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Should You Call a Window and Door Doctor?
Window and door maintenance and repair benefits home owners by lowering energy bills as well as increasing comfort and security. Many homeowners have renovated their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic to add value and improve their living conditions without the need to move.
Exterior casings that are loose or rotting should be fixed as soon as is possible. They are usually a sign of moisture penetration and can be repaired with little expense.
Broken or cracked glass
You might be wondering if you can fix your broken or cracked window glass or whether you should replace it. The answer depends on many factors including the severity of the crack and the type of glass used in your window.
In most cases, it is easier to repair a cracked window than to replace it. It is crucial to determine what caused the crack, and then act promptly to prevent it from continuing to get any worse. This is particularly crucial with fractures from impact, such as a rock thrown by the lawn mower or a ball thrown by the children.
Before you can repair a broken or cracked window it is necessary to remove any pieces that are still in the frame or lying on the ground. Wear gloves that are heavy duty, and wear protective eyewear. If there is any glass that is holding the pieces together you can use a putty blade or chisel to gently release the pieces.
Once you have removed any shards of glass, carefully clean the area and dispose of them in a safe manner. 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 instruct your family members to not enter the room until broken glass pieces have been cleaned.
Examine the frame, muntins and mullions that support the glass pane. This is because rust and corrosion can damage these components, which could cause further problems for windows.
Replace the window if you are worried about the long-term effects. Tempered glass is more durable than regular glass, and it breaks into smaller pieces of granular material that are less likely than sharp shards of glass to cause injuries.
If you're not comfortable tackling the task yourself or if it would be more economical to replace your window, call a professional window & door doctor to help with repairs or replacement. Window and Door Doctors are experts in repair and replacement of windows and doors damaged by storms, vandalism or other accidents. They can help you decide whether an immediate fix is better than a larger window replacement.
Frame Damaged
It's not a surprise that the window frame gets damaged. Some of the damage is cosmetic and easily repaired, but others like damaged frames may be more serious and must be addressed immediately to avoid more expensive repairs or replacement.
Wood rot around the window frames is not just unsightly but can also trigger various issues like mold, fungus and pests that could impact your home's value and health. To fix this problem take off any weatherstripping prior to cutting away the decayed wood by using a chisel, or saw. After removing the damaged frame portion, you can purchase an entire kit from a hardware shop or online that includes all the required tools and components to repair it.
Moisture-related cracks in window framing are another common issue that must be addressed immediately. This is especially crucial since North Carolina often experiences high humidity levels that can cause wood to swell 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, your possessions, and even your family's health.
Inability to open or close the window is a common issue that can have several different reasons. the window doctor could be due to the accumulation of dirt or dust that makes it difficult for the sash to move or the frame could have suffered some type of structural damage that has affected its ability to properly open and close.
If you have any visible evidence of damage to your window frame after an incident, it's a good idea consult with an expert, since the damage could be severe enough that full window replacement would be the best or only option. Based on the policy of your insurance you might be able to file an insurance claim to pay for any repair or replacement costs.
Damaged Seals
Window seals provide the final layer of protection from moisture and air infiltration which can cause damage to windows. They're also responsible for helping to keep an ideal temperature inside and reducing energy bills. If you notice that your window seals are failing or you've noticed an increase in your energy bills, it is essential to fix the issue before it gets worse.
No matter if your windows are a single or double pane, the glass inside them is held in place by an aluminum spacer as well as polyurethane that sandwiched the two panes of tempered or annealed glass. The temperature cycling in Phoenix's sunshine can cause the material to break down in time, allowing air and humidity to enter the panes. The window's enhanced insulation value can also be lost if it contained inert gases. This is the reason a window that has broken seals will become brittle.
If you believe that the seals on your windows are failing it is recommended to follow the maintenance instructions given by the manufacturer. It might seem like a simple task however, it's something most homeowners ignore. Cleaning your windows regularly with whatever cleaning agent is suggested will prolong the life of your windows and keep them operating at their best.
A drafty feeling is a sign that the window seal has failed especially on an icy winter day. The cold air outside is pulling warm air from your window. If you notice that suddenly your energy bills are more expensive than normal it could be because your windows are letting in more cold air.
The presence of water between the windows' glass panes is a further sign that your seals are not working. This moisture may be an invisible, thin line or it could be a permanent fog that is blocking your view of the outside. The condensation between the glass is the result of an infiltration breach caused by the window seal breaking and can be repaired by sealing the spacer in the aluminum with polyurethane.
Muntins and Mullions Damaged
The strips of wood used to separate the panes of single-pane glass can be fake or real. Window repair experts can repair them if they are damaged. They will remove all the glass clean and scrape the area, before rebuilding any mullias or muntins which are damaged or rotted. This is often a cheaper solution than replacing an entire window.
While the damage to your window frame due to heavy rain, snow melt or humidity can be obvious, less-obvious issues are often ignored. A crack in the dripcap (the metal cap that covers the top of the window frame) could allow moisture to enter the home. This can lead to rot and mould. A damaged sash cord could also cause draughts or rattles when windows are open or closed.
Repairing windows that leak or causes draughts can cost a lot and can be costly, particularly if water is leaking into the wall. It is important to have any leaks repaired as soon as they are detected. Draughts are often caused by faulty hinges in old windows, or poorly designed windows that allow air in. Window & Door Doctor is able to repair leaks and draughts without the need to replace the entire window.
If the casing around your window is loose or cracked, rotten, or missing, it will have to be replaced. This is not a job that can be accomplished by an amateur. The surrounding wall may be in bad shape and may require to be rebuilt. Loose casing is unattractive, but more importantly, it allows air and moisture to get into the house which can reduce energy efficiency. It is possible to replace it with primed wood exterior casing, available at many home centers, or low-maintenance vinyl or PVC products. They are more resistant to weather than wood, and will require painting frequently to preserve the quality of the product. Regardless of the material used, all replacement casing should be treated with an exterior-grade paint.
