Window sill rotted out

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

lokhor

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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

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scuwp

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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.

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timmmay

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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.

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1eStar

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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

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Reply # 1589319 10-Jul-2016 23:02

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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

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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.

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lokhor

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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 :/

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timmmay

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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.

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elpenguino

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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

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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

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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

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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

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1eStar

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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

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Reply # 1590210 12-Jul-2016 11:29

I put an advert on builder's crack

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