Tracing bay-window damp to a parapet detail

Specific Defect Investigation of Bay-Window Damp, Stoke Newington, London N16

The brief

The client needed to understand dampness at the upper corner of a first-floor front bay window. Our task was to consider the water-entry mechanism and advise on an appropriate remedy.

Our work

The report identified the parapet termination above the affected corner as the probable principal entry point. An open joint beneath the capping stone and weathered joints around flashings and corbels could allow water to track through solid masonry. Weathered render was a contributing maintenance issue, while the displaced capping also needed urgent attention on safety grounds.

The outcome

We recommended securing the capping and repairing the parapet head, exposed joints, flashings and rainwater goods, followed by drying and local internal repair. The report explained that external wall insulation should not be treated as a cure for unresolved water entry. The client received a focused repair strategy addressing the likely route of moisture.

Scope and limitations

• The parapet termination is identified as the probable principal entry point, not a proven single source.
• The account describes the issued repair strategy; no completed repair is claimed.

The client is identified here by role only, and the exact address is not published.