We have rusty window corners, how shoult they be fixed and what kind of trade should we call? Thanks!
Hi @emmab1986,
The rust coming through the render is because there is a metal bead running along that corner that has obviously gotten wet and, over time, has rusted. There are plastic beads, that can be used instead which would not be susceptible to rust.
The trade you would need to speak to is a renderer. They will be able to scrape back the existing render, remove and replace the bead and then redo the render.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Jacob
I just thought I'd add a few resources for you if you'd like to give the repair a try yourself.
These articles should help you understand what is involved.
Looking at the other windows I am pretty sure that one has water ingress and likely from above.
Can we please have some photos looking up the wall.
Cheers
I'll take some more photos
Currently, these two windows have been badly affected by water ingress. We have identified that the person who installed the rainwater tanks fully closed the drains, which caused water to leak from above. The drains have now been reopened halfway.
We had a small builder come to the house to provide a quote. He said we need to first identify the issues that caused the rusting at the corner before he can quote, so your guidance would be very much appreciated. He also mentioned that fixing the issue could potentially cost tens of thousands of dollars.🙄
Unfortunately, the leak could stem from anywhere above this window, so it would be difficult to confidently say where it came from without further investigations. It sounds like the drains could be a factor, and the location of that weephole above the window could also have something to do with it.
I'd say the best thing you can do is get in touch with a company that specialises in leak detection. They will have specialised tools, such as thermal imaging cameras, as well as the experience and techniques that they can use to identify the source of the leak. Once the source is identified, you can take steps to rectify it before having your builder return to quote.
@JacobZ That's great advice!
Do you mean these weepholes?
We also have a vertical crack in the fence. Would you be able to advise what may have caused this? Should we just call a renderer to repair it?
Yes, those are the weepholes I was referring to. Weepholes allow any water that gets behind a brick wall to drain out rather than becoming trapped and causing damage. If these weepholes become blocked, then it can cause water to back up and find an alternative escape route, which will often mean water can track to other areas. A leak detection specialist will be aware of this and should check them to see if they are playing a part in your issue.
Cracking is generally caused by movement, so there is likely some movement in the foundation of the wall. A renderer would be able to assist with reapplying the render, but if there is a larger underlying issue with the wall, you'd likely need to speak with a bricklayer or landscaping contractor for assistance stabilising the wall prior to rendering.
