During a sudden exceptionally heavy and, luckily short, rainstorm this morning, water came pouring in at the top of my window frame from where the frame meets the masonry.
Outside, the wall is covered with that thick render material which looks like tapioca. (Sorry I don't know the name of this stuff). Because of this, there is no way for me to actually climb up and view the window frame where it meets the brick of the wall.
Very considerable water came in across the whole of the upper frame.
The window itself is at least 20 years old (I've only been here for two years so am guessing). It has locks so ancient that they can't be replaced and the previous owner left no keys. I've actually had some keys created by a locksmith. All the double glazing is in perfect condition, with no clouding or damp damage so I'm very reluctant to have to replace the entire window as it's a large, wide kitchen one.
Would be very grateful for advice so that when I get contractors to look, I will know if they're telling me a story or not. Also, being female, I find some contractors try to mess me about.
My brother seems to imagine I can 'paint' some kind of sealant onto it but I really don't think that would suffice and, in any event, there's this thick render stuff on top of the brick so how do I even reach the window frame/brick myself? My tallest ladder doesn't get me high enough.
I need the cheapest but most solid solution possible and I don't think I'm going to be able to do this job myself.
Unfortunately my camera does not show the water ingress well but you can see how much has collected on the sill. The window itself appears to be made of metal - aluminium I guess.
Thank you for reading.
Outside, the wall is covered with that thick render material which looks like tapioca. (Sorry I don't know the name of this stuff). Because of this, there is no way for me to actually climb up and view the window frame where it meets the brick of the wall.
Very considerable water came in across the whole of the upper frame.
The window itself is at least 20 years old (I've only been here for two years so am guessing). It has locks so ancient that they can't be replaced and the previous owner left no keys. I've actually had some keys created by a locksmith. All the double glazing is in perfect condition, with no clouding or damp damage so I'm very reluctant to have to replace the entire window as it's a large, wide kitchen one.
Would be very grateful for advice so that when I get contractors to look, I will know if they're telling me a story or not. Also, being female, I find some contractors try to mess me about.
My brother seems to imagine I can 'paint' some kind of sealant onto it but I really don't think that would suffice and, in any event, there's this thick render stuff on top of the brick so how do I even reach the window frame/brick myself? My tallest ladder doesn't get me high enough.
I need the cheapest but most solid solution possible and I don't think I'm going to be able to do this job myself.
Unfortunately my camera does not show the water ingress well but you can see how much has collected on the sill. The window itself appears to be made of metal - aluminium I guess.
Thank you for reading.
