9 . What Your Parents Teach You About Window Repair
9 . What Your Parents Teach You About Window Repair
Blog Article
Why Window Repair Is Necessary
A pebble thrown by the lawnmower or a heavy drink set on a glass-topped coffee table are some of the many things that can cause cracks to glass in windows. A damaged window could allow wind, rain bugs, and other unwelcome elements to enter your home.
While it is not possible to make a window that has been damaged completely invisible but there are ways to repair it and stop it from getting worse.
Water Damage
Water seeping through your window frame is an indication that you need to replace it. The moisture could damage the wood in your window frame and cause the frame to rot. It could also decrease the energy efficiency of your windows. A reputable window company will replace your windows without destroying the strength of your existing frames.
Wood rot is another problem that affects both the interior and exterior of your window. If your windows made of wood have spots of rotting it is possible when the rot isn't advanced. However, if the rot has reached the mullions or muntins (the parts of your window frame that hold the glass panes) They may have to be rebuilt. This could be more expensive than purchasing a new set.
Another issue that is often required for replacement is a faulty seal between the double panes of your windows. This can be a result of condensation or debris between the two panes, or it could indicate that your window's insulation has failed. Fortunately, many modern windows have the insulation built into them. This means they don't face the same issues as older multi-paned windows.
Unattractive casings, such as ones that are cracked, loose, rotten, or missing, can create various issues. A damaged casing does not necessarily mean that it's time to change your windows, though. You may be able to sand it and repaint the casing to improve its appearance based on the condition of the wood and the surrounding.
If your exterior casing is in bad shape it is possible to apply a new coat of weather-resistant paint to keep water from destroying the window. The installation of a new exterior casing could be an attractive and functional improvement to your home.
Paint that has chipped or peeled
Window sills and frames are usually close to the elements and suffer from the sun and rain. The peeling of paint around windows is mostly caused by moisture, especially if exposed wood is involved. Water seeps through the wood and when it evaporates the pressure beneath the paint film causes the paint to peel. The moisture can be caused by condensation in the interior or rain and snow outside. It is essential to scrape and sand the surface immediately you notice the paint begin to chip. Some skilled artists apply a water repellent preservative to the wood that is unfinished and then thinned with boiled oil before painting. This helps to slow moisture penetration into the wood, which will help the new paint to hold better.
When paint starts to chip off the window, it's time for repairing your window. Before you apply a new coat, lay a drop cloth or tarp over the area you're working on to catch any loose drops of paint. With a utility knife, carefully scrape away any paint. Be careful not to slash the wood beneath or cut into the sheathing. Clean the area thoroughly and allow it to dry completely.
After the area is dry, sand the area again using a fine sanding pad. This will prepare the surface for primer and create a surface that's ready for painting. If you're working with lead-based paint make sure you use proper safety equipment. Clean the surface you sanded and tape off any adjacent surfaces like baseboards to shield them from paint.
Then, prime and paint according to the directions on the specific paint tin you're using. Make sure to adhere to the curing and temperature guidelines on the paint can as they will differ by type. Paint the exterior with exterior-grade paint, and the interior surface with interior-grade paint.
Window replacement can be costly Repairing chipped or peeling paint is relatively affordable and can be a viable alternative to replacing the entire frame. If your window frames cannot be repaired, it may be worth upgrading to newer energy efficient windows.
Cracked Glass
A broken window leaves your home open to wind, rain and bugs. It's tempting to just replace the glass, but you can also repair it yourself if there isn't too severe of crack or break. It's recommended to address small cracks as soon they happen, before they become worse as time passes or temperature fluctuations.
There are a myriad of methods that claim to make cracked glass nearly invisible however, this is not door repairs a good order for a DIY project. A tiny crack could cause a weakness in the window, which could eventually lead to further breaks and a more expensive replacement. A great solution is to cover the crack with a piece of plastic. This protects it from the outside and prevents moisture or air from seeping through, which can damage the frame or seals around windows.
Put on your safety glasses and gloves before taking the broken glass out of the frame. Use a utility blade scraper, chisel, or scraper to take off the old glazing points that hold the pane in place. Make use of the knife to remove any bare wood, then finish it off with the linseed or a clear wood sealer.
The glass can be put back in the position using epoxy. This option is the most time-consuming but it will give your glass a more robust appearance. When using epoxy, choose the double-cylinder type that dispenses the resin and hardener in equal proportion. This lets you precisely control the amount of epoxy that is poured into the window, which can help ensure a solid seal.
If you have double or triple-pane windows, make sure that the gas fills are intact when resetting the glass. These gases are important to insulate your home and ensuring that heat stays inside the winter months and out in the summer. If you take the window off, the gases will escape and cause the glass to lose its energy efficiency. You can replace the gas fills with the same method used to repair cracks in other kinds of glass.