I have a timber house and a previous owner has replaced the wooden windows with colonial-style aluminium, namely 4 very large windows in the lounge, dining and 2 bedrooms. Each is 3m long with a fixed middle pane and 2 side opening windows I've noticed that where the opening windows are, the inner windowsills are cracked and breaking up. There's no sign of damp and no leaks even in a storm. It's an old house, generally in very good condition otherwise, and I wonder whether the place is sinking and needs repiling, or whether the windows weren't installed properly, or if there's sone other reason Has anyone any idea what could cause this? TIA , I have a maintenance plan for 2 yrs away when I retire, hopefully i won't need to add a massive repiling cost too.
budgel,
Sep 18, 9:32pm
Can you check to see whether the sills are real timber or MDF. If they are real timber it is possible that high sunlight on a poor paint job has caused it. If MDF, cycles of condensation dampness and drying could be causing the problem. Foundations settling would show other things like jamming doors and windows and cracks in the walls. Look to see if any doors have been planed, or have uneven gaps around them. If there are no other problems apart from the sills (jambliners) I wouldnt worry too much, although odd, probably only cosmetic.
karrie3,
Sep 18, 11:27pm
There aren't any other problems, all windows and doors open and close easily, no cracks etc. The sills are more than paint cracking, the timber/MDF has broken up and sticks up with jagged edges There's no sign of condensation in the mornings, and no smell or sign of damp or leaking water. That side of the house gets driving rain I do hope it's only cosmetic and can last the next 2 years without major work! My main worry is that the place is safe I had a building report done 3 years ago and there was no mention of windowsills, but it did recommend attention to the wooden piles 'in due course', as a priority 3
stevo2,
Sep 19, 5:09am
Can you put some photos up ?
karrie3,
Sep 19, 6:34am
I've taken a pic with the iPad and it's in My Photos but can't see any way to post it here
View your photo on trademe again - while it's open copy the www address (aka url ) when u view your photo and paste in a new message in this thread
happychappy50,
Sep 25, 5:57pm
This,same happened to me,after a good sand,a decent sealer/undercoat & an oil based enamel problem solved.If it was footings/piers doors would be binding,arches/skirts would show cracks in the joints etc
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