leaky window problem not yet cracked. - free online library

Interestingly, when you think you may have solved a new problem, how did the new problem come up.
With the appearance of uPVC doors and windows.
The biggest selling point is that they don\'t need painting.
In fact, they don\'t need maintenance.
This creates a false sense of security because, oddly enough, they do need maintenance.
Although the uPVC frame can withstand severe weather for 15-15 days
For 20 years or more, their components remain fragile.
In recent weeks, we have investigated uPVC windows installation 10-
Fifteen years ago, the plaster sides of the glass panels and window openings began to leak.
I think it would be better to go back to the past before looking at the causes of these problems how we handle the opening of windows and doors.
In a traditional old Georgian or Victorian house, a large part of the window, and in some cases the door frame, are carefully hidden behind the crust of the brick house.
The reason is more beautiful than preventing leakage.
The previous sliding window frame had a very fat frame.
Planting them directly into the opening means visible broadband Wood, a larger opening on the wall, or a reduction in the amount of light.
To overcome this problem, the outer leaves of the brick project about 100 forward, and the wooden box frame hidden behind provides a slender frame on the side.
To a large extent, driving rain through the recess is prevented from tracking to the interior, leaving only the external seams between the masonry frames filled.
This joint will be made of sand/lime mortar, which is very common and allows the wooden frame and brick window to move independently.
Unfortunately, the mortar lasted no more than 20 years and had to be updated over and over again.
With the appearance of the window fan and the smaller door frame, the door frame is directly planted on the brick seam.
About 30 years ago, the seam between the wood frame and the brick factory was again a mortar fillet, but since then they have been replaced by sealing materials.
It is sometimes called \"chewing\", but rather, it is called a sealant.
The sealing material we use around the window and door frame itself can have a life of 10 years, but if it is coated, this life can be extended to 20-25 years.
After application, the sealant forms a hardened skin, but the inner core remains flexible for up to 10 years.
This makes it possible for bricks and windows to move, but the sealing material will bend as it moves.
By applying paint on the sealant, it slows down the hardening rate of the compound and extends its service life.
On uPVC windows we do not apply the caulking agent.
Therefore, sealantlife is not as extended as the paint wood window.
On the contrary, it has a life span of up to 10 years before it dries, and the contraction becomes fragile.
Should we worry?
We have to keep in mind that some of the surfaces of our building, including the south facing walls and roofs, are vastly different throughout the season.
Air temperature difference between cold Middle
Winter nights and warm summer can be in-
5-35 degrees Celsius and 30 degC.
If you add the radiant heat from the sun, the surface temperature can be from-
260degc 80 degC.
If you build a wall with a material, then it will expand and shrink the entire length without any problems.
However, once you break that wall, by putting the window and door holes in it, the brick or stone will expand at a rate, while the window frame and glass will be completely different
It is these differences in expansion and contraction that cause problems.
To overcome this difference, we have a sealant.
It also overcomes the building gap that exists in the opening.
It is impractical for us to Strictly fix the window or door to the opening.
The difference in the speed of expansion and contraction can lead to the distortion of the frame.
Therefore, it is important to have a gap between the frame and the brick.
We must be careful not to make the building gap too big.
Most of the sealing materials used to point around windows and door frames are oleo-
Resin Type or Ding plastic type.
These sealant can only withstand a small amount of movement.
This is probably 10 pc of the overall width of the joint.
We must pay attention to the correct width of the seam to ensure that the sealing material can both cross the gap and cope with the movement that occurs.
The problem with our customer\'s uPVC windows is that the sealing material is not maintained, dry, shrink and crack.
The heavy rain two months ago went through the seams and flooded the gypsum board behind.
For many years, the window has been very happy to provide a dense opening.
Unfortunately, the owner did not realize that the windows were not fully serviced for free.
* Peter W Fall is a senior partner at Charter building surveyor Peter Fall Cowie.
The company can contact (0191)232 7733.
The back-most copy of the Doctor\'s House article, please visit www. pfc. uk.