Faulty Windows????

[Rhythmuk]

Hi, I wonder if anyone can shed some light on this.

Property was previously owned by an elderly couple who did no maintainance. There are two cracks on the balcony wall on either side of the window. The window seals are a bit loose, the window moves slightly when I press it.

Is this just water/wind damage or have I got something to worry about? The crack on the right looks like a thermal crack but the one on the left looks like its following a brick path. I don't think it is subsidence. Also they had a trellis up, so there are small holes in the wall and as you can see tried to fill the long cracks. The internal plaster here is not blown.

However, in the back bedroom all of the plaster on the two external walls have blown. Not sure if its the woodchip holding it up but in pics 3&4 you can see the more major cracks that have appeared. With the biggest crack showing at the side of the window.

Noting that they were in the property for over 25 years, everything is woodchipped and there is no central heating. Do you think that it is just natural damage from the length of time left to deteriorate?

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks in advance! Sandra

Untitled

• Rhythmuk
• 12 Dec 2011
• 2

Untitled

• Rhythmuk
• 12 Dec 2011
• 2

Untitled

• Rhythmuk
• 12 Dec 2011
• 2

Untitled

• Rhythmuk
• 12 Dec 2011
• 2

 

[bryanpar]

hi sandra
i would get a structual engineer to have a look at it .it may cost a couple of hundred pounds but it will be worth it. he will tell you what is causing it.and hopefully it wont be anything serious.if it is subsidance your insurance company should pay for this work but dont tell them yet that you have had someone out because they will count it as a claim even though they have done nothing !! good luck

 

[Rhythmuk]

Thanks

I should have stated that I am looking to buy this property, so there is no way that I can hack of any of the render to see what is going on underneath. I don't think the surveyor could do much other than make a very educated guess. Probably with a recommendation to hack it off and replace the render.

I didn't mind a project, but this property has no central heating. Blown plaster on 2.5 of the 4 external walls. Movement cracks on the ceiling where the concrete slabs have moved over time. Ad hoc plumbing and the list goes on. I think the window issue is probably the last straw for me. Will have to negotiate price or walk away.

On a positive note, I did find some useful posts regarding securing and sealing the windows in the forum. But the cracks are concerning.

Thanks... Sandra