Why Window Repair Is Necessary

A pebble thrown by a lawnmowers or a heavy drink set on a glass-topped coffee table are one of the many things that can cause cracks in window glass. A damaged window may allow wind, rain, bugs and other undesirable elements to get into your home.

There are ways to repair damaged glass and prevent it from spreading.

Water Damage

If water is seeping through your windows replacing them is typically necessary. The moisture can cause damage to the wood in your window frame and cause the frame to rot. It can also reduce the energy efficiency of your window. A reputable window company will replace your windows without damaging the structural integrity of your current frames.

Wood rot is another issue that affects both the interior and the exterior of your window. If you have windows made of wood with rotting areas, it may be possible to repair them, if they're not terribly damaged. If the rot has reached the mullions and muntins, (the parts of the window frame that hold your glass panes), you may need to replace the windows. This can cost more than a new set of windows.

Another issue that often requires replacement is a damaged seal between the double glazed window repairs panes of your windows. It could be a result of debris or condensation between the two panes, or it could be a sign that the insulation in your window has been damaged. Fortunately, a lot of modern windows have the insulation built-in. This means they can't experience the same issues as older, multi-paned windows.

Cracked, loose, rotting, or missing the casing around your window is ugly and could lead to other issues. A damaged casing alone doesn't suggest that it's time to replace your windows, however. You might be able to sand it and repaint it to enhance its appearance in accordance with the condition of the wood surrounding it and its condition.

If the exterior casing of your home is in poor condition it is possible to apply a fresh coat of weather-resistant exterior paint to prevent moisture from causing damage to the window. Alternatively, you can install new exterior casing to provide an attractive and practical improvement to your home.

Chipped or Peeling Paint

Window frames and sills are often in close proximity to the elements and suffer from sunlight and rain. The peeling of paint around windows is caused near By moisture, and is particularly so when exposed wood is involved. The water seeps into the wood and when it evaporates, the pressure under the film of paint causes it to loose adhesion and peel. Moisture may come from condensation in the interior or from snow and rain outside. It is essential to sand and scrape the surface immediately you notice the paint chipping. Some skilled painters apply a water repellent preservative on the wood, and then thin boiling oil prior to painting. This will help slow moisture penetration into the wood, which helps the new paint to hold better.

If the paint begins to peel off and cracks appear, it's time to fix your window. To capture any paint that might stray on the surface, put a drop cloth or tarp on the area before applying a fresh coat. Remove any loose paint with a utility knife. Be careful not to cut the wood underneath or cut into the sheathing. Let the area dry completely after cleaning it thoroughly.

When the area is dry then sand it once more using a fine-grit sanding block. This will make the surface ready for primer and create a surface that is ready to receive paint. If you're working with lead-based paints, be sure to use the appropriate safety equipment. Clean the sanded surface and tape off any other surfaces like baseboards to shield them from paint.

Then paint and prime according to the instructions on the specific paint tin you're using. Make sure to adhere to the curing and temperature guidelines for the paint as they differ according to the type of paint. Make sure you paint the exterior with an exterior-grade paint, and the interior with an interior-grade.

Repairing chipped or peeling painted frames is a less expensive alternative to replacing frames. If your window frames are unable to be repaired, it may be worth upgrading to newer energy efficient windows.

Cracked Glass

A broken window leaves your home vulnerable to winds and rain, as well as bugs. If the crack or break isn't severe enough you can repair it yourself. You should address small cracks right away before they get more severe due to temperature fluctuations or time.

There are a myriad of methods that claim to make broken glass invisible, this is a tall task for a DIY. A tiny crack could create a weak spot in the glass, which could eventually lead to more breaks and a costly replacement. The best solution is to cover the crack with a piece of plastic. This covers the crack from the outside and prevents moisture or air from seeping through, which can harm the frame or seals around the windows.

Put on your safety glasses and gloves before taking the broken glass out of the frame. Use a utility blade scraper, chisel, or scraper to cut off the old glazing points that secure the pane. Also, you should make use of the knife to pull out any wood that's unfinished, then clean and seal the area with the oil of linseed or a clear wood sealer.

Then, you can apply epoxy to glue the glass back into place. This is the longest-lasting method, but it can also give your glass a more robust look. Select the double-cylinder dispenser that dispensing resin and hardener equally. This lets you precisely control how much epoxy is poured onto the window, which helps ensure a good seal.

If you have double or triple-pane windows be certain that the gas fills are intact when you reset the glass. These gases are essential for insulating and keeping the heat inside your home during the winter months, and outside in summer. If you take the window off, the gases will escape and cause it to lose its energy efficiency. You can replace the gas fills using the same method that is used to repair cracks in other kinds of glass.