Is this window dangerous?

[English archer]

I'm still puzzled as to why there are no cracks in the pointing. Looking at the headers, the low point at a guess is getting on for 3/4 inch, maybe more. At the top of the pic, 6 courses up, there looks to be a 1/2 sag. It looks like 5 courses have been replaced?

 

I'm guessing the windows were done before you rented the property?

 

My guess that is the window was replaced, without a lintel as the lads above have said. Consequently the wall dropped causing the bow in the top of the window frame, and cracking the brickwork. Bricks re-pointed or re laid with no further correction work. Hence no cracks. For the cost of a window and lintel, short sighted/potentially dangerous penny pinching Get the electrics and gas checked

Yes the window was already in when we started renting.

 

Luckily there is no gas in the village, so we are safe there.

 

The council have been called, and we are awaiting a call back next week.

[kent]

 

Going off-topic slightly, but is the replacement window business not regulated? I have seen no end of appalling howlers from window fitters which contravene building regs but nothing is ever done about it. You can't form a dodgy window openings in a new-build. Building control would pick it up and condemn it. And on a commercial site any brickie who didn't know how to set a lintel or close a cavity would be down the road carrying his bag by 10 o' clock break. But upvc window fitters (well, some of them) get away with it all the time. Too many of them have no experience or qualifications in any construction industry trade, they only know how to use a battery drill and a mastic gun.

Britain is full of old buildings which use window and door frames as structural components. Its amazing that unqualified operatives are allowed to attack them with saws without having a clue what they're doing.

 

Firstly the guys I mention were very well qualified but still stuff happens. Window companies are the same as building companies some are better than others, unfortunately both will flaunt B.regs and controls when it comes to getting cash in, the responsibility lies with the House owner. The only way to fix this is building permits something the UK has fought shy of for many years.

I did quite a bit of training work in the window industry and its surprising how little some know, the same is true of builders I assure you. I have sacked more builders than I have fitters and joiners though employed more of the latter. The fact remains though most faults are cross - trade stuff Builders thinking they are joiners and the reverse.

[Blackpowder]

So if one window on the property is a bodged installation, what are the others like?

 

Blackpowder

[pegleg31]

So if one window on the property is a bodged installation, what are the others like?

 

Blackpowder

I'd guess there's no lintels in the rest, it's how they built them years ago. A timber window would of supported the face work and a timber lintel above the headers/stretchers supported the internal skin, that's why I'm guessing there's no cavity. I've come across this loads where I'm from in old terrace and pit houses

[TDRsniper]

Is the property rented privately or through an agent?

If through an agent they have a duty to ensure the landlord keeps the property in proper repair!

Regardless whether it's dangerous or not it is a health risk! Next you will get damp issues, mould etc which will damage your possessions and potentially cause you health issues.

If rented through an association take it as high up their complaints chain as possible and log all calls and correspondence, involve your local council too.

If through an agent same rules apply but ask the agent what the landlord is legally required to do and try and get the agent "on side"

If rented privately it's gonna be tougher but in all cases read your tenancy agreement carefully.

 

Good luck.

[Fisherman Mike]

If you look at the window on the left in the first picture you will see a course of cut soldiers..are these resting on the steel flange of an old lintel. ?

 

Sometimes the lintels were built composite with steel rods threaded through the perforations in the brick or built on flat steel plate and it might be this.

 

The course of bricks in the picture above the window in question are not original in my opinion but they may have been built on a non galvanised steel plate which has rusted and spalled.

 

Best thing to do is hack off the plaster internally in a small area where it has cracked and see if there is a steel plate above.

 

Lintel or not that bottom course has definitely dropped and is preventing the top sash from opening and letting water in.

 

Is you lease agreed through a letting agent. ?

[pegleg31]

Window to the left is a header course, window in question is a stretcher course and the door to the right is a soldier course. The only one I'm guessing that will have a lintel is the door as this looks newer brickwork.

 

Edit: scrap the newer bit, there's no cavity there either. I'd check all openings for lintels.

 

Russ

Edited May 10, 2014 by pegleg31

[kent]

I'd guess there's no lintels in the rest, it's how they built them years ago. A timber window would of supported the face work and a timber lintel above the headers/stretchers supported the internal skin, that's why I'm guessing there's no cavity. I've come across this loads where I'm from in old terrace and pit houses

Its interesting you mention these "pit homes" as windows and build method changes so much around the country. I did a while with a midlands based company and saw what they call "Birmingham steels" literally you can be all day on one window. Never seen them in Lancs, Cheshire, Merseyside, N Yorks etc. In Bradford etc the guys often fit stub cills on terrace windows on top of the stone ones and vertically drain rather than face drain them when replacing- you don't often see this practice in Lancs.

[English archer]

Right, after a call to the council, I emailed them these pictures.

 

They immediately called our landlord.

 

Within 2 hours, we had a builder here.

 

He confirmed what has been said on here, originally there would have been wooden sash windows, that would have formed the lintel, as part of the frame.

 

The landlord is going to replace the window, 4 or 5 layers of bricks, and fit a steel lintel.

 

Does all this sound ok to you experts?

Edited May 13, 2014 by English archer

[Fisherman Mike]

Right, after a call to the council, I emailed them these pictures.

 

They immediately called our landlord.

 

Within 2 hours, we had a builder here.

 

He confirmed what has been said on here, originally there would have been wooden sash windows, that would have formed the lintel, as part of the frame.

 

The landlord is going to replace the window, 4 or 5 layers of bricks, and fit a steel lintel.

 

Does all this sound ok to you experts?

Result!

[Fisheruk]

Someone has removed the lintel to fit a universal sized double glazing unit. Stupidly dangerous. Probably would have been a narrow window there or not one at all previously

Never was a lintol over the window. Very common in some parts of the country. Brickwork use to be supported on robust timber frames. I suggest you call your building control. The new windows should have been installed with either a Fensa certificate or Building Regulations approval. Needs to be investigated. If you are in striking distance of me I'd be happy to look at it for you. If I can help send me a PM.

[kent]

Never was a lintol over the window. Very common in some parts of the country. Brickwork use to be supported on robust timber frames. I suggest you call your building control. The new windows should have been installed with either a Fensa certificate or Building Regulations approval. Needs to be investigated. If you are in striking distance of me I'd be happy to look at it for you. If I can help send me a PM.

 

Fensa has only existed for just over ten years and was never involved with this side of things (I am about 7-8 yrs perhaps behind any such alteration of its origonal remit )