Living room window / wall area help

[Wanda500]

Hello I am looking for some help please do let me know if I have posted this in the wrong place, as I am not exactly sure which category this should fall under.
Moved into property and small issue at the window as you can see from the pictures old damp or rot I am unsure what it is.

When it rains water occasionally comes in through the old wooden window and you can also see from the picture that outside the building there is a crack to the window ledge that only my apartment has, all other properties in the block do not have this problem.

My question is what trade should I get in touch with regarding the wall issue inside the house – I am keen to get the room decorated, but of course want to get any issues resolved first. What issue is it likely to be?

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[accelerator]

It looks like you've got water ingress through the external wall. Your wall is not keeping the water out. You probably need a builder to look at the outside of your wall and address any water ingress points, like that crack.

 

[ree]

OP,
You have active penetrating damp below, on the right & above the opening.
The rail in pic 1. is beginning to rot.
Is this window on the first floor or a dormer?
Pics showing the out side of the opening & the sill are needed.
You will need to find the causes & remedy them before any attempt at redecorating.
eg. the interior will require all signs of rot or damp removed back to brickwork or studs.

 

[Wanda500]

OP,
You have active penetrating damp below, on the right & above the opening.
The rail in pic 1. is beginning to rot.
Is this window on the first floor or a dormer?
Pics showing the out side of the opening & the sill are needed.
You will need to find the causes & remedy them before any attempt at redecorating.
eg. the interior will require all signs of rot or damp removed back to brickwork or studs.

Thank you I’m on the second floor of a 3 level apartment block. I’ll try to get outside pics taken as well.

So this would be a builder I’d need initially to get a quote for the work?

 

[accelerator]

So this would be a builder I’d need initially to get a quote for the work?

Yes, but who is responsible for maintenance of the apartment block? Is it freehold or leasehold, as it may not be your responsibility.

 

[ree]

OP,
I wouldn't get anybody to quote for anything until you can say what they are to quote for.
With the window open you could use a selfie stick to safely take pics from around the outside of the opening.
Did you have a RICS survey?

 

[Wanda500]

Freehold, we do have a factor for the building and the gardens for which all neighbours pay an annual fee, but since I’ve moved in I haven’t yet received any paperwork from said factor yet.

The Home report done by surveyor prior to purchasing apartment only noted one concern;

“From our inspection damp staining was seen to wall linings around the living room window. These areas were tested with a moisture meter and found to be dry. This area should be monitored for further leakage.”

 

[accelerator]

Probably worth having a word with the other residents, to see if they have any issues too. Then find a builder.

 

[Wanda500]

Thank you

 

[foxhole]

Freehold, we do have a factor for the building and the gardens for which all neighbours pay an annual fee, but since I’ve moved in I haven’t yet received any paperwork from said factor yet.

The Home report done by surveyor prior to purchasing apartment only noted one concern;

“From our inspection damp staining was seen to wall linings around the living room window. These areas were tested with a moisture meter and found to be dry. This area should be monitored for further leakage.”

A moisture meter would not record damp in the wall only at surface , so pointless observation .

 

[Wanda500]

So our next door neighbour is today having their whole living room window replaced due to same issue. unfortunately they don’t speak a word of English so spoke briefly with the window fitters who were there ‘just here to replace the window we don’t know anything else’

I’ve called the factor company so hopefully they can call me back and the repair will be covered under their remit.

 

[Wanda500]

OP,
I wouldn't get anybody to quote for anything until you can say what they are to quote for.
With the window open you could use a selfie stick to safely take pics from around the outside of the opening.
Did you have a RICS survey?

 

[ree]

OP,
Its obvious that the window sill is split - it was obvious in the first pics.
There's very poor sealant showing but the pic shows only one small area of the surround.
So without pics showing much more of the outside I'm afraid I cant help you anymore.