Why Window Repair Is Necessary

A pebble that is thrown by the lawnmowers or a large drink set on your glass-topped table are some of the many things that can cause cracks to glass in windows. A damaged window could let rain, wind, bugs and other undesirable elements to infiltrate your home.

Although it is impossible to make a damaged window completely invisible however, there are ways to fix it and prevent it from spreading further.

Water Damage

If water is getting into your windows it is likely that a replacement is required. The moisture could damage the wood inside the frame of your window and cause rot. It also can reduce the energy efficiency of your windows. A reputable window replacement service can replace your frames with no damage to them.

Wood rot is a different issue that can affect both the interior and the exterior of your window. If you have wood windows with rotting areas, it may be possible to fix them if they're not too far gone. However, if the rot has reached your mullions or muntins (the parts of the frame of your window that hold the glass panes) They may have to be rebuilt. This could cost more than a new set windows.

A failed seal between double glazing-paned windows is a different issue that requires replacement. It could be a result of condensation or debris between the two panes, or it could be an indication that the insulation in your window has been damaged. Fortunately, the majority of modern windows have insulation built into them. They won't have the same problems as older windows that have multiple panes.

The ugly casings, like ones that are loose, cracked or rotten, or even missing, could cause other problems. A damaged casing doesn't necessarily mean that it's time to change your windows, though. Depending on the condition of your casing as well as the surrounding wood you might be able to sand and paint it to enhance its appearance.

If the exterior casing of your home is damaged it is possible to apply a new coat of weather-resistant exterior paint to keep moisture from damaging the window. Alternately, you can put in new exterior casing to give an attractive and functional improvement to your home.

Paint chipped or peeling

Window frames and sills are often in close proximity to the elements and suffer from rain and sunlight. Peeling paint around windows is mostly caused by moisture, and is particularly so if exposed wood is involved. Water seeps through the wood and when it evaporates, the pressure below the film of paint causes the paint to peel. Moisture may come from condensation in the interior, or snow and rain outside. Whatever the cause, it's important to scrape and sand the wood and then repaint as soon as the paint starts to chip. Some meticulous painters add a water-resistant preservative or thinned boiled linseed oil the wood before painting to reduce the penetration of moisture and make the new paint hold better.

If the paint begins to chip off the window, it's time for repairing your window. Before applying a new coat, place a drop cloth or tarp on the area you're working on to catch any loose drops of paint. Get rid of any paint that has fallen off using a utility blade. Be careful not to gouge the wood below or cut through the sheathing beneath. Allow the area to dry completely after thoroughly cleaning it.

After the area is dry, sand the area again with a fine sanding pad. This will prepare the surface for primer and create a substrate that is ready for paint. If you're working with lead-based paint ensure you're using the proper safety equipment. Tape off any surfaces that are near to the sanded region like baseboards. This will shield them from paint.

Then paint and prime according to the instructions on the specific tin of paint that you're using. Make sure you follow the temperature and curing guidelines on the paint can as they will differ depending on the type. Also, make sure to paint the exterior surface with an exterior-grade paint, and the interior with an interior-grade.

Window replacements can be expensive However, service repairing damaged or peeling paint is inexpensive and a good alternative to replacing the entire frame. If your window frames are damaged beyond repair however, it could be worth upgrading them to newer, more energy efficient windows.

Glass that has cracked

A broken window could leave your home exposed to the elements of rain, wind bugs, and other unwanted critters. You may be tempted to just replace the glass, but you could also fix it yourself if there isn't too big of crack or break. It's recommended to address small cracks as soon they happen, before they become worse as time passes or temperature changes.

There are a variety of ways to make broken glasses appear as if they are not there. However this isn't something that can be completed by a DIYer. Even a tiny chip can cause a crack in the glass, which can cause more breaks and costly replacement. A good solution is to cover the crack with a piece of plastic. The plastic covers the crack from the outside, and prevents air or moisture from getting through. This could cause damage to the frames or seals around windows.

Before putting on the plastic and putting on your gloves and safety glasses and take the broken piece of glass from its frame. You'll need to use an utility knife, scraper, or chisel to remove any old glazing points that hold the pane into the frame. You should also make use of the knife to pull out any wood that's unfinished, then clean and seal the area with Linseed oil or a clear wood sealer.

Then, you can apply epoxy to glue the glass back into place. This option is the most time-consuming but it will give your glass a more robust appearance. Select the double-cylinder epoxy dispenser that dispensing resin and hardener in a similar way. This allows you to precisely control the amount of epoxy that is applied to the window, which can help to ensure a strong seal.

When resetting double- or triple pane windows, make sure the gas fills are in good condition. These gases are essential to insulating and keeping the heat inside your home during the winter, and outside in summer. If you take the glass off the gases escape through the crack, causing the window to lose its energy efficiency. Gas fills can be replaced by using the same procedure to repair cracks on other types of glass.