Rain Water In Lounge

[slinky.kate]

I have been having the same problem with water in about 12 inches below my window,this only happens when we have really heavy rain,i have had a builder in,replastered the wall etc but it is still happening.i want a good builder that knows what he's doing so who do I contact.previous builders have said its the windows,others say its a crack in the brickwork,have been told it will cost about £1000 to fix,who do I contact to get it done properly,i want a good genuine builder,please help.

[MargoTester]

There is a web site called rated people. You fill in your details and they give recommendations. You could also try streetlife if you have one near you, just type streetlife into Google.

[The Builder]

Kate, replastering the wall is absolutely nothing to do with it I'm afraid.

Roughly how old is the house?
Masonry construction - brick? render?
What is the outside window sill?

[slinky.kate]

the house is an upper cottage flat;built in the 60's;window sill is a window ledge;
have been told the window wasn't fitted properly,
might have crack in masonry,but cant see anything cause its pebbledashed,one builder wants to put up waterproof tiles up the whole wall at the cost of £1000.

[slinky.kate]

the window ledge has been pointed,waterproof stuff put round the windows as well

[The Builder]

60s house... so it'll be a cavity wall. There should be a vertical damp-proof course on each side of the window (hidden). This drains onto a horizontal DPC under the window.

It's called a "tray". I'll betcha the tray has been left out, or it was wrongly fitted. Any water running down the sides or off the sill should drip onto the tray (also hidden) .......... and run off down the wall.

Anyway... a little exploratory poking with a hammer and chisel under the window (exterior) should tell all. Perhaps someone could do this first to investigate. (Easy to patch up the render afterwards.)

[slinky.kate]

the builder,thank you,who do I get to check this,is it a builder or window people,i appreciate your help by the way(are you near Glasgow by any chance)

[alavahalf]

kate trays are actually rather cheap .. http://www.screwfix.com/search?search=cavity+trays .. they are usually fitted by a builder or a handyman who is capable.
It would be interesting to see if you can tempt TB out of his sun kissed micro climate on the South Coast where he is surrounded in palm trees, to venture north to where the mountains are still topped with the white stuff ..... I doubt he will even speak the language .. ;-)

[slinky.kate]

I will show all this to my son tomorrow and get the ball rollinghanks everyone

[The Builder]

Ha......... Homer's right. It would be quite a big commute from here in the Deep South. I have been to Glasgee many times though. Pretty good with the language too. Although "a pint of heavy" and "awa an bile yer heid" usually cover most things.

NOT a window company, Slinks. They would probably have no idea. It may even be out of a handyman's area. I would go for an old-school local builder. He'll know exactly what to look for.

[slinky.kate]

many thanks the builder,i can see light at the end of the tunnel,i will keep you informed.how is it only wet at the one side,?

[The Builder]

Only a guess of course. If it is a problem with the tray, then I guess that, rather than shedding water off the tray to the front, it's blocked. The water will then find any easy way out ............. to one side.

[slinky.kate]

got in touch with the builder and he is coming up at the week end to have a look and give me a quote.

[slinky.kate]

will this be expensive????

[The Builder]

No, but I can't say how much without a pic. The job is easy enough, but the unknown is how much repair and finishing is needed. If the exterior is painted, then easy to patch up and touch up the paint.

Let me know what he says.

[slinky.kate]

ok thank you