10 Things That Your Family Taught You About Window Repair

Why Window Repair Is Necessary

A pebble thrown by a lawnmowers or a heavy drink that is set on your glass-topped table are one of the many things that can cause cracks to glass in windows. A damaged window allows rain, wind insects, and other undesirable elements to enter your home.

There are ways to repair a cracked glass and stop it from spreading.

Water Damage

If water is getting into your windows, a replacement is usually necessary. Moisture can cause rot in the wood of your window frame. It can also compromise the energy efficiency of your window. A reputable upvc window repair company will replace your windows without destroying the integrity of your existing frames.

Wood rot is a different issue that can affect both the interior and exterior of your upvc window repairs. If you have wooden windows with rotting areas, it may be possible to repair them if they're not too much damaged. If the rot has spread to the mullions and muntins, (the parts of the window frame that hold your glass panes) You may have to replace them. This can cost more than a new set of windows.

Another common issue that requires replacement is a faulty seal between your double-paned windows. It could be a result of condensation or debris between the two panes or it could be an indication that your window's insulation has been damaged. Fortunately, a lot of modern windows have the insulation built into them. This means they don't face the same issues that older multi-paned windows.

The ugly casings, like ones that are damaged, cracked, loose or rotten, or even missing, can create various issues. A damaged casing does not necessarily mean that it's time to change your windows, though. Depending on the condition of your casing and the wood surrounding it you may be able to sand it and paint it to enhance its appearance.

If the exterior casing isn't in good shape and you're looking to replace it, a fresh coat of weather-resistant exterior paint might be the best solution to prevent moisture from damaging your window. Alternately, you can put in new exterior casing to provide an attractive and functional upgrade to your home.

Paint that is peeling or chipped

upvc window repairs frames and sills are typically close to the elements, so they are subject to a lot of abuse from sunlight and precipitation. The peeling of paint around windows is mostly caused by moisture, particularly when exposed wood is involved. The water seeps into the wood and when it evaporates, the pressure under the film causes it to peel and lose adhesion. The moisture can be caused by condensation in the interior, or snow and rain outside. It's important to scrape and sand the surface as soon as you see the paint begin to chip. Some skilled painters apply a water repellent preserver to the wood that is unfinished and then thinned with boiled oil before painting. This helps to slow the penetration of moisture into wood, which will help the new paint to hold better.

When paint begins to chip, it's time for a window repair. Before you apply a new coat, place a drop cloth or tarp on the area you're working to catch any scattered drops of paint. Get rid of any paint that has fallen off using a utility knife. Be careful not to slash the wood below or cut the underlying sheathing. Allow the area to dry completely after cleaning it thoroughly.

Once the area is dry, sand it again with a fine sanding pad. This will make the surface ready for primer and create a substrate ready to accept paint. If you're working with lead-based paint make sure you use the appropriate safety equipment. Clean the sanded area and tape off any other surfaces like baseboards to protect them from paint.

You can then prime and paint according to instructions on the tin that you are using. Be sure to follow the temperature and curing guidelines on the paint, as these will vary by type. Finally, be sure to paint the exterior with an exterior-grade paint and the interior with an interior grade.

Repairing damaged or peeling painted frames is a more affordable alternative to replacing frames. If your window frames cannot be repaired, it might be worth upgrading to newer energy efficient windows.

Cracked Glass

A broken window can leave your home vulnerable to wind and rain, as well as bugs. You might be tempted to just replace the glass, but you could repair it yourself if there isn't too big of crack or break. It's recommended to address small cracks as soon they occur, before they become worse as time passes or temperature changes.

While there are numerous methods to make damaged glass invisible, this is a tall order for a DIY project. Even a tiny chip could cause a weak spot to the glass, which could cause more breaks and a costly replacement. A good solution is to cover the crack with plastic. This covers the crack from the outside and stops moisture or air from seeping through, which could damage the frame or seals around the windows.

Put on your safety glasses and gloves before taking the broken glass off the frame. You'll need a utility knife, scraper, or chisel to remove any glazing points that hold the pane in the frame. Utilize the knife to cut away any bare wood, then apply linseed or a clear wood sealer.

The glass can be put back in place with epoxy. This method is the longest-running, but will give your glass a more solid appearance. If you are using epoxy, select the double glazed window repairs-cylinder version that disperses the resin and hardener in equal proportion. This lets you precisely control the amount of epoxy that is poured into the window, which will help to ensure a strong seal.

If you have double or triple-pane windows, be sure that the gas fills remain intact when resetting the glass. These gases are vital to insulating and keeping warm inside your home in the winter and outside during summer. If you remove the window, the gases will escape and cause it to lose its energy efficiency. You can replace the gas fills using the same procedure used for repairing cracks in other types of glass.