Should You Call a Window and Door Doctor?
Window and door maintenance and repair benefits home owners by reducing energy costs as well as increasing comfort and security. Many homeowners have renovated their homes to increase the value of their property and improve their living conditions without having to relocate.
Exterior casings that are loose or rotting must be repaired as quickly as is possible. They are usually a sign of moisture penetration and can be fixed with little expense.
Cracked or Broken Glass
If your window glass has broken or cracked you're probably wondering if you can repair it or if you should to buy a replacement. The answer will depend on a variety of aspects, such as the severity of the crack and the cause and what kind of glass is used in your windows.
In most instances, it's easier to repair a cracked window than to replace it. The key is to figure out the cause of the crack and then act swiftly to prevent it from getting worse. This is especially important when it comes to impact breaks such as those caused by a lawnmowers or a ball for a child.
Take out any pieces of the window that are still 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 break the pieces.
Once you have removed the glass shards, tidy up the area and dispose of them in a safe way. Always wear protective gloves and closed-toe shoes when handling mirror or glass pieces because they can be extremely sharp. You can also create a cordon around an area, shut the door and tell your family members not to enter the room until broken pieces of glass have been cleaned.
Make sure to inspect the frame, multins and mullions which support the glass pane. These components can be damaged by rust and corrosion and could cause more problems with the windows.
Replace the window if you are concerned about long-term damage. Tempered glass is stronger than regular glass and shatters into tiny pieces of granular fragments which are less likely to cause injury than jagged shards of traditional glass.
If you're not confident in tackling the task on your own, or if it will be more cost effective to replace your window, call an experienced window and door doctor to assist with repairs or replacement. Window and door specialists are experts in repairing or replacing windows and doors damaged by storms, vandalism, or other events. They can help you decide whether an immediate fix is better than a larger window replacement.
Frame Damaged
It's not a surprise that the window frame is damaged. While some of the damage is cosmetic and can be repaired easily, others such as rotted frames are serious issues that must be addressed promptly to avoid more costly repairs or replacement costs.
Wood rot on windows can be unattractive and cause many issues such as mold and fungus. This can negatively impact your home's health and value. To address this issue take off any weatherstripping prior to cutting off the rotten wood with a chisel or a saw. After removing the damaged frame part you can purchase the kit at an hardware store or online that includes all of the tools and parts needed to replace it.
Moisture-related cracks in the window frames are another frequent issue that should be addressed as soon as possible. This is especially crucial since North Carolina often experiences high humidity levels, which can cause wood to swell and shrink as it absorbs and releases moisture. When the wood cracks, it allows moisture to get into your home, which can cause damage to the structure of your house as well as your possessions and even the health of your family members.
Difficulty opening or closing the window is a common issue that could have different causes. The problem may simply be due to a buildup of dirt or dust which makes it more 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 notice indications of damage to the frame of your window after an incident, it's best to seek advice from an expert because the damage could be severe enough that full window replacement would be the best or only option. Based on the policy of your insurance you might be able to file a claim to cover any repair or replacement costs.
Damaged Seals
Window seals are the final layer of protection against air and moisture that could damage windows. They also aid in maintaining a comfortable temperature inside and help reduce energy costs. If window doctor near me find that your window seals are failing or if you have noticed an increase in your energy bills, it is important to fix the problem before it gets any worse.
The glass in your windows, regardless of whether they are double-paned or single-paned, is held together 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 enter between the panes. The window's insulation value is also lost if it is filled with inert gases. This is the reason windows with broken seals will become brittle.
The best option to take if you suspect that your window seals are failing is to follow the manufacturer's instructions. It might seem like a simple task, but it's something that most homeowners ignore. Cleaning your windows regularly using the cleaning agent recommended will help to extend the lifespan of your windows and keep them working at their peak.
A few indications that the window seal is not working include a drafty sensation particularly on a cold winter day. The cold air outside is pulling the warm air out of your window. If you notice that suddenly your energy bills are higher than normal It could be due to the fact that your windows allow in more cold air.
The presence of moisture between the glass panes of your windows is a further sign that your seals are not working. The moisture could be a thin, clear line or it could be a long-lasting haze interfering with your view of the outdoors. The moisture between glass is caused by an infiltration crack that occurs when the window seal is damaged. This can be corrected by resealing using polyurethane to seal the inner aluminum spacer.
Damaged Muntins or Mullions
Muntins and mullions, which are the pieces of wood that divide panes of glass in single-pane windows, may be real or faux. Window repair experts can repair them if damaged. They will take the glass, scrape and clean the area, and then rebuild any rotted or split muntins or mullions. In many cases, this is a cheaper option than replacing the entire window.
While the damage to your window's frame from heavy rain snow melt or humidity may be obvious, the less obvious problems are often overlooked. A crack in the dripcap (the metal cap that is placed on top of the window frame) could allow moisture to enter the home. This could lead to rot and mould. A sash cord that is damaged can also cause draughts or rattles when the window is shut or opened.
Repairing a window that leaks or creates draughts is expensive particularly if water seeps into the wall. The leaks must be fixed as soon as possible. Draughts are usually caused by the faulty hinges on old windows, or from poorly designed windows that let air in. Window & Door doctor can repair leaks and draughts without having to replace the entire window.
If the casing that surrounds your window is loose or cracked, rotten or missing, it will have to be replaced. This is not necessarily an undertaking for the amateur as the wall could be in a state of disrepair and need to be rebuilt as well. It's not just ugly, but it also allows moisture and air to enter the house. This reduces energy efficiency. It can be replaced with primed wood exterior casing found at many home centers or low-maintenance vinyl or PVC products. They are more resistant to weather than wood and will not need to be painted regularly to maintain the integrity. All replacement casings must be painted using exterior quality paint, regardless of the material.