Cracks around window frame - worrying or DIYable?
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reddit.comPosted Jul 28, 2022, 12:10 PM UTC
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reddit.comI live in a 1930s building and my flat has one original single glazed steel window. There's a crack that goes all the way around the windowframe - about 1mm at the top, 5mm along the sides and up to 7mm along the windowsill.
The cracks were already there when I moved in 4 years ago but they've definitely grown over time.
Is this a structural worry or should I just fill it, if so what with?
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Is that PVC window or wooden?
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I think it's steel. Much like the first photo here https://www.steelwindowanddoor.co.uk/a-short-history-traditional-style-steel-windows-doors/ but on a straight wall and with only the three middle sections instead of five.
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Hmm this is a tricky one. I’d say for now just fill it and sand down etc. I would say caulk it too for added protection and observe for a year or more. If it gets back like this again then time for a pro to look at it.
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Scrape it out and caulk it..
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Have they gotten particularly worse with the recent scorching weather? It may just be caused my expansion and contraction.
Inside cracks not too much to worry about, do check the outside though- there should be no cracks or open joints like this, must be watertight.
It's plausible they got worse in the heatwave but also plausible that I just happened to look more closely as I was watering the plants today, I really can't be sure!
I'm in a top floor flat, so it's a bit hard to look at the window from the outside. Here's a photo with the window open, showing both the inside side with the crack and the outside side. It looks okay as far as I can see. The paint is a bit peely but I can't see or feel any cracks along where the window connects to the frame.
I can't really check the other side of the frame from in here though, like where it connects to the brick wall. Does that need checking? I'd need, I dunno, a mirror on a stick or something.
https://imgur.com/a/gH49qCN