Seals that are broken, pulling away, missing or which are damaged as a result of ageing or long-term weather exposure will cause windows and doors to leak. Furthermore, the sealant or window putty used to seal the glazing beads on wooden windows may crack and allow moisture into the gazed areas of your windows. In addition, when the glazing putty on your steel windows cracks or a section falls out moisture will corrode the steel window frame.
These are the most obvious areas where leakages occur!
However, the most undetected area for leaks at windows is the junction between the window frame and the brickwork, plasterwork and window sill. As a matter of fact, it is one of the most common defects that I have found in both new and older homes.
There are multiple ways to detect leaks around your windows and doors:
Look for cracks in the door itself and in window panes.
Examine the existing caulking (sealing) and window weather stripping and weatherboards on doors. Make sure both are in good condition. In addition, leave no gaps or cracks.
If you can see daylight around a window or door frame, there will be a leak.
Shut a window and check for gaps in which you can insert the paint scraper. If you can easily insert the scraper under the closing part of the window, it is probably not watertight!
Moisture absorbed into brickwork and plasterwork causes them to expand slightly. When the brickwork and plasterwork dry they contract slightly. The water absorbed by the bricks and plasterwork usually causes a slight vertical crack at the edges of the internal window sills. The paint then starts to bubble along the vertical crack. This crack may continue around the length of the window sill before you notice it. What started out as a small vertical crack then becomes a horizontal crack along the bottom of the window sill on the interior face of the sill wall.
The cracks are usually not significant unless allowed to continue unabated.
Rising Damp
Sometimes the moisture intrusion at sills are mistaken for rising damp! Water leaking in at the window sill may bypass the damp proof course (DPC) built in under the window sill as a water-resistant barrier. The moisture may then appear as bubbling paint or crazing cracking of plasterwork, or both, below the window, extending down to floor level.
On external face-brick walls, this may appear as efflorescence (a white powder).
Internally, this may appear as bubbling paint above the skirting or discolouration of the skirting itself.
How do you prevent the moisture intrusion into window sills?
A roof inspection of your roof is most important because it protects you against the elements.
Maintain your home, especially the roof, on an annual basis. If you don’t do the small repairs they could end up as expensive repairs.
The roof
Your roof is the most important component of your home, protecting you, your belongings and the structure of the building. Damage to the roof can occur due to rain, wind and hail. You should regularly check the roof of your home for any leaks. Also inspect the ceiling, walls and the area around your home for any water spots, standing water or mould. Dampness on ceilings or walls can mean that there are leaks that you will have to attend to.
Check the chimney
Loose flashings, damaged masonry and loose bricks will allow rainwater in a house. Be sure to give the area around the chimney an inspection to ensure everything is fine. Refit loose flashing or replaced as necessary. Furthermore, chisel out the damaged mortar joints and rejoint, and also repair loose bricks.
Loose, dislodged or broken roof tiles or ridge caps
If you have the ladder long enough, inspect the roof for loose or crumbling mortar along the ridge cap. At the same time, check for cracked or damaged roof tiles while you’re up there. However, if you do discover problems and can’t deal with it yourself, call in a professional roofing contractor.Continue reading “Winter Home Maintenance”
Some of the components inspected in your house and property inspection report
My Comprehensive, Snag (New Home) and Maintenance Inspections include all of the above. Also included is the stand condition, property boundary and courtyard walls, swimming pools, garages, decks and so on on the property. To clarify, an itemised list is provided below.
Your home inspection
Firstly, I am a trained and skilled InterNACHI Certified Home Inspector. Therefore, you will receive a thorough and professional, non-intrusive, visual home inspection and report of the property.
Moreover, I inspect the property you wish me to report on, inside and out, from the boundary walls to the top of the roof. Following that, I produce a detailed comprehensive report of all the components inspected.
Outside the home, I will inspect the property boundary walls, the garden, the building’s walls and roof, the driveway, the deck etc. Moreover, if you request it I will inspect your swimming pool. Then I will move inside to inspect the walls, ceilings, floors, doors, and windows. In addition, I also inspect the heating, air-conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems to ensure that they work as intended. Likewise, bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms also receive a thorough check. Following on, I will check the roof (ceiling) space and basement, if any.
Following
that, I will prepare a detailed home inspection report of all the items
inspected, including photographs. Furthermore, the report will be clear and
easy to read.
Moreover, as The Home Detective, I strive to ensure my house and property inspectionservices and reports are the best. I also value customer service above everything else.
Items inspected in your house and property:
Air Conditioning systems
Boundary walls
Ceilings
Cupboards, kitchen tops and units
Damp in walls, floors and ceilings
Decks (all types)
Electric fencing
Electrical boards & components (DB, plugs, light switches and lights)
External finishes (faced, plastered and timber and steel framed)
Plumbing system & fixtures (baths, basins, showers, sinks, toilets etc)
Problem vegetation and foliage
Roof space (area above the ceiling)
Roof systems (tiled, sheeted, concrete and composite roofs)
Safety aspects
Steps and stairs
Stoves and hobs
Surface drainage
Swimming pools
Ventilation
Walkways and driveways
Waterproofing systems
Windows & doors
Wood-destroying organisms and pests (termites, rodents etc.)
Yard and courtyard walls
and much more!
In addition, I invite you to come along and watch as I inspect your house and property. Furthermore, you are free to ask questions at any time during your home inspection
Finally, for more information on home inspections and your property, please browse the rest of my website.
