crack in wall - bellow window - possibly causing draft ?

[limetea]

Hi
we had a contractor replace old window moldings in March 2011 - but he did a terrible job with it. Cracks appeared on the sides and bottom right after the job within 2-3 weeks. It was ok so far - but now i think cold air is coming through the cracks. I cant prove it - i just feel it

Also the entire area around it is very cold to touch. Whats the best way around this ? I did try caulking it once in July. Should I open the wall right bellow the window and put insulation and put the wall back? I cannot touch the wooden areas of the window -- too complex for me.

Here is the window corner.

Untitled

• limetea
• 18 Dec 2011
• 1

Thanks
Andy

 

[tim00]

I'm not sure what you mean by mouldings, if you are referring to trim then it's difficult to see how trim / mouldings could have created a crack like the one in the pic. Is the pic from the exterior or the interior? Perhaps you could post more pics int. and ext. with larger views?
The crack appears to have followed an historic line - in blockwork? Is the wall stud framed and masonry?

 

[joe-90]

Looks like a plastered over moulding to me.

 

[HERTS P&D]

It needs architrave going around to cover the timber/plaster join.

Andy

 

[tim00]

Looked at the pic again and i now agree with joe that it seems as though the architrave/moulding has been plastered, or mudded, in.
There are a number of possible reasons why the plaster board surrounding the w/frame has been stopped short - hence the in-situ architrave/moulding being set too shallow; it should be on the finished surface.
Perhaps if you remove all the moulding and beading you might then reveal what insulation, if any, is tucked, or sprayed, in to the gaps between the rough framing opening and the actual w/frame. You could then furr out and set new moulding (and beading, if necessary).
The drywall mud finish is very poor.