Should You Call a Window and Door Doctor?
Window and door maintenance and repair benefits home owners by lowering energy bills, increasing comfort, and security. Many homeowners have been renovating their homes in the COVID-19 pandemic to enhance their living conditions without having to relocate.
Repair any damaged or loose casing as soon as you can. These are typically signs of moisture intrusion and are able to be fixed at a minimal cost.
Cracked or Broken Glass
You might be wondering if you can repair the crack or broken window glass or do you need to replace it. The answer depends on many factors such as the severity of the crack and the type of glass used in your window.
In the majority of cases, it is easier to fix a damaged or cracked window than replace it. The trick is to figure out what caused the crack and then act swiftly to stop it from becoming worse. This is particularly important for fractures from impact, such as a rock thrown by the lawn mower or an object thrown by children.
Before you can repair a broken or cracked window You'll need to take out any fragments that remain in the frame or lying on the ground. Wear gloves that are heavy duty and wear protective eyewear. If there is any glazing holding the pieces in place Use a putty knife or chisel to gently release them.
After you have removed any shards of glass Make sure you clean the area and dispose of them appropriately. Wear gloves and closed-toe shoes when handling glass or mirrors, since they can be extremely sharp. You can also secure an area, shut the door and tell your family members to not go into the room until the broken pieces of glass have been cleaned.
It is also a good idea to check the condition of the frame as well as muntins or mullions that help support the glass pane. These parts can be damaged by corrosion and rust which can cause more problems with the windows.
If you're worried about the long-term damage to your window, you should look into replacing the window with glass that is tempered. Tempered glass is more durable than regular glass, and it breaks into smaller pieces of granular material which are less likely to break than jagged shards to cause injury.
If you're not sure if you're able to tackle the job yourself, or if it will be more cost-effective to replace your window, contact an experienced window and door doctor to help with repairs or replacement. Window & door doctors are skilled at repairing or replacing windows and doors that have been damaged by storms, vandalism, or other incidents. They can assist you in deciding whether an immediate fix is better than a larger window replacement.
Damaged Frame
It's not surprising that the window frame gets damaged. Some damages are cosmetic and can be easily repaired, however other damage such as rotted frames can be serious and must be dealt with immediately to avoid costly repairs or replacement.
Wood rot on window frames can be ugly and cause many issues like mold and fungus. They can impact the health of your home and its value. To remedy this issue take off any weatherstripping prior to cutting away the decayed wood by using a chisel, or saw. Once you have removed the damaged section of the frame, you can use an online kit or in a hardware store that includes all the equipment and parts you need to replace it.
Another common issue that must be addressed is cracks caused by moisture on the window frames. This is crucial because North Carolina experiences high levels of humidity that can cause the wood to expand and contract as it absorbs and releases moisture. If the wood cracks, it allows moisture to leak into your home, which could be damaging to the structure of your home as well as your possessions and even the health of your family.
The difficulty of opening or closing the window is a common issue that can have several different reasons. The issue could be caused by a buildup in dust or dirt, which creates a problem for the sash or frame to move.
If your window frame shows obvious signs of damage following an event, it's an excellent idea to consult an expert. the glass doctor may be so severe that a total window replacement might be the only alternative. In accordance with your insurance policy, you may be eligible to file an insurance claim to cover repair or replacement costs.
Seals that have been damaged
Window seals provide the final layer of protection against moisture and air infiltration, which can cause damage to windows. They also help maintain the temperature in the room and help reduce energy costs. If you observe that your window seals aren't working or you've noticed an increase in your energy bills, it is crucial to address the issue before it worsens.
Whether your windows are single or double pane, the glass in them is held in place by an inner aluminum spacer and polyurethane, which sandwich the two panes of tempered or annealed glass. The temperature cycling in the Phoenix sun can cause the material to degrade over time, allowing air and humidity to pass through the panes. If the window is made up of inert gas, its increased insulation value is lost as well. This is the primary reason why windows with a damaged seal can begin to get smoky.
If you believe that the seals on your windows aren't working you should follow the maintenance instructions given by the manufacturer. It might seem obvious, however, many homeowners neglect this step. Regularly wiping your windows down using the cleaning agent suggested will prolong the life of your windows and ensure they are operating at their best.
Some signs that the window seal is not working include a drafty feeling particularly on a cold winter day. This is because the warm air in your home is being pulled out of the window by the cold air outside. Similarly, if you notice that your energy bills are suddenly higher than normal without a reason the windows could be letting in too much cold air.
The presence of water between the glass panes of your windows is a further sign that your seals are not working. It could be an elongated line of clear water or a long-lasting haze that blocks your view. The condensation between the glass is a result of an infiltration breach caused by the window seal breaking, and it can usually be fixed by sealing the aluminum spacer inside with polyurethane.
Muntins and Mullions Damaged
The wood strips used to separate the panes of single-pane glass can be fake or real. Window repair experts can repair them if they're damaged. They will remove all the glass, clean and scrape the area before re-building any muntins or mullias that are rotted or damaged. In many cases this is a much more cost-effective solution than replacing the entire window.
Sometimes, the less obvious issues are often ignored. While damage to your frame can be evident from the force of rain snow melt, humidity, other issues might not be as evident. A crack in the dripcap (the cap made of metal that is placed on top of the frame) could allow moisture to enter the home. This could lead to mould and rot. A damaged sash cord could also lead to draughts and rattles when the window is opened or closed.
A window that is leaking or that is causing draughts can be costly to fix, especially in the event that the water leaks through walls. The leaks must be fixed as soon as is possible. Draughts are often caused by faulty hinges in old windows or by poorly designed windows that allow air in. Window & Door Doctor is able to repair leaks and draughts without having to replace the entire window.
If the casing around your window is loosened, cracked, rotting or missing entirely, it will need to be replaced. This is not a job that can be accomplished by a novice. The surrounding wall may be in poor condition and may require to be rebuilt. Loose casing is unattractive, but more importantly it allows air and moisture to enter the home, which reduces energy efficiency. The majority of home centers offer primed wood exterior casings, or low-maintenance vinyl or PVC products. These are more weatherproof than wood and will not need to be painted as often to maintain the integrity. All replacement casings need to be painted using exterior grade paint, irrespective of the material.