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1930s Front Door and Window

Joined
12 Feb 2021
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United Kingdom
We have a crack running along the window/door frame by our front door. It has been covered with wood filler over the years, but seems to get progressively worse.
I've scraped away the filler / paint to see if it's just the window board becoming loose, but that seems to have a tongue that goes under the window.

Any advice on what the cause of this might be and how to fix it?

Door north east facing and set back in an open porch, so don't think it would be damp causing the board to swell.
 

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You have a window sill that is just supported by a single post up against the front door frame. Essentially, your problem is that the sill and supporting post can pull away from the "wall", because they aren't attached to it very securely. So, wood filler alone in the gap won't solve it. The sill and the supporting post need to be attached to the "wall" more securely first, then you can fill it.
 
You have a window sill that is just supported by a single post up against the front door frame. Essentially, your problem is that the sill and supporting post can pull away from the "wall", because they aren't attached to it very securely. So, wood filler alone in the gap won't solve it. The sill and the supporting post need to be attached to the "wall" more securely first, then you can fill it.
Thanks! So you reckon it is just the inner window sill and post that have moved inwards from the wall/door frame? How would I move these back so they are flush with the frame before fixing them to the wall? They are not "loose" - if I bang against it the whole window frame shakes.
 
I notice your window is cracked. Check that you don't have any water ingress issues into the area.

Maybe get a spirit level out just for interest to see what's vertical. Is your door frame vertical, or is the post vertical?

Anyway, the support post needs to be attached securely to the wall. Others will be able to better advise than me, but my thoughts would be strong adhesive, or better, using screws through the supporting post to attach it to the door frame. However, I'd wait for some further replies on this.

Hope that helps.
 
I notice your window is cracked. Check that you don't have any water ingress issues into the area.

Maybe get a spirit level out just for interest to see what's vertical. Is your door frame vertical, or is the post vertical?

Anyway, the support post needs to be attached securely to the wall. Others will be able to better advise than me, but my thoughts would be strong adhesive, or better, using screws through the supporting post to attach it to the door frame. However, I'd wait for some further replies on this.

Hope that helps.
It is cracked but as I mentioned it's in a porch and faces away from the prevailing wind direction, so doesn't get wet
 

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