I have just noticed a damp ingress on my bay window. It appears to be coming from where the brick meets the window frame but I know little about building so thought I'd chase some expertise.
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It feels mildly moist I would say. On the areas where the paint is disturbed. This is behind the curtain so I only noticed it today by chance. Below the bay window is fine and dry. The pattern runs all the way to the window and has clearly been spreading from there. For information purposes I had the wall ties, re-pointing and cavity insulation done in 2010. I don't know that any of those things could factor here but thought I'd mention it. I have heard of cavity insulation causing problems but my issue is isolated to the window. There are holes in my brickwork from where the wall ties were done. I was assured water couldn't ingress through these holes. But again I don't have damp anywhere else.

Any advice appreciated.

@Discodaz might have a nugget of wisdom, or @123hotchef actually there are quite a few handy-buildery people on here

Check window seals on exterior.look carefully,a small gap can cause big problems.
Check pointing round bay window,if all seems good then a water seal will help.
Check canopy of bay assuming its a bow fronted bay.
Drainage in windows could be blocked but I think you would see water evidence internally if that's the case.

Take a look at these first then report back

Daz

As Daz says check all round the window outside. It may pay to reseal it to be on the safe side. Might not hurt to remove that window trim to , or at least gently lever it forward so you can see what's behind. As it's round the window only I'd be suspecting a potential sealant issue, can't see the wall insulation causing that. Don't suppose you have any idea how long it's been doing it?

My only reservation for window seals is the paint blistering is to the front of the reveal,this is causing me to suspect either the canopy or pointing.but..window seals are deffinitly the first port of call.

Daz

seen it before with that cavity wall insulation where it bridges the gap between the lintel and interior wall and the damp tracks down

Enlarging the photo shows damp spours ove the internal frame...this could be down to pure lack of ventilation or the extruded sash gaskets failing.it could also be slightly warped on the sash..any droughts?

Daz

As lee said..cavity wall insulation only lasts ten years that I know before it breaks down..but..Cwi,does actually create problems..especially loft insulation..I've seen this a million times where the ventilation is poor and the insulation sweats badly

Daz

Don't get me wrong I've seen cavity wall insulation cause damp patches but it's just the location to the window that makes me think seals...how old are the windows?

The Windows are old. Kind of my last thing on the list to do. It's a double bay and no damp issues on first floor so I'm thinking it's not the canopy of the bay? Pointing is good. Seals between window and brick, not so much. Peeling and cracked.

The curtain obstructs this from view when open and closed so it could have been doing it for a few years but could be very recent.

I'd get the sealant outside redone Luke, especially if its peeling and cracking, Silicone is cheap enough and hopefully it will cure it. As Daz says the smallest gap in silicone can let a lot of water in.

Yep,that's the problem by the sound of things..also if moisture is getting in,the curtains will absorb this and exaggerate the situation.

Daz

Hhhhmmm very interesting. Nice one. It seems like the obvious place to start to me, but as I said I'm no builder. I'll get all the seals re done and also check the canopy anyway. I've got a ladder big enough to get up there.

In modern living it could just be condensation that occurs on the windows and as daz says is absorbed by the curtain which then sits against the wall escalating the problem. So it's water that's already in the house not any extra getting in.

I appreciate all the feedback. Feel like I have a direction to go in. Even if it is condensation I clearly need to address the seals.

I did wonder that myself Ben, but wasn't wholly convinced

It still makes me chuckle that we can get this sort of guidance and advice from an L200 forum. It's funny how my brain went "right Google, get some companies in to look at it, maybe a specialist damp surveyor, oh and ask the forum!"

thats the thing about this place...theres a wealth of knowledge on all subjects!

Well,like any forum,we all have our given professions..it's always wise to ask..

Good luck.

DAZ

Well done guys
If any member wants advice on lazing around drinking alcohol and chilling out and eating everything that's bad for you
Please feel free to ask me

Al

I would say you have water ingress from above and it's collecting at the bottom and wicking through the wall. Check the flashing is sound and sealed where the bay meets the house. (Ex builder/carpenter 1985-2007 )