PVC windows sagging - request for advice

[Rudi McAnichal]

We are considering buying a bungalow, approx 40 year old, original timber windows replaced (probably 10-15 years ago) by PVC double glazing. General condition of the property is good, but the roof is sagging above the fairly wide window openings. Presumably the original window frames were designed to support the roof trusses, and the PVC replacements are inadequate.

Is there any cheap and/or simple solution?

Is it feasible to support the ends of the trusses temporarily with a beam and Acrow-props, install an adequate lintel on joist hangers (or something similar), and straighten up the PVC windows in situ?

 

[brightspark]

exactly that. jack up with battens and acrows and fit a lintel . if its sagged that bad use a trolley jack in conjunction with the acrows to lift it back up

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Thats quite an impressive hump. If your lucky you might be able to get a steel underneath the trusses and save a lot of work. If you buy and go ahead don't forget the pics.

 

[gaz1]

i need you to take a look above the window to check if there is a gap above above the frame or if there isnt you might have to cut into the silicone above window to find out though

those large windows do sag down if the fitter didnt fit and screw them up in the middle

if it hasnt droped there then your back on with the lintel if it has cracking the middle of the frame with rubber end of hammer will push the frame back up

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Na. No chance. Look at the ceiling bud. That's the roof pushing down on the window.

 

[gaz1]

i see what you mean now you mentioned it there will be about 4-5 roof trusses above that holding the roof up as well

 

[MattF]

I'd be guessing that's a new window affair once you get a lintel sorted.

 

[Dieselman 63]

That's poor carpentry either when it's built or more likely when the window got ripped out and replaced. I can't see why there would be a need to replace the window, they recycle buildings over here and you can buy door, window units if they're taken out complete with the boxing. Best thing to do though is get an official survey done save speculation

 

[Rocketman]

Funnily enough the last time I was talking to a builder he just came off a job which was exactly the same. Sagging window in a late 60s/70s bungalow. New window, lintel + remedial work was required to the brickwork which pretty well sums up this situation.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Looking at that first pic, the 'sag' is evident most of the way up the roof. Structural engineer's report would be my first port of call.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Unless you are paying cash I assume any building society or bank etc will require an inspection / valuation and suspect properly rectifying the problem would be part of the loan requirement. I'd therefore say it will need to be professionally rectified and will substantially affect value in current state due to expense of work required.

 

[pedrobedro]

Presumably the original window frames were designed to support the roof trusses, and the PVC replacements are inadequate.

If they were somebody wants their qualifications revoking. If that hasn't got a lintel in it would have been rubble when the original window came out, I think you will find it's just a poor quality window with not enough bracing.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

If they were somebody wants their qualifications revoking. If that hasn't got a lintel in it would have been rubble when the original window came out, I think you will find it's just a poor quality window with not enough bracing.

It happens even now, a work mate has an ex council house that has concrete mullions between the window frames in the bay window. They had a sales rep from a double glazing company came to quote to replace all the windows in the property and my mate stressed that he wanted the mullions removed and replaced with a complete UPVC bay window assembly, "No problem" said the rep.
Finance arranged and the fitters turned and started taking out the old windows, one of them says "When's your builder coming to fit the steels in the bay window?".
Mate says what do you mean my builder.
Turns out that the window company (Launa) don't do structural work but the sales rep hadn't told him that and my mate didn't find out till half his windows were out, it's a right mess that looks like it could end up in the courts.

 

[colnerov]

Unless you are paying cash I assume any building society or bank etc will require an inspection / valuation and suspect properly rectifying the problem would be part of the loan requirement. I'd therefore say it will need to be professionally rectified and will substantially affect value in current state due to expense of work required.

Hi, A building society survey for the mortgage is usually nothing more than a check that the building exists. If you want more then you pay more.

Colin

 

[brightspark]

if a new catnic lintels put in u may be lucky and be able to pull the window frame back up by screwing it up

Hi, A building society survey for the mortgage is usually nothing more than a check that the building exists. If you want more then you pay more.

Colin

yup daughter just got a bungalow needed rewiring new boiler and the window double glazing had broken down and nothing was said . got the money no probs

 

[brightspark]

putting a lintle over the window is no big deal just deduct from the asking price how much it would cost for a builder to do the work

 

[GW8IZR]

Hi, A building society survey for the mortgage is usually nothing more than a check that the building exists. If you want more then you pay more.

Colin

and even then the surveyor is often more interested in the relevant market value than any defect

 

[wookie]

Presumably the original window frames were designed to support the roof trusses, and the PVC replacements are inadequate.

Is there any cheap and/or simple solution?

Is it feasible to support the ends of the trusses temporarily with a beam and Acrow-props, install an adequate lintel on joist hangers (or something similar), and straighten up the PVC windows in situ?

The original wooden windows would have been structural, when they were replaced with uPvc windows a lintel should have been fitted but generally window firms don't do this because they are not builders. If you want windows fitting it's generally better to get a builder to fit them than the window firm as the builder will consider the complete building rather than just bosh in a new window.

As for supporting it whilst work is done, I'd expect scaffold planks under the ceiling supported by acrows again with planks under them to spread the load, sometimes floorboards will be lifted so the acrows can be supported by the foundations if the floor isn't strong enough.

I'm lucky that when I've replaced windows my father-in-law has helped and advised, he was a builder so he always made sure the job was done right.

The window will have to come out, I wouldn't attempt to do the job without removing it but first you need to get acrows in there to support the ceiling and roof.

 

[Rudi McAnichal]

Many thanks to everybody who responded, lots of good advice there.
The property is 50 miles away from here, in another country (often referred to as Englandshire) where we do not yet know any of the tradesmen. However, I have been given the name of a chartered building surveyor in the locality , who is said to be very good at his sort of thing, so I'll enquire what his fee would be. It sounds as though the actual work should probably be reasonably straightforward, if we do decide to buy the property.

 

[hollow]

There is no lintel over that window. It needs all the structure over it lifted and something strong inserted. The bad news is it involves some plastering remediation and tidying up. The good news is that your surveyor should catch it and you can negotiate it into your offer. Looks worse than it is imho.