When It's Time to Repair Windows
It's important to be careful when fixing your windows. Wear safety goggles and gloves to protect yourself from glass fragments.
A quick solution to a damaged window is to apply a plastic covering over the crack. This will prevent insects, snow, and rain from entering your home.
Cracked Glass
Glass that is cracked can make your home look less appealing and let drafts to enter. The cracks could be caused by an impact (like an impact from a soccer or baseball ball) or are a result of stress, like an abrupt change in temperature, it's important to get them repaired as soon as you can to avoid further damage and ensure your windows are working correctly.
Use clear tape to cover the cracks in your window if it's not damaged. It's a cheap and simple solution that provides protection from dust, water bugs and other particles and keep out the weather.
If the crack is becoming bigger or is deep, it is advised to seek advice from a professional. A professional glazier can determine the cause of a crack and recommend the best repair procedure.
Impact cracks are the most common window cracks. They typically occur when a solid object strikes your window with enough force that it cracks. These cracks usually have an explosion of lines and broken pieces. They can be hazardous if they become loose. If you have
double glazed window repairs-pane windows this crack could weaken the gas layer between the panes, which can affect the efficiency of your window's energy use.
Stress cracks are another kind of crack that develops over time because of extreme temperature fluctuations and other environmental factors. These cracks usually begin near the edges of your window and eventually enlarge into full-blown breaks.
A pressure crack is a more severe crack, but it can still be fixed. This is most often an arc of curvy lines that extends across one or more sides of your window and could be the result of high or low air pressure, which could cause expansion or contraction of the glass.
If you're willing to go a step beyond nail polish and tape there are other products available for repairing cracks in your window glass. A product like Glass Repair Film is a little more expensive, but will provide more protection and longevity for your windows. If you prefer to go the DIY option epoxy is a sturdy adhesive that can be used to fill in cracks to help stop further damage and make your window look like it has never had cracks in the first place!
Leaking Windows
If you see an area of dampness beneath your window, or notice that the wood around it is soft or decaying, it might be time for a windows repair. Mold and mildew thrive in humid conditions, which can lead to various issues within your home. They can cause indoor air pollution, sagging drywall and even increase the severity of allergies. If left unchecked they could cause structural damage to the home.
If the water is coming from outside or is visible through the frame, it's a good idea to seek out an expert to assist you with the repairs right away. Leaking windows are one of the main causes of mold and structural damage and should not be left untreated.
In many instances caulking is a great option to stop leaks. Before applying the caulking, you'll have to clean the area and take off any caulking that is in place.
You'll also have to inspect the weep holes in the frame to ensure they're not clogged with debris. They are designed to drain off excess rainwater, however they can become clogged with insect corpses and other debris as time passes.
Examine the seal between your double-paned window and the frame. This will ensure an airtight seal between the glass panes and make windows more efficient. The seal may wear away with time and let water leak into the house.
Water stains on the ceiling and walls are another sign of leaks. The drywall turns discolored when it is soaked with water. You might also find peeling paint caused by the effects of the water weakening its adhesive properties and tearing it away from the wall.
Faux Muntins & Mullions
In the past, muntins and mullions (or glazing bars in the
UK) separated and held panes of glass in traditional multi-pane windows. Since bigger expanses of glass with tempered coatings became available following WWII, they fell out of fashion. Today, they're only used as a decorative feature in some older homes.
Sometimes just a small or a single group of these wooden supports could get damaged by rain or wind and cause cracks to the window. Repairs can be made to the majority of these brittle or decaying components.
First take a rag and clean the affected areas. Make use of ammonia-based cleaning products that doesn't leave any residue. Remove any rotting or loose parts and use an exacta-knife reduce the intersections between horizontal and vertical painted window muntins. After you've trimmed the intersections, you can tape off the lower part of the window frame using painter's tape. Now, you're able to apply a thick coat of white paint, paying particular focus on the areas that were lightly coated in the first pass. Allow the paint to dry completely before taking off the tape and applying another coat.
If the issue is more serious such as an hourglass-shaped crack in middle of the window, it's better to replace the sash. In these instances, you'll need to look for a replacement window that is compatible with the existing window in both the design and size.
To save money you can also put in an attached grid window. These windows have a full pane of glass with a series of muntins glued to the surface creating a divided appearance. They're not as energy-efficient as traditional windows, however.
If you're looking for an easy method to modernize your windows, consider installing a new drip cap in order to stop water from getting into the window frame. The majority of home centers sell drip caps in aluminum for about $20. They're much simpler to install than windowsash replacements and come with the same functions as a genuine mullion or muntin.
Broken Sashes & Frames
A broken window sash should be a sign that you should contact a professional. If left unchecked the broken sash may cause water leaks, wood rot and more serious problems with the frame and sill. If you've got a damaged sash, it is recommended to replace it right away to ensure that the
window repair near me is sealed.
The problem is often caused by worn-out or poorly installed cords. It is easy to replace these cords in the majority of double-hung window models. To begin, you'll need to remove the tabs made of metal that secure the sash. To do this push up on one side (it does not matter which side) of the sash, and then pull it towards the opposite side to remove it from the window frame. You'll need to remove the parting strip that is what separates the sash from other side so that you can get to the area where the sash cords are.
Once you've removed the sash, you must be sure to look at its metal tabs and compare them to those of your new sash. If they're not the same, it will be hard to insert the new one in its place and affect how the sash functions. This can be corrected by placing the tabs in their proper positions on your new window.
You'll need to check your window frame, too for any damage or rot. It's recommended to do this regularly as wood shrinks and becomes less durable over time, especially with exposure to the elements. It is important to repair any visible damage as quickly as you can, to avoid a more serious issue.
If your window frames are in bad condition, you'll need to treat them with a homemade preservative created using half mineral spirits and half boiled linseed oil. After the treatment has dried, you are able to refinish your frames with the finest latex paint.