in the accompanying un-opening one. 

I've taken a few pictures here.  The last one is from the outside looking in (it isn't the blind because I've tried the blind in various positions, down, up, open shut, it makes no difference).  However, opening the window by a few cm stops the noise, unfortunately then it gets noisy from other sources!

Ayr_Rage

There will be a split in the caulking between the frame and the brickwork/lintel.

Check the sealing around the window, that is more likely than a failed seal on the actual window.

I've had exactly that problem.

peter021072

Ayr_Rage said:

There will be a split in the caulking between the frame and the brickwork/lintel.

Check the sealing around the window, that is more likely than a failed seal on the actual window.

I've had exactly that problem.

This is a picture of the interface between the UPVC and cement if that's what you mean. There's nothing obvious to me. I think to do that job I would need to find a tradesperson because I've not even got a ladder.   

Ayr_Rage

Whistling gaps, exactly what I had.

Bob2000

peter021072 said:

Ayr_Rage said:

There will be a split in the caulking between the frame and the brickwork/lintel.

Check the sealing around the window, that is more likely than a failed seal on the actual window.

I've had exactly that problem.

This is a picture of the interface between the UPVC and cement if that's what you mean. There's nothing obvious to me. I think to do that job I would need to find a tradesperson because I've not even got a ladder.   

I had a similar gap between my frame and mortar. I used a good quality  sealant and the noise went away.
Good luck. 

peter021072

I can see what you mean now.  The black part just above the white and below the cement isn't sealant it's a gaping hole?

John_the_Boy

One of my windows had some of the protective plastic left on which howled when the wind was in a certain direction. Took ages to work out what it was as it was only a tiny bit of clear plastic. Once removed the noise stopped. Yours looks like cracked or missing sealant.

peter021072

John_the_Boy said:

One of my windows had some of the protective plastic left on which howled when the wind was in a certain direction. Took ages to work out what it was as it was only a tiny bit of clear plastic. Once removed the noise stopped. Yours looks like cracked or missing sealant.

It looks like they forgot to put the sealant on the top of the window, because the sealant is on the other three sides, and all around the other windows. I probably can't do anything now due to the rain, and all the silicone I've got has hardened in the containers.

twopenny

Use some masking tape or if it's exposed to rain, take a strip of cling film and scrunch it lengthwise and poke into the gap with an old blunt knife/nail file with blunt end until the worst of the weather is past and you can seal it properly. Easy to get the cling film out afterwards or leave it in and seal over.

That should help you get the sleep and energy to deal with the problem

peter021072

twopenny said:

Use some masking tape or if it's exposed to rain, take a strip of cling film and scrunch it lengthwise and poke into the gap with an old blunt knife/nail file with blunt end until the worst of the weather is past and you can seal it properly. Easy to get the cling film out afterwards or leave it in and seal over.

That should help you get the sleep and energy to deal with the problem

Yeah, good MSE tip there. I thought of jamming some string/rope in it.  I think there's a brief sunny spell tomorrow to do the job.

FreeBear

peter021072 said:

twopenny said:

Use some masking tape or if it's exposed to rain, take a strip of cling film and scrunch it lengthwise and poke into the gap with an old blunt knife/nail file with blunt end until the worst of the weather is past and you can seal it properly. Easy to get the cling film out afterwards or leave it in and seal over.

That should help you get the sleep and energy to deal with the problem

Yeah, good MSE tip there. I thought of jamming some string/rope in it.  I think there's a brief sunny spell tomorrow to do the job.

Traditional material would have been oakum - A hemp rope soaked in pine tar. Once pressed in to a crack, it would then be covered with linseed putty.

A bit of string would be a modern equivalent.