Browse Forums DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair Re: How to fix the crack? 4Aug 13, 2019 9:35 am arcadelt baron33 There is a vertical crack in my 3-year-old house -- just outside the windolw frame Am not sure if it is servious? The room is facing north so it maybe due to the heat / cold happens to the metal frame? as there is one small crack that start from the corner of window What material is under the render? baron33 Then my 2nd question will be what I should do? If I use gap filler -- would it be any further cracks that occur again? You would want to use a flexible filler especially suitable for large gaps; however, while it should the job and adjust with minor movement, if it becomes more significant, there is always a chance it will occur again. BTW, all builds have a seven year warranty, so if you determine it is more than superficial then you could make a claim on the builder. Thanks, so you mean this is common for minor movment? -- but I should keep monitoring in case the cracks become bigger? Re: How to fix the crack? 5Aug 13, 2019 11:16 am It's a common occurrence, particularly due to the details you mention - orientation & difference of materials. They shouldn't have rendered hard-up to the window. All frames have flexible rubber seals (google bulb seal), that allow for a crucial gap, while not allowing weather and or creatures in your home. Houses move, things cracks. But we should know where they're going to crack, and allow for it. You'll see designated gaps (articulation joints) in your driveway, footpath, render, brickwork etc. where things can move/crack a bit without breaking something. It's not the end of the world, but that shouldn't have happened. The builder *should* repair it, and without much fuss. I imagine they'll take the fastest & cheapest option, which is to cut the render on a 45deg angle, allowing a gap, and then use colour-matched silicon. No power tools! they'll hit the window frame, and make the problem worse. Re: How to fix the crack? 6Aug 13, 2019 1:44 pm CarnTheHawks It's a common occurrence, particularly due to the details you mention - orientation & difference of materials. They shouldn't have rendered hard-up to the window. All frames have flexible rubber seals (google bulb seal), that allow for a crucial gap, while not allowing weather and or creatures in your home. Houses move, things cracks. But we should know where they're going to crack, and allow for it. You'll see designated gaps (articulation joints) in your driveway, footpath, render, brickwork etc. where things can move/crack a bit without breaking something. It's not the end of the world, but that shouldn't have happened. The builder *should* repair it, and without much fuss. I imagine they'll take the fastest & cheapest option, which is to cut the render on a 45deg angle, allowing a gap, and then use colour-matched silicon. No power tools! they'll hit the window frame, and make the problem worse. I see -- the idea is that there should be some buffer between metal frame window and the render~~ Re: How to fix the crack? 7Aug 13, 2019 2:35 pm 100% When there's movement between two hard objects, "something's gotta give". So the render connection to the window frame broke, now leaving a visual eyesore, and place for pests to visit Re: How to fix the crack? 8Aug 13, 2019 2:45 pm CarnTheHawks 100% When there's movement between two hard objects, "something's gotta give". So the render connection to the window frame broke, now leaving a visual eyesore, and place for pests to visit Thanks, BTW -- how can you tell there is no seal / buffer between the window frame and the outside render??? I google some pics but can't tell it very clearly. Re: How to fix the crack? 9Aug 13, 2019 5:57 pm The bulb seal should be minimum 5mm, and the foam butts into that. Several mm of render, Inc base & top coat. Still room left over, visible seal & expansion/articulation capability. I don't believe this was done. Photos with more focus & different angles would help. An easy to view example is facade windows. The sills should be very shy of the frame underneath. The seal underneath is 10mm+, and the sill should be built another 5 below that. You can easily build-up the render to remove the gap. If you render on the seal a bit, no major issue. But render to the frame leaves no room to move, and needs cleaning off. Most likely poor foam installation and render installation, Joint covered with render, foam could be sitting on flashing. Do you have any render at house 4 9912 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair If the railhead is so poorly fixed it is also likely that the railhead is also non compliant, what about overflows and sealing railhead to the gutters?. 3 6888 |