Leasehold Flat Single glazing aluminium frames condensation help!

Gecco · 5 Dec 2012 at 18:35

Please see the pictures:

We have this every year during winter time. The wall has been filled in with polyfilla and repainted during summer and this is what it looks now:

Any ideas on how to solve this ? Speaking to the freehold managing company they just said that we are not allowed to change the stupid single glazed aluminium frames as the whole block of flats need to look the same ?!

would secondary glazing work or does this look like the wall is is causing this.

We have aluminium single glazed windows all over but it only does this in that room in the corner. Already bought a dehumidifier which doesn't help either.

TL;DR
Damn look that condensation - what do ?

panyan · 5 Dec 2012 at 18:37

looks like damp to me

Strife212 · 5 Dec 2012 at 18:39

Already bought a dehumidifier which doesn't help either.

Is it an electric one? It should help.

Gecco · 5 Dec 2012 at 18:41

yes it's a delonghi and fills up everyday. I have it running 24/7.

Beans on toast Dave · 5 Dec 2012 at 18:43

some thin plastic panels over the plasterboard?

repaint it with gloss paint?

GAC · 5 Dec 2012 at 18:48

honestly the only way to solve this is to have the windows replaced. we had metal single glazed a very long time ago and all anyone would say is "its damp, open your windows and stick your heating on"

funny ever since they got replaced we'v never had any issues with this mystery damp.

physichull · 5 Dec 2012 at 19:01

Frustrating situation. I had a similar experience in a rented house I lived in a until a few months ago, where throughout autumn and winter there would be condensation streaming down a particular window in the house. It was at the top of the stairs and was single glazed with a rotten wooden frame. The landlord wasn't at all bothered, even though it was damaging her paintwork every day. I had a dehumidifier and wiped the window down every day but to no avail. Glad I am rid of that place now though. It was freezing cold during winter and if you had the slightest wind, the windows rattled as the draught breezed through.

Gecco · 6 Dec 2012 at 11:41

Thanks for all the comments/suggestions.

I guess I try the secondary glazing and gloss painting that part of the wall.

There is 30k left on the Mortgage and the flat has been valued 100K when we took out the remortgage 2 years ago.
I want to pay it off before we buy a house to get a decend LTV rate so I guess I have to live with it a few more winters

#Chri5# · 6 Dec 2012 at 11:50

Whilst it doesn't fix the root of the problem, a special paint for damp walls might last longer eg Polycell One Coat Damp Seal

LOAM · 6 Dec 2012 at 11:56

Are you a share holder in the company that holds the Freehold of the building ?

If so its time to have a residency meeting and see how many other people are suffering the same issue. If you are a share holder then the management company is acting on behalf of the company that you part own and thus can be directed to undertake replacement (at lease holders cost) of windows and doors across the site.

Bottom line is, its time to get to know your neighbours.

Edrof · 6 Dec 2012 at 12:57

Gecco said:
the flat has been valued 10000K

Surely that's a typo!

mistercrabb · 6 Dec 2012 at 13:02

Edrof said:
Surely that's a typo!

Surely not, £10,000,000 seems a perfectly reasonable price to me :confused:

Edrof · 6 Dec 2012 at 13:03

My mistake.

Gecco · 6 Dec 2012 at 13:03

XD 100K... thanks for pointing it out

Rampart · 6 Dec 2012 at 13:12

wow, that place looks a right ****hole.

My condolences OP.

marmalade · 6 Dec 2012 at 13:18

Aluminum is notorious for this in the UK -but excellent in OZ plastic turns to chalk in sun and breaks down. It is possible to deal with the "Owner" of the property but this would take money for legal fees. The Aluminum transmits the cold immediately - you could try (when absolutely dry) gluing thin timber strips around the window covering all of the ali. I have done so with an ali patio door and successfully