Window Leak - Weep Holes?

[pundabuyer]

Hi Guys,

In need of some urgent help.

So i noticed that the windowsill under my downstairs hall window was getting water damaged very slowly (The wall next to it was also showing signs of damp patches.)

I mixed up some mortar and re-pointed between the metal under the weep holes (Above the window) and the window trim which i though could be where the water was getting in as the mortar line was poor and it made the situation a whole lot worse!

I woke up the next day and the windowsill has completely blown with water (As its MDF)

I obviously haven't got any mortar in the weep holes they haven't been touched and water shouldn't be getting into the holes into the house as there should be a moisture barrier... any ideas why this could have happened? There was obviously an issue in the first place but how can me re-pointing exacerbate it so much!

 

[conny]

Photo's would help.

 

[pundabuyer]

Of course, im not at home now but ill post some shortly.

 

[Ihavenojob]

Weep holes ? The only holes around windows ( I'm assuming it's double glazed ) would be drainage holes (about30-40mm long), which should be at the bottom of the window, or trickle vents, which would be much longer (150-250mm) at the top. I would think a trickle vent could let water in, maybe silicone sealant round it may help.The vent would be in the window unit, the drain in the frame. What is the sill made of outside? Concrete ones can get cracks in which would allow water through.

 

[pundabuyer]

See photo attached. I have since removed the mortar as it clearly made things worse.

 

[Notch7]

Hi Guys,

In need of some urgent help.

So i noticed that the windowsill under my downstairs hall window was getting water damaged very slowly (The wall next to it was also showing signs of damp patches.)

I mixed up some mortar and re-pointed between the metal under the weep holes (Above the window) and the window trim which i though could be where the water was getting in as the mortar line was poor and it made the situation a whole lot worse!

I woke up the next day and the windowsill has completely blown with water (As its MDF)

I obviously haven't got any mortar in the weep holes they haven't been touched and water shouldn't be getting into the holes into the house as there should be a moisture barrier... any ideas why this could have happened? There was obviously an issue in the first place but how can me re-pointing exacerbate it so much!

are you sure its connected?

it sounds like the weep holes you mean are the weep holes for the lintel which is forming the cavity tray.

if the windowboard is wet at the ends near the plaster reveal it could be water getting in down the sides of the reveal -in which case it could be a fault with the vertical dpc or lack of cavity closer (age of property will determine the arrangement)

if the windowboard is getting wet in the middle, it could be a fault with the window -maybe a blocked weep hole or something

 

[pundabuyer]

Pic *

 

[pundabuyer]

It was getting wet directly under the left vent on the windowsill inside but from underneath

 

[Notch7]

It was getting wet directly under the left vent on the windowsill inside but from underneath

do you mean the water was dripping down from the head of the window onto the cill?

I would start by taking off the external trims, see what the silicon is like and re do it.

if its getting damp from the bottom it would be helpful to know the external cill detail -is it upvc cill or brick / concrete

 

[pundabuyer]

Drips from underneath

 

[Ihavenojob]

How old is the house ? NHBC guarantee? Are there drainage holes outside in the bottom of the window frame?

 

[pundabuyer]

25 years so no NHBC. No drainage in the actual window but I think the water had blown in from outside maybe? I have used expanding foam in the void and will monitor before fitting another board

 

[Notch7]

How old is the house ? NHBC guarantee? Are there drainage holes outside in the bottom of the window frame?

thats what I would be checking

 

[Notch7]

25 years so no NHBC. No drainage in the actual window but I think the water had blown in from outside maybe? I have used expanding foam in the void and will monitor before fitting another board

check window drainage holes.

youve got a window that is direct glazed below a fanlight.

the direct glazed part could let in water in high winds which should discharge out through the extermal cill

 

[pundabuyer]

Update.... after filling the cavity under the frame with foam the water bow only comes in the corner one side. Hopefully you can see the picture but it's on the inside of the brick an inch away from the window frame. Any further thoughts guys?