Should You Call a Window and Door Doctor?
Window and door maintenance and repair benefits home owners by lowering energy bills while also increasing comfort and security. Many homeowners have been renovating their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic to enhance their living conditions without the need to move.
Repair any rotting or loose casing as soon as you can. These are often signs of moisture damage and can be fixed with minimal cost.
Broken or cracked glass
If your window's glass has cracked or shattered you're probably wondering if you can fix it or whether you need to purchase a replacement. The answer depends on many factors, including the severity of the break and the cause and the type of glass that is used in your windows.
In most cases, it's simpler to repair a damaged window than replace it. The trick is to determine what caused the crack and quickly act so it doesn't worsen. This is particularly important when it comes to fractures caused by impact, such as those caused by a lawnmower or a child's ball.
Take out any windowsills that are still in its frame or lying on the floor. Wear heavy duty work gloves, and wear protective eyewear. If there is any glaze that is holding the pieces together, use a putty knife or chisel to gently remove the pieces.
After you have removed the glass shards, tidy up the area and dispose of them in a responsible way. Always wear gloves that are protected and closed-toe shoes when handling glass or mirror pieces because they can be extremely sharp. You can also create a cordon around an area, close the door and tell your family members not to enter the room until broken pieces of glass have been cleaned.
Examine the frame, muntins and mullions that hold the glass pane. This is because corrosion and rust could cause damage to these parts and cause problems for the windows.
If you're worried about the long-term damage to your window, you should think about replacing the window with tempered glass. Tempered glass is more durable than ordinary glass and shatters into tiny granular pieces that are less likely cause injury than sharp shards of traditional glass.
If you're not comfortable tackling the job yourself or if it would be more cost-effective to replace your window, call an experienced window and door doctor to help with repairs or replacement. Window and Door Doctors are skilled in repairing and replacing windows and doors damaged by vandalism, storms or other events. They can also help you choose between a quick fix and more extensive window replacement.
Frame Damaged
It's not surprising that the window frame gets damaged. Some damages are cosmetic and easily repaired, but others like damaged frames could be more serious and must be addressed quickly to avoid more expensive repairs or replacement.
Wood rot around window frames can be ugly and cause many issues like mold and fungus. These can affect your home's health and value. To fix this issue, start by removing any weatherstripping and then cutting away the wood that is decaying with a chisel or saw. After removing the damaged frame portion you can purchase the kit at a hardware shop or online that includes all the necessary tools and parts to repair it.
Another common problem that needs to be addressed is cracks caused by moisture on the window frames. This is particularly important because North Carolina often experiences high humidity levels, which could cause wood to expand and shrink as it absorbs and releases moisture. If wood cracks, it allows moisture into your home. This could be detrimental to your house's structure as well as your possessions and even your family's health.
Difficulty opening or closing the window is another common problem that could have different reasons. The issue could be due to a buildup of dirt or dust that makes it harder for the sash to move, or the frame itself could have suffered some type of structural damage that has impacted its ability to properly open and close.
If you notice evidence of damage to your window frame following an incident, it's a good idea seek advice from an expert since the damage could be so severe that a complete replacement of the window is the best or only option. You could be able file a claim with your insurance company to pay the cost of repairs or replacements.
Damaged Seals
Window seals provide the final layer of protection against air and moisture infiltration, which could damage windows. They also aid in helping to keep the temperature of your home at a comfortable level and reducing energy costs. If you notice that your window seals are failing or you've noticed an increase in your energy bills, it's essential to fix the issue before it gets worse.
The glass in your windows, whether they are single-paned or double-paned is held in place by a spacer made of aluminum and a polyurethane that is sandwiched between the two panes. The constant temperature fluctuations in the Phoenix sun can cause the material to break down in time, allowing humidity and air to seep through the panes. If the window is made up of inert gas, the increased insulation value is lost as well. This is the primary reason why windows that has a leaky seal will begin to get smoky.
If you believe that the seals on your windows aren't working, it is best to follow the maintenance instructions given by the manufacturer. It may seem obvious but many homeowners overlook this step. Regularly wiping your windows down using the cleaning agent suggested will prolong the life of your windows and keep them working at their peak.
A drafty feeling is one of the indicators that your window seal has failed, especially during a cold winter's day. The cold air outside is dragging warm air out of your window. Similarly, if you notice that your energy costs are suddenly higher than usual without any explanation, your windows may be letting in too much cold air.
Another sign that your window seals are breaking down is if you can see moisture in the glass of your windows. This moisture can be thin lines of clear water or a permanent cloud that blocks your view. The condensation between the glass is the result of an infiltration crack caused by the window seal breaking, and it can usually be fixed by sealing the aluminum spacer inside with polyurethane.
Damaged Muntins or Mullions
The wood strips used to separate the panes of single-pane glass may be real or fake. Window repair experts can repair them if damaged. They will remove the glass, clean and scrape the area, and then rebuild any broken or rotted muntins or mullions. In many instances this is a much cheaper option than replacing the entire window.
While the damage to your window frame due to heavy rain, snow melt or humidity is obvious, less obvious problems are often overlooked. A crack in the dripcap (the cap made of metal that protects the top of the window frame) could allow moisture to enter the home. This can lead to rot and mould. A sash cord that is damaged can also lead to draughts and rattles when the window is open or closed.
A window that is leaking or that causes draughts may be expensive to repair, especially in the event that the water leaks through the wall. upvc window doctor near me is essential to get any leaks repaired as soon as they are detected. Draughts are often caused by defective hinges in old windows or by poorly designed windows that allow air in. Window and Door Doctor can repair draughts and leaks without having to replace the entire window.
If the casing around your window is loose cracking, rotting, cracked or is completely missing the casing will need to be replaced. This isn't a job for an amateur because the wall may be in disrepair and require a complete reconstruction too. The casing that is loose is ugly but, more importantly it allows moisture and air to enter the home, which reduces energy efficiency. It can be replaced with primed wood exterior casing, found at many home centers or low-maintenance vinyl or PVC products. They are more resistant to weather than wood and will not need to be painted regularly to maintain the integrity. No matter the material, all replacement casing should be treated with an exterior-grade paint.