External window silicone gaps

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Skipsteer

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I've noticed some fairly big gaps in the silicone above a couple of our external windows.

I was just wondering if we might be better trying to use something other than silicone to cover this?

I'm thinking if we re-silicone, due to the size of gaps if might just break away again.

See attached photo.

Any suggestions or advice on this would be appreciated.
 

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tbh although difficult to gauge 100% from the pic, the gap doesn't look overly excessive. It's failed partly because the original bead wasn't quite wide enough for the gap, some shrinkage etc. I'd make good bits of crumbling concrete as can be seen in the pic, then would use this or equivalent:

Dow Corning Dowsil 796 LM Frame Silicone Sealant - Brilliant White (sealantsandtoolsdirect.co.uk)

Ensure you cut enough (but not too much!) off the nozzle to give a slightly larger bead than originally applied.
 
It might look neater to pull out existing silicone, put in new and trim over to hide.

Exposed silicone never looks great IMO
 
Notch7 said:
It might look neater to pull out existing silicone, put in new and trim over to hide.

Exposed silicone never looks great IMO
Click to expand...
I don't necessarily disagree, although I tend to reserve trim for larger gaps as trim can make the surface look slightly busy/cluttered. I think sealant looks fine ... if applied and finished properly ;)
 
I would pull off the old silicone, then either fill with a small bead of foam or seal it with silicone then slide a bit of 45mm trim in the gap and then seal with a thinner bead and also hiding the underside of the mortar/catnic killing 2 birds with one stone
 
Thanks for all the suggestions.

Just to check I've understood correctly.

Could I use expanding foam instead of silicone and then cover with a trim?

It's colder than the min 5C recommended for applying silicone so that might be a good idea to avoid having to wait until it gets warmer.

In terms of a trim, where should this cover, just over the old slicone or completely covering the whole underside concrete section?

Any links or recommendations to appropriate trim options would be really helpful?

And also what's the best way to secure the trim?

Many thanks
 
You have two basic trim options. Either like this, where you apply a thin section of trim to the flat edge of the window:

trim-1.jpg


Or like this where you apply a deeper section of trim to the concrete underside (except yours would cover most/all of the concrete):

trim-2.png


Lots of places sell it e.g.

White uPVC Trims | suppliers of uPVC Window Trims (directplastics.com)

Any type of good grab it type adhesive (suitable for exterior use and adhering plastic to concrete) will do the trick.
 
Do you think I'd need to fill those gaps at all if I just cover with the trim?

Don't fancy spending too much time up on the ladders if I can avoid it. I know how long it can take to remove silicone at the best of times at ground level!

Or possible just fill those silicone gaps with expanding foam which is quick to do?

With the expanding foam should I only be using a small amount to cover the seal area?

Thanks again for your help with this
 
In my opinion, these are your options and tbh any will be better than current situation.

1. Go with basic sealant out > sealant in as per my original suggestion. If you apply it correctly it will look fine and will do the job. No need to fill gap prior to assuming your bead is large enough.
2. Go with thin trim as per my first pic. It's easy enough when up there to run sealant into the gap before applying the trim. You should then run small bead of sealant around the trim to hide any slightly messy edges and aid draft-proofing.
3. Go with deeper trim as per my second pic and Cranks suggestion. Again, if going to that bother it's easy enough to fill the gap prior to adhering the trim. Again seal edges to hide any rough bits and aid draft-proofing.

Don't bother with expanding foam, size of gap doesn't merit it.

p.s. If you're slightly apprehensive working up the ladder, you might be better sticking with option 1 for quickness and easiness, just a thought.

p.p.s. If your other first floor windows have the concrete exposed but you don't intend to do anything with them, you might be better just doing option 1 so things look consistent across all the windows, again just a thought.
 
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Thanks for going through the different options. All makes sense.

I was just a bit apprehensive of spending too long up the ladders trying to remove silicone before applying a new bead. It took me ages to remove silicone from the shower tray recently, but hopefully it's easier to remove above the window like this.

Probably don't need to worry as much about making sure all the old silicone is 100% removed as well.

The other thing is the weather this now. It says on the silicone tube only apply above 5C, but not sure if it would make a big difference if it was say 1-3C.
 
As long as you remove what you reasonably can it'll be fine. Just make sure your new bead is large enough to get good adhesion to both the window and concrete. You can apply in colder temps but things like flow and surface adherence can be issues. I'd say wait for a slightly milder day, ensure the surfaces are dry etc and go for it, but don't apply when the snow's falling :)

Oh yeah and with no disrespect, safety first. If you're not fancying the job, get a man in ;)
 
Thanks very much for all your suggestions and advice

I'll give it a go and if it feels too dodgy up the ladders get someone else in to do it

Should I just use a standard file to smooth down that lump of cement? I'm guessing that shouldn't cause any damage.
 
Skipsteer said:
Thanks very much for all your suggestions and advice

I'll give it a go and if it feels too dodgy up the ladders get someone else in to do it

Should I just use a standard file to smooth down that lump of cement? I'm guessing that shouldn't cause any damage.
Click to expand...

Not 100% sure what you mean by this. If you're intending to cover the concrete fully with trim and there are some bumps, then a standard rasp file will do the job. However if the bumps are small, remember those discrepancies would likely be accommodated for by the adhesive. If you're simply thinking of tidying the concrete up whilst you're up there, if you're just doing a new bead of silicon with no trim, then I'd just leave the concrete as is. First floor, no one's seeing it in close up :)
 
Good point, no one will really notice it anyway and saves me some extra work

Thanks
 
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