Should You Call a Window and Door Doctor?
Window and door maintenance and repair benefit homeowners by reducing energy costs while also increasing comfort and security. Many homeowners have renovated their homes to add value to their property and improve their living conditions without having to move.
Repair any damaged or loose casing as soon as you can. These are usually indications of moisture intrusion and are able to be fixed at a minimal cost.
Broken or cracked glass
If your window glass has cracked or shattered, you're probably wondering whether you can fix it or if you should to invest in a new replacement. The answer will depend on a number of factors including the severity of the break and the type of glass used in your window.
Most of the time, a cracked or broken window can be repaired instead of replacing it. The trick is to determine the cause of the crack and then act swiftly to stop it from becoming worse. This is especially crucial when it comes to impact breaks such as those caused by a lawnmower or a child's ball.
Remove any windowsills that remain in its frame or lying on the floor. Wear heavy duty work gloves and wear eye protection. If there is any glazing holding the pieces in place Use a putty knife or chisel to gently release the pieces.
After you have removed any glass shards Make sure you clean the area and dispose of them appropriately. Wear gloves that are protected and closed-toe shoes when working with mirrors or glass, because they can be extremely sharp. You can also secure an area, close the door and instruct your family members not to enter the room until the broken glass pieces have been cleaned.
It is also recommended to inspect the condition of the frame as well as muntins or mullions that help support the glass pane. This is because corrosion and rust can cause damage to these components, which could cause further issues for the windows.
If you're concerned about long-term damage, look into replacing the window with tempered glass. the full details is more durable than regular glass, and it can break into smaller granular pieces that are less likely than jagged shards to cause injury.
If you're not confident in tackling the task yourself or you think it would be more economical to have your window replaced, call a professional to assist with repairs or replacement. Window & Door Doctors are experts at repair and replacement of windows and doors damaged by storms, vandalism or other accidents. They can also assist you to decide between a quick fix or an comprehensive window replacement.
Damaged Frame
It's not a surprise that the window frame gets damaged. While some of the damage is cosmetic and can be repaired quickly, other issues like frames that are rotting are serious issues that must be addressed as soon as possible to prevent more extensive repairs or replacement costs.
The rotted wood around window frames can be ugly and cause many issues, including fungus and mold. This can negatively impact the health of your home as well as its value. To fix this problem take off any weatherstripping prior to cutting away the decayed wood by using a chisel, or saw. After you have removed the damaged frame part you can buy the kit at an online hardware store or a hardware store that includes all the tools and parts needed to repair it.
Another common issue that needs to be addressed is moisture-related cracks on the window frames. This is especially important since North Carolina often experiences high humidity levels, which can cause wood to expand and shrink as it absorbs and releases moisture. When wood cracks, it lets moisture into your home. This could be detrimental to the structure of your home as well as your possessions and even your family's health.
Another common problem is having difficulty opening or closing windows. This could be caused by a variety of factors. The issue could be due to a buildup of dirt or dust which makes it more difficult for the sash to move or the frame might have suffered some form of structural damage that has impacted its ability to open and close properly.
If you have any visible evidence of damage to your window frame following an event, it's a good idea consult an expert since the damage could be severe enough that window replacement would be the best or only option. You could be able file a claim with your insurance company to cover the cost of repairs or replacements.
Damaged Seals
Window seals provide the final layer of protection from air and moisture infiltration, which can cause damage to windows. They also aid in helping to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature and reducing energy costs. If you observe that your window seals are failing or you've noticed an increase in your energy bills, it's important to fix the problem before it gets any worse.
If your windows are double pane or single pane, the glass in them is held by an inner aluminum spacer and polyurethane, which sandwich the two panes of annealed or tempered glass. The fluctuation in temperature in the sun of Phoenix can cause the glass to degrade over time, allowing humidity and air to enter the panes. If the window was made of inert gas, its increased insulation value is lost as well. This is the reason a window that has broken seals will fog.
The best option to take if you suspect that the window seals on your home are failing is to follow the manufacturer's care instructions. It may seem like a no-brainer, but it's something that many homeowners skip over. Cleaning your windows with the recommended cleaning agent will prolong their life and ensure that they remain in top condition.
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 pulling the warm air out of your window. If you notice that your energy bills are more expensive than usual It could be due to the fact that your windows allow in more cold air.
Moisture between the glass panes of your windows is another indication that your seals are not working. This moisture can be thin lines of clear water or a long-lasting haze that interferes with your view. The moisture between the glass is the result of an infiltration crack caused by the window seal failing and can be repaired by resealing the inner aluminum spacer with polyurethane.
Damaged Muntins or Mullions
The wood strips used to separate the panes of single-pane glass could be real or fake. Window repair experts can repair them if they are damaged. They will take out all the glass clean and scrape the area, before rebuilding any mullias or muntins which are rotted or damaged. In many cases this is a much more cost-effective solution than replacing the entire window.
While the damage to your window frame due to heavy rain snow melt, humidity or even heavy rain is obvious, less obvious issues are often ignored. A crack in the dripcap (the metal cap that protects the top of the frame) can allow moisture into the home. This can cause mould and rot. A sash cord that is damaged can also lead to draughts and rattles when windows are opened or closed.
A window that has a leak or that has caused draughts could be costly to repair particularly if the water leaks into walls. The leaks must be fixed as soon as possible. Draughts can often be caused by faulty hinges on old windows or from poorly designed windows that are letting air in. Window & Door doctor is able to repair leaks and draughts without having to replace the entire window.
If the casing that surrounds your window is loose cracking, rotting, cracked or is completely missing the casing will need to be replaced. This isn't a task that can be accomplished by an amateur. The wall surrounding it may be in poor condition and may require to be rebuilt. The casing that is loose is ugly however, it allows moisture and air to enter the home which decreases the efficiency of energy. It can be replaced with primed wood exterior casing found at many home centers or low-maintenance vinyl PVC products. They are more resistant to weather than wood, and will need to be repainted regularly to maintain the integrity of the product. Whatever the material, all replacement casings should be treated with a high-quality exterior paint.