Should You Call a Window and Door Doctor?
Maintenance of windows and doors and repair benefit homeowners by reducing energy costs as well as increasing comfort and security. Many homeowners have renovated their homes to add value to their property and improve their living condition without having to move.
Repair any damaged or loose casing as soon as you can. They are usually 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 if you should to buy a replacement. The answer will depend on a variety of aspects, such as the severity of the damage and the cause, and the type of glass that is used in your windows.
In the majority of instances, it's easier to repair a damaged window than to replace it. The key is to figure out the cause of the crack and quickly act to stop it from becoming worse. This is particularly important in the case of fractures caused by impact, such as those caused by a lawnmower or a child's ball.
Before you can take care of a broken or cracked window it is necessary to remove any pieces that remain in the frame or on the ground. This is best done with high-quality work gloves and a pair of protective eyewear. If there is any glazing holding the pieces in place you can use a putty blade or chisel, to gently break them.
Once you have removed the glass shards, tidy up the area and dispose of them in a responsible way. Wear protective gloves and closed toe shoes when working with mirrors or glass, as these can be very sharp. window doctors can also create a cordon around an area, close the door and tell your family members not to enter the room until the broken pieces of glass have been cleaned.
Examine the frame, muntins and mullions that support the glass pane. These components could be damaged by rust and corrosion, which could lead to further problems with the windows.
Replace the window if are concerned about long-term damage. Tempered glass is more durable than regular glass and it breaks into smaller granular pieces which are less likely to break than shards that are jagged to cause injuries.
If you are not confident enough to tackle the job yourself or you think it would be more economical to replace your window, call a professional to assist with repairs or replacement. Window & Door Doctors are experts at fixing and replacing windows and doors damaged by storms, vandalism or other incidents. They can assist you in deciding whether it is more efficient to fix the problem quickly than a larger window replacement.
Frame Damaged
It's not surprising that windows frame is damaged. While some damage is cosmetic and can be fixed quickly, other issues like rotted frames are serious issues which must be dealt with promptly to avoid costly repairs or replacement costs.
Wood rot around window frames can be ugly and cause many issues like mold and fungus. These can affect the health of your home as well as its value. To remedy this issue, start by removing any weatherstripping. Then, you can cut away the rotten wood by using a chisel or a saw. After removing the damaged frame you can purchase a kit at an online hardware store or a hardware store that includes all the necessary tools and parts to repair it.
Moisture-related cracks in window framing are a common issue that must be addressed as soon as possible. This is especially crucial 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 can be harmful to the structure of your home as well as your possessions and even your family's health.
The difficulty of opening or closing the window is a common problem that could have different reasons. The issue could be due to the accumulation of dust or dirt which makes it more difficult for the sash to move or the frame could have suffered some type of structural damage that has impacted its ability to properly open and close.
If you have any visible indications of damage to your window frame after an event, it's a good idea to consult an expert because the damage could be severe enough that replacement of your window is the best or only option. You might be able to submit a claim to your insurance company to pay the cost of any repairs or replacements.
Seals that have been damaged
Window seals provide the final layer of protection against air and moisture infiltration that could damage windows. They also aid in helping to keep an ideal temperature inside and reducing energy costs. If your window seal is starting to fail or you've noticed an abrupt increase in your energy bill, it's important to have the issue addressed immediately before it gets any worse.
The glass in your windows, whether they're single-paned or double-paned is held in place by a spacer made of aluminum and a polyurethane sandwiched between the two panes. The temperature cycling in Phoenix's sunshine can cause the material to break down over time, allowing humidity and air to pass through the panes. If the window is made up of inert gas, its increased insulating value is also lost. This is why a window that has broken seals will become brittle.
If you believe that the seals on your windows are failing you should adhere to the instructions for maintenance provided by the manufacturer. This might seem like a straightforward task but it's a step that many homeowners skip over. Cleaning your windows regularly with the cleaning agent you have recommended will extend the lifespan of your windows and keep them functioning optimally.
Some signs that the window seal has failed include a drafty sensation particularly on an icy winter day. The cold air outside is pulling warm air out of your window. If you notice that suddenly your energy bills are more expensive than usual it could be because your windows let in more cold air.
The presence of moisture between the windows' glass panes is another sign that your seals are failing. It could be a thin line of clear water or a perpetual haze that blocks your view. The cause of moisture in glass is by an infiltration crack that occurs when the window seal fails. This can be corrected by resealing using polyurethane to seal the inner aluminum spacer.
Damaged Muntins or Mullions
Muntins and mullions, which are the wood strips that separate panes of glass in single-pane windows, may be real or faux. If they're damaged, window repair experts will usually fix them. They will take out all the glass, clean and scrape the area, before rebuilding any mullias or muntins that are rotted or damaged. In many instances this is a more cost-effective solution than replacing the entire window.
While the damage to your window frame from heavy rain snow melt or humidity is obvious, less obvious issues are often ignored. A crack in the dripcap (the cap made of metal that is placed on top of the frame) can allow moisture into the home. This can cause rot and mould. A damaged sash cable may also cause rattles or draughts when the windows are shut or opened.
A leaking window or one that causes draughts may be expensive to repair particularly when the water seeps into walls. The leaks must be fixed as soon as is possible. Draughts are usually caused by the faulty hinges on old windows, or from poorly designed windows that let air in. Window and Door Doctor can repair leaks and draughts without having to replace the entire window.
If the casing around your window is damaged, loose, cracked, rotten or missing, it's likely to need to be replaced. This isn't a task that can be done by a novice. The wall around it could be in bad condition and should be rebuilt. It is not only unsightly but also allows air and moisture to enter the house. This can reduce energy efficiency. It can be replaced with pre-painted wood exterior casing available at many home centers or low-maintenance vinyl PVC products. These are more weatherproof than wood and do not require painting as often to maintain the integrity. No matter the material used, all replacement casings should be treated with an exterior-grade paint.