I've just discovered that my mother has been robbed --- sorry, I meanhad her windows replaced --- by those bottom-feeding scum at Anglian.In the gable end of her 1960's bungalow is a twelve foot long by sixfoot high picture window. The replacement window (like the one it'sreplaced) is in 3x four foot wide sections.Since it was replaced a fortnight ago, a triangle of brickwork 12 footacross by ten courses high has detached itself from the rest of thewall along the mortar lines. At its widest, the gap that's opened upis 6 to 7mm wide.I imagine that, when confronted, they'll say that it just needsrepointing. Apart from looking crap if the mortar lines vary by up to7mm, it seems to me that it needs a lintel installing and rebuildingproperly, and that they shouldn't have let this happen.The original wooden window was replaced with UPVC by a local companyabout 20 years ago and there was never any problem with movingbrickwork.Also, if you rap lightly on the pane at one end, the pane at the otherwobbles visibly back and forth, suggesting the whole thing is asflimsy as shit.Am I worrying unnecessarily about this or does it need major buildingwork to correct?Is it their responsibility?Is it worth contacting the BCO?Additionally, around the nine windows and two doors they've replaced,they've smashed bricks around every single opening. Prior to this,the brickwork was in perfect condition - 40-odd years old, weatheredbut whole and entire. Now there are great chunks missing out of thebricks where some ape has used a crowbar. In some cases, there's athird of the brick face missing and there're up to half a dozen bricksdamaged round each window. I can't see any way that these can ever berepaired successfully. Sure you could drill them out and findmatching bricks but they'll still stand out. Is there any way thiseyesore can be minimised?Again, am I being unreasonable in thinking that you could remove theprevious twenty-year old UPVC units cleanly by simply taking out...

mike coughed up some electrons that declared:AFAICS they've totally screwed it up without excuse. I would not be happyunless the work was rectified and I don't mean stuffing some mortar in thegap.Maybe, especially for an opinion on the lack of proper support of thebrickwork.1) Complaint to Anglian in writing and follow up with one phone call. If nopromise of action in 7 days;2) Call FENSA. This is the professional body for fenestration work, akin toCORGI (akin in the loosest possible way, but akin nonetheless).3) Trading standards + local newspaper. Maybe Watchdog (is that still on) orRogue Traders. Use these threats as appropriate to expediate 1 + 2 if theydon't roll over immediately.Can't promise a result, but it's what I'd do.Include the whole lot in 1, 2 and 3 above.Perhaps try too.CheersTim

Is this wall going to fall down thanks to Anglian Windows?

Aug 18, 2008 22 Replies

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dennis 17 years ago

My bay window has PVC coated steel tubes in the corners to support the roof. It can't cost much extra to do a proper support like this.

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Tony Bryer 17 years ago

Very old page but a guy who knows his stuff

BAY WATCH - The Disaster Movie

Independent glazing consultant Philip Rougier examines the topical and controversial subject of replacing timber bay windows with PVCu ones.

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dennis 17 years ago

The poles are bigger than 40 mm too, about 65 mm.

The actual frames are reinforced too.

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