Damp on inside near wall near window

[ckl7]

Hi all,

Have a damp patch on inside of wall near window.

Seems to be wet from inside top left of window all the way down and the inside of plaster wall is wet in the window alcove.

Damp patch circular at the bottom of wall on inside as well.


We have recently had new windows installed and sealed , it was present before new windows went in and is still there.


I am assuming it is either

1. gaps in mortar on outside near window, allowing water to penetrate in.

2. Potentially lintel above window, allowing water in? this hasn't got sealent on as it is damproof coursed and cemented in.

3. missing damp proof course between brick and plaster vertically.

Is showing as hih 90s when put damp meter on it , so definetly water getting in somehow

Can anyone shed any light on this ? and proposed action to take

Thank you

 

[Koolpc]

Did they fill the gap around the window with expanding foam? Could be a very cold spot and warm air condensing on it..

 

[ckl7]

Hi Koolpc,

It was like this before the new windows went in, so has always been there.

Isn't happening on the other side.

I am trying to work out if it is missing DPC , gaps in mortar outside or the lintel

 

[ckl7]

I am not sure if they put in expanding foam on the original windows.

 

[noseall]

I am not sure if they put in expanding foam on the original windows.

Check to see how far back (towards the inside of the room) both the old and new windows were fitted. If there is less than say 35mm of brick showing, beyond the face of the window mullions to the outside of the brick, then neither window, old or new, was fitted robustly.

 

[ckl7]

Hey noseall,

This has been mentioned before that the windows werent' fitted in enough , would this cause the damp easier to penetrate in through wall ?

 

[noseall]

Hey noseall,

This has been mentioned before that the windows werent' fitted in enough , would this cause the damp easier to penetrate in through wall ?

Yes and fairly common with more porous/exposed bricks. It would require some plaster and window board removal, to be successful. I'd use a hose first (when it's dry) to try and find the culprit.

 

[ckl7]

Thanks noseall,

I am going to try and fill in mortar in gaps on side of window and also apply brick sealer , then dry out with dehumidifier.

Failing that the leak I am guessing may be coming from the roof potentially and coming down.

If no avail with what I mentioned , feel some plasterboard will need to come off inside for access point so I can see what is actually going on.

 

[ckl7]

But will try with the hose as well, good suggestion.

 

[noseall]

Thanks noseall,

I am going to try and fill in mortar in gaps on side of window and also apply brick sealer , then dry out with dehumidifier.

Failing that the leak I am guessing may be coming from the roof potentially and coming down.

If no avail with what I mentioned , feel some plasterboard will need to come off inside for access point so I can see what is actually going on.

The pointing repairs may not help, but brick sealer might.

Its when the fitter doesn't fit the windows far enough back towards the inside and some of the outside brick is visible from the inside.

As you can see below, because the outside lintel is visible from the inside, it means that condensation is forming on the steel. Similarly, if the reveal bricks get soaked, they'll wick through the reveal plaster too. In reality, you should not be able to see ANY of the external masonry from the inside, once the windows are fitted. The window in the image needed to come back at least another 15mm, towards the inside.

Crap Fitting1

• noseall
• 17 Dec 2017

Crap Fitting2

• noseall
• 17 Dec 2017

 

[ckl7]

That makes sense noseall,

I will try the brick sealer and see if it has an effect.

Then if no joy will look at potentially moving window back in more

Thanks for help