Should You Call a Window and Door Doctor?
Window and door maintenance and repair can benefit homeowners by lowering energy bills, increasing comfort, and security. window doctors have renovated their homes to increase the value of their home and improve their living condition without having to move.
Repair any damaged or loose casing as soon as you can. These are often signs of moisture damage and can be repaired at the least amount of expense.
Cracked or Broken Glass
You may be wondering if it is possible to fix your broken or cracked window glass or do you need to replace it. The answer is contingent on a variety of factors such as the severity of the crack and the type of glass used in your window.
Most of the time, a cracked or broken window can be fixed instead of replacing it. It is important to identify the cause of the crack and take action swiftly to ensure that the crack doesn't get any worse. This is especially crucial in the case of impact breaks such as those caused by a lawnmowers or a child's ball.
Take out any pieces of the window that are still in its frame or lying on the floor. Wear heavy duty work gloves and wear eye protection. If there is any glass holding the pieces in place, use a putty knife or chisel to gently release them.
After you have removed the glass shards clean up the area carefully and dispose of them in a safe manner. Wear gloves that are protected and closed-toe shoes when working with mirrors or glass, because they can be extremely sharp. It is also an excellent idea to fence off the area, close the door, and inform your family members not to go in until the broken glass has been cleaned.
Make sure to inspect the frame, multins and mullions which support the glass pane. These parts can be damaged by corrosion and rust, which could lead to more issues with the windows.
If you're worried about the long-term damage to your window, you should think about replacing the window with glass that is tempered. Tempered glass is more durable than regular glass, and it can break into smaller pieces that are less likely than jagged shards to cause injuries.
If you're not sure if you're able to tackle the task yourself, or if it will be more cost effective to replace your window, contact a professional window and door doctor to assist with repairs or replacement. Window and Door Doctors are skilled in fixing and replacing windows and doors damaged by vandalism, storms or other accidents. They can help you decide whether an immediate fix is better than a larger window replacement.
Frame Damaged
It's not surprising that the window frame is damaged. While some damages are cosmetic and can be fixed quickly, other issues like damaged frames are serious problems that must be addressed promptly to prevent more extensive repairs or replacement costs.
Wood rot around windows can be unattractive and can cause a variety of problems, including fungus and mold. They can impact your home's health and value. To fix this issue start by removing all weatherstripping. Then, you can cut away the wood that is decaying with a chisel or saw. After removing the damaged frame part you can purchase a kit at a hardware shop or online that includes all the tools and parts needed to replace it.
Another issue that is commonly encountered and needs to be addressed is cracks caused by moisture on the window frames. This is crucial because North Carolina experiences high levels of humidity, which could cause the wood to expand and expand as it absorbs or releases moisture. If the wood cracks, it allows moisture to get into your home, which could be damaging to the structure of your home as well as your possessions and even the health of your family members.
Another issue that is common is the difficulty in opening or closing windows. This is caused by a variety of reasons. The issue could be due to the accumulation of dirt or dust that makes it harder for the sash to move, or the frame itself might have suffered some form of structural damage that has affected its ability to properly open and close.
If you have any visible signs of damage to your window frame after an incident, it's best to consult with an expert, since the damage could be so severe that a complete replacement of the window is the best or only option. Based on the policy of your insurance you may be able to file a claim to pay for any repair or replacement costs.
Damaged Seals
Window seals are the last layer of protection against moisture and air infiltration, which can damage windows. They also help maintain an ideal temperature inside and lower energy costs. If you observe that your window seals are failing or if you have noticed an increase in your energy bills, it's important to fix the problem before it worsens.
The glass in your windows, whether they are double-paned or single-paned is held in place by a spacer made of aluminum and a polyurethane that is sandwiched between the two panes. Over time, temperature cycling in the Phoenix sun can cause the material to break down allowing air and humidity to seep between the panes. If the window was made of inert gas, its enhanced insulation value is also lost. This is the reason why windows with broken seals will become brittle.
If you think that the seals on your windows are failing you should follow the care instructions provided by the manufacturer. It might seem like a simple task, but it's something that many homeowners skip over. Cleaning your windows with the recommended cleaning agent will prolong their life and ensure they are in good condition.
The signs that the window seal has failed are a feeling of draftiness, especially on a cold winter day. This is due to the warm air inside your home is being drawn out of the window by the cold air outside. Similarly, if you notice that your energy bills are suddenly higher than normal without an explanation the windows could be letting in too much cold air.
Moisture between the glass panes of your windows is another sign that your seals are failing. This moisture may be a thin, clear line or it could be a permanent haze interfering with your view of the outside. The condensation between the glass is a result of an infiltration breach caused by the window seal failing, and it can usually be fixed by sealing the inner aluminum spacer with polyurethane.
Damaged Muntins or Mullions
The strips of wood used to separate the panes of single-pane glass could be real or fake. If they're damaged, window repair experts can usually fix them. They will take the glass, scrape and clean the area, then rebuild any damaged or broken muntins or mullions. 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 may be obvious, the less obvious problems are often overlooked. A crack in the dripcap (the cap made of metal that protects the top of the frame) could allow moisture into the home. This can cause mould and rot. A damaged sash cable may also cause draughts or rattles when windows are closed or opened.
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 is possible. Draughts are usually caused by faulty hinges on old windows, or by badly designed windows that are letting air through. Window & Door doctor can fix leaks and draughts, without having to replace the entire window.
If the casing surrounding your window is damaged, loose, damaged, cracked or missing, it will have to be replaced. This isn't necessarily a job for an amateur as the wall could be in a state of disrepair and require a complete reconstruction too. Loose casing is unattractive but, more importantly, it allows air and moisture to get into the house which can reduce energy efficiency. It can be replaced with primed wood exterior casing found at many home centers or low-maintenance vinyl PVC products. They are more weather-resistant than wood, but they will require painting frequently to ensure the quality of the product. All replacement casings must be painted with exterior grade paint, irrespective of the material.