Window sill rotted out

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Window sill rotted out - what to do?

lokhor

2785 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 153

Trusted

Topic # 198467 10-Jul-2016 19:07

Hi all,

The window sill in my bedroom has rotted out from water damage and I'm unsure what to do. I believe the rot goes all the way through from the outside. I don't know what sort of tradesman can fix this sort of thing. I am assuming the whole window might need replacing. Any advice would be welcome.

Cheers

Lead Consultant @Intergen
All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

scuwp

3071 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1551

Reply # 1589219 10-Jul-2016 19:15

Timber? Aluminium? Whats the outside cladding? How old is the house? Call a builder or decent home handyman if you are not sure what you are doing yourself. If you have water coming in from the outside there may be a bit of work to do to ensure the cause is properly fixed so this doesn't happen again.

Always be yourself, unless you can be Batman, then always be the Batman

timmmay

14138 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2544

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 1589225 10-Jul-2016 19:23

Get a double glazed PC window, if it matches your house, the manufacturer of the windows can often fit it. If not, get a builder to do it. Otherwise get a builder to remove and replace the rotten window, and a painter to make sure it's sealed and water tight.

AWS Certified Solution Architect Professional, Sysop Administrator Associate, and Developer Associate
TOGAF certified enterprise architect
Professional photographer

1eStar

1488 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 334

Reply # 1589313 10-Jul-2016 22:09

Where are you based?

I have a friend in Wellington who does this type of work all the time, he's a carpenter/builder.

MadEngineer

1616 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 411

Reply # 1589319 10-Jul-2016 23:02

One person supports this post

You may be offered a quick fix with some bog filler. It's a nasty fix that will inevitability crack and probably only last a couple of years.

Can turn into a big job that wont be known until the builder starts pulling out the rot.

A builder will provide options.

lokhor

2785 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 153

Trusted

Reply # 1589386 11-Jul-2016 08:07

1eStar: Where are you based?

I have a friend in Wellington who does this type of work all the time, he's a carpenter/builder.

I am in Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt so close to Wellington.

To answer the other questions - the windows are aluminium and the cladding of the house is Hardiplank. House is 30 years old.

I believe the wooden bit on the side of the aluminium window on the outside has rotted through and this has allowed moisture to come into the house and destroy the sill.

Lead Consultant @Intergen
All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

lokhor

2785 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 153

Trusted

Reply # 1589387 11-Jul-2016 08:07

MadEngineer: You may be offered a quick fix with some bog filler. It's a nasty fix that will inevitability crack and probably only last a couple of years.

Can turn into a big job that wont be known until the builder starts pulling out the rot.

A builder will provide options.

Haha yeah it has been bogged up previously :/

Lead Consultant @Intergen
All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

timmmay

14138 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2544

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 1589388 11-Jul-2016 08:08

If your aluminium windows are ok then you just need a builder to replace the wood, plus someone to ensure it's properly sealed and painted. The rot could be all through the wall.

AWS Certified Solution Architect Professional, Sysop Administrator Associate, and Developer Associate
TOGAF certified enterprise architect
Professional photographer

elpenguino

674 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 238

Reply # 1589391 11-Jul-2016 08:21

There should be a flashing underneath the sill so don't panic, the wall should be ok.

Unless the problem has been going on so long that the flashing has corroded away.....

Ask an expert, if you are lucky the window won't need to be removed for the repair.

MadEngineer

1616 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 411

Reply # 1589401 11-Jul-2016 09:00

I've actually got the same problem. The window is on a corner of the house so likely just caused due to being exposed and the high walls reducing shelter from the eves.

I had a builder in prepping my kitchen for the new install (happening today yay!)the other day and he was showing me the construction of the window from the inside while it was exposed, mentioned how people often don't realise the work involved when repairing them. "Well, yeah, actually funny that you mention that ... "

The window sill is a large block of wood that is the thickness of you wall. Hard to remove especially when the whole window is old and otherwise super-dry so protecting the surrounding woodwork during removal won't be easy.

Sometimes cheaper or more economical to put in a whole new window.

blackjack17

763 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 183

Reply # 1589410 11-Jul-2016 09:14

Get a builder in to quote. Assuming it is single floor it shouldn't be too much.

ZollyMonsta

2678 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 225

Trusted

Reply # 1589411 11-Jul-2016 09:29

You can get quotes from builders for such work from www.builderscrack.co.nz

I've used them twice now for quoting for building bookcases (made them myself in the end) and for some help levelling the piles/bearers in my deck (chose one of the quotes and got it done for a good price).

You can also cross-reference any quotes with references from www.nocowboys.co.nz

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz

1eStar

1488 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 334

Reply # 1589934 11-Jul-2016 20:54

http://www.smiththecarpenter.co.nz

He's based in Island Bay so travel costs might outweigh the cost of the work.

lokhor

2785 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 153

Trusted

Reply # 1590210 12-Jul-2016 11:29

I put an advert on builder's crack

Lead Consultant @Intergen
All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.