Should You Call a Window and Door Doctor?
Maintenance and repair of windows and doors. repair benefits home owners by lowering energy bills while also increasing comfort and security. Many homeowners have renovated their homes to add value to their home and improve their living condition without the need to move.
Exterior casings that are loose or rotting should be repaired as soon as is possible. These are typically signs of moisture intrusion and are able to be fixed at a minimal cost.
Cracked or Broken Glass
You may be wondering whether you can repair the crack or broken window glass or if you should replace it. The answer depends on many factors, including the severity of the damage and the type of glass you have in your window.
Most of the time cracked or damaged window can be repaired rather than replaced. It is crucial to identify the cause of the crack and take action promptly to prevent it from continuing to become worse. This is particularly important in the case of fractures caused by impact, such as those caused by a lawnmowers or a ball for a child.
Take out any window pieces that remain in its frame or lying on the floor. Wear gloves that are heavy duty and wear eye protection. If there is any glazing that is holding the pieces together Use a putty knife or chisel to gently remove them.
After you have removed any shards of glass, carefully clean up the area and dispose of them in a safe manner. Wear gloves that are protected and closed-toe shoes when working with mirrors or glass, as these can be very sharp. You can also create a cordon around an area, shut 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. These components could be damaged by corrosion and rust, which could lead to more problems with the windows.
If you're worried about long-term damage, consider replacing the window with tempered glass. Tempered glass is more durable than regular glass, and it can break into smaller pieces of granular material which are less likely to break than sharp shards of glass to cause injury.
If you're not comfortable tackling the task yourself or if it would be more cost-effective to replace your window, contact an experienced window and door doctor to assist with repairs or replacement. Window and Door Doctors are skilled in repairing and replacing windows and doors damaged by vandalism, storms or other events. They can assist you in deciding whether a quick fix is better than a more extensive window replacement.
Frame Damaged
The window frame is subject to many years of wear and wear and tear, which is why it's no surprise that it gets damaged from time to time. Some of the damage is cosmetic and can be repaired, but others like rotted frames can be serious and need to be addressed immediately to avoid costly repairs or replacement.
Wood rot on windows can be unattractive and can cause a variety of problems, including fungus and mold. These can affect the health of your home as well as its value. To fix this problem remove any weatherstripping, before cutting away the rotten wooden by using a chisel, or saw. After you have removed the damaged frame you can purchase the kit at an online hardware store or a hardware store that includes all of the necessary tools and parts to repair it.
Another common problem that should be addressed is the moisture-related cracks on the window frames. This is particularly important because North Carolina often experiences high humidity levels, which could cause wood to expand and shrink as it absorbs and releases moisture. When wood cracks it allows moisture into your home. This can be harmful to your house's structure, your possessions, and even your family's health.
Difficulty opening or closing the window is another common issue that can have several different reasons. The problem may simply be due to a buildup of dirt or dust that makes it difficult for the sash to move or the frame might have suffered some form of structural damage that has impacted its ability to properly open and close.
If you see signs of damage to your window frame following a storm, then it's a good idea seek advice from an expert because the damage could be so severe that a complete replacement of the window is the best option or only choice. Depending on your insurance policy you might be able to file a claim to pay for any repair or replacement costs.
Damaged the window doctor provide the final layer of protection against moisture and air infiltration which can cause damage to windows. They also aid in maintaining the temperature in the room and lower energy costs. If you observe that your window seals aren't working or you've noticed an increase in your energy bills, it's essential to fix the issue before it gets worse.
If your windows are double pane or single pane, the glass inside them is held by an aluminum spacer inside and polyurethane, which sandwich the two panes of annealed or tempered glass. As time passes, the constant temperature fluctuations in the Phoenix sun can cause this material to break down, allowing humidity and air to seep between the panes. The window's enhanced insulation value will also be lost if it contained inert gases. This is the primary reason a window with broken seals will start to get smoky.
The best option to take should you suspect that the window seals on your home are failing is to follow the manufacturer's maintenance instructions. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's something that many homeowners skip over. Cleaning your windows with the recommended cleaner will extend their life and ensure they are in good condition.
Some signs that the window seal has failed are a feeling of draftiness particularly on a cold winter day. This is because the warm air inside your home is being pulled out of the window by the cold air outside. If you notice that your energy bills are more expensive than normal, it could be because your windows are letting in more cold air.
Another indication that your window seals are breaking down is if you can see moisture in the window's glass. It could be an elongated line of clear water or a permanent haze that interferes with your view. The moisture between the glass is a result of an infiltration breach caused by the window seal failing, and it can usually be repaired by resealing the inner aluminum spacer with polyurethane.
Muntins and Mullions Damaged
Muntins and mullions, the pieces of wood that divide panes of glass in single pane windows, could be real or faux. If they're damaged, window repair experts can usually fix them. They will take out all the glass clean and scrape off the area before re-building any mullias or muntins which are damaged or rotted. This is usually a less expensive solution than replacing an entire window.
While the damage to your window frame from heavy rain, snow melt or humidity is obvious, less obvious issues are sometimes overlooked. A crack in the dripcap (the cap made of metal that protects the top of the window frame) could allow moisture into the home. This can cause mould and rot. A damaged sash cord could also lead to draughts and rattles when the window is opened or closed.
A window that has a leak or that has caused draughts could be costly to repair, especially in the event that the water leaks through the wall. It is important to have any leaks repaired immediately after they are detected. Draughts are usually caused by defective hinges on old windows, or from poorly constructed windows that allow air in. Window & Doors Doctor can fix leaks and draughts, without replacing the entire window.
If the casing around your window is sagging, cracked, rotten, or missing, it will have to be replaced. This is not a job that can be done by a non-professional. The surrounding wall may be in poor condition and will need to be repaired. Loose casing is unattractive, but more importantly it allows moisture and air to infiltrate the home which decreases the efficiency of energy. It is possible to replace it with primed wood exterior casing available at most home centers or low-maintenance vinyl or PVC products. These are more weather-resistant than wood, but they will need to be repainted frequently to preserve the integrity of the product. Whatever the material, any replacement casings must be painted with an exterior-grade paint.