Home Window Repair

Your windows in your home could be affected by a sandstone from your lawnmower or a heavy glass on the top of your coffee table.

Fortunately, these problems can be solved at home without having to call for a professional. These easy fixes won’t win your home any beauty contests, but they can keep your windows in top shape.

Broken Panes

A stray baseball or a strong wind can damage a window pane, leaving your home vulnerable to the elements. But replacing a single pane isn’t as difficult as you think, and it’s a much less expensive option than purchasing an entirely new window or hiring a professional. With a few tools and some care you can repair a damaged window pane quickly and efficiently.

Before you begin work take off the safety glasses and clear the area around the window of glass splinters and glass chards. Clean the frame and get rid of any varnish or paint from the wood. If you have a sash made from metal with saddle bars, remove them too. Then, you can put on an utility knife and remove the trim from the window frames. Be careful not to cut the lead on the existing pane, and don’t try to break the glass too often.

If you’re using a fresh pane, you can have it cut at an hardware store to ensure that it is the right size. You should subtract 1/8 of an inch from the actual size of the opening to allow for the glass. This is because wood expands and contracts.

The majority of single pane windows are held in place by glazing putty as well as small metal clips referred to as glazier’s point. Apply a generous amount putty for glaziers to the frame of the wood around one side of the broken glass. Press the glazier’s point into putty every six inches. This will secure the window in place and allow you to reseal your frame later.

Before you apply any putty, moisten your finger with linseed oil and run it across the surface of the wood. This will help lubricate the putty and make it easier to work with. Glazing putty is a finite product that will dry out over time. Add a few drops in linseed to extend its shelf life. Once the putty has a good amount of moisture, you can begin repairing your window.

Broken Seals

Rubber used to seal double pane windows is prone to wear out over time. The window is then vulnerable to moisture, compromising its function and allowing in warm or cold humidity. The first sign of a faulty seal is condensation or fog between the two panes of glass. Another sign is a variation in the temperature of your home and the outside. And finally, a broken seal will cause your windows to look hazy or distorted as the vacuum-sealed gas argon escapes.

A window replacement is the only way to get your windows back to their original state. Many double-paned modern windows come with warranties and can be easily replaced by homeowners at no extra cost.

If your windows are covered by warranty, you should avail this benefit as soon as possible to save money on the cost of a full replacement. The warranty will cover the costs of labor and materials needed to repair or replace windows.

Although you can repair windows yourself, the procedure is complicated and requires specialized tools. The best choice is to call a professional window installer. http://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk ‘ll handle all of the cleaning, removal and the reinstallation of your windows, all while ensuring that they are properly coated and insulated to shield your home from moisture, hot sun and cold air.

A window replacement can also help you save money on your energy costs. Replacing old windows with new double pane windows can dramatically cut your heating and cooling costs. Furthermore, modern windows offer higher insulation and offer a more comfortable home environment. The only downside of a window replacement project is the initial cost. However, this can be offset with the savings you will notice on your electricity bill in the future.

Sashes that won’t let you open

A sash that won’t open is more than just a nuisance. It could also be a risk. The sash may close in a flash and damage anything on the sill, such as pets and children. Double-hung and single-hung windows come with balancing mechanisms to keep the sash away from the jambs. The issue could be that the sash isn’t connected to these mechanisms, or it could simply need to be reset or locked.

To fix this issue, begin by testing the window to check if it moves. If it doesn’t, you can use a tool at the meeting rail (where the upper and lower sashes meet together) to try to pry the two sashes apart. If the window does move, remove the sash from the frame and set it on a work surface to get access to the sides. If the spline of the sash is loose only in some spots, you can use an utility knife to cut the spline at the corners. If the spline has been torn or broken completely and you need to replace it.

If the sash continues to be stuck, it may be necessary to take off the front trim piece. There are special tools in hardware stores that can help you do this, but an ordinary putty knife could work. With the help of your cutting tool, score the seal of paint that covers the sash channels and remove any screws holding the stops in place. Once this is done, you’ll be able to lift the sash out of the frame and then reposition it properly.

If the sash is still stuck, the balance shoe may have slid down to the bottom of frame. It’s easy to reset this: Mark the position of the hinge channel, then unscrew. Fill the screwholes with woodfiller or epoxy, and smooth them out prior to installing the channel. Once the hinge channel is in place, just lock the balance pin by moving it into the “U” position. Reposition the sash until it is in alignment with the balance, and then test the window.

Wood Rot

Wood rot isn’t just an eyesore; it can also cause serious structural damage to a property. It takes several forms such as dry and wet rot. In both cases the damage is caused by a combination of moisture as well as fungus. Both dry and wet rots can be fixed. However, it’s best to stop them at the source. Property owners can check for decay in areas that are likely to be damp, such as outside window frames, timber joists, and basement subfloors. They should also inspect wood wherever there are gaps and cracks.

If a hole is found the area should be cleaned and filled with a water-resistant wood filler. Once the wood has dries, it should be stained to match the surrounding material. If you decide to use stain for wood, it’s important to test the product on a small portion of the filler prior to applying. This will ensure that the stain doesn’t change color, corrode or alter the final look of your woodwork.

Wet rot can be recognized by its musty odor that is like that of soil that is rotting. It’s also more supple than uninfected timber which makes it easier to feel with your fingers. Dry rot is harder to spot. This type of fungus eats the cells in timber, causing them to break down and disintegrate.

Dry rot is typically more difficult to fix than wet rot because it can get deeper into the material. However, it is still able to be prevented by identifying the source of moisture and repairing it, such as a leak or perforating damp. It’s also important to regularly clear gutters of blockages to prevent a accumulation of water that could lead to leaks around the house or a flooded basement.

The chance of rot can be reduced by keeping basements and crawlspaces dry and using dehumidifiers. To prevent water from getting into gaps, they should periodically clean the caulking and sealant around doors and windows. In addition they should replace cracked or damaged timbers.