Should You Call a Window and Door Doctor?
Maintenance and repair of windows and doors. repair benefit homeowners by lowering energy bills, increasing comfort, and security. Many homeowners have renovated their homes to increase the value of their home and improve their living condition without having to relocate.
The exterior casing that is loose or rotting must be repaired as quickly as is possible. These are typically an indication of moisture intrusion and can be fixed with little expense.
Broken or cracked glass
You might be wondering if it is possible to repair your cracked or broken window glass or do you need to replace it. The answer will depend on many factors, such as the severity of the break, what caused it, and the type of glass that is used in your windows.
Most times, a cracked or broken window can be fixed rather than replaced. It is crucial to determine what caused the crack, and act swiftly to ensure that the crack doesn't become worse. This is especially important with fractures from impact, such as a rock thrown by the lawn mower or a ball thrown by the kids.
Before you can repair a broken or cracked window You'll need to take out any fragments that remain in the frame or lying on the ground. This is best done with heavy duty work gloves and protective eyewear. Utilize a chisel or a knife to gently remove any glazing that is holding the pieces together.
After you have removed the glass shards take care to clean the area and dispose of them in a proper manner. Wear gloves and closed-toe shoes whenever you are handling glass or mirrors, since they can be extremely sharp. You can also secure an area, close the door and instruct your family members not to enter the room until the broken glass pieces have been cleaned.
Make sure to inspect the frame, multins and mullions which support the glass pane. This is because corrosion and rust can cause damage to these components which can cause further problems for windows.
Replace the window if are worried about the long-term effects. Tempered glass is more durable than regular glass and shatters into tiny pieces of granular fragments which are less likely to cause injury than sharp pieces of glass.
If you're not confident in tackling the task on your own or if it would be more cost-effective to replace your window, contact an experienced window and door doctor to assist you with repairs or replacement. Window and door specialists are skilled at repairing or replacing doors and windows that are damaged from storms, vandalism, or other events. They can also assist you to decide between a quick fix or more comprehensive window replacement.
Damaged Frame
The window frame is subject to a lot of wear and tear, so it's no surprise that it gets damaged from time to time. Some damage is cosmetic and can be repaired, however other damage such as damaged frames could be more severe and should be addressed quickly to avoid more expensive repairs or replacement.
Wood rot on window frames can be unsightly and can cause a variety of problems such as mold and fungus. They can impact the health of your home as well as its value. To remedy this issue, remove any weatherstripping before cutting away the decayed wood with a chisel or a saw. Once you have removed the damaged part of the frame, you can use an online kit or at a hardware store that comes with all the tools and components you require to replace it.
Another issue that is commonly encountered and should be addressed is cracks caused by moisture on the window frames. This is especially crucial since North Carolina often experiences high humidity levels that could cause wood to expand and shrink as it absorbs and releases moisture. When wood cracks it allows moisture into your home. This could be detrimental to your house's structure as well as 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 could be caused by a buildup in dirt or dust which causes the sash or frame to move.
If you have any visible signs of damage to the frame of your window after an incident, it's best to consult an expert as the damage may be so severe that a complete window replacement would be the best or only option. You could be able make a claim through your insurance company to cover the cost of repairs or replacements.
Damaged Seals
Window seals provide the final layer of protection against moisture and air infiltration, which can damage windows. They also help to keep an ideal temperature inside and reducing energy costs. If you observe that your window seals are failing or you've noticed an increase in your energy bills, it's important to fix the problem before it gets any worse.
The glass in your windows, whether they're single-paned or double-paned is held together by a spacer made of aluminum and a polyurethane sandwiched between the two panes. In time, the cycle of temperature in the Phoenix sunshine can cause this material to degrade, allowing humidity and air to pass through the panes. The window's enhanced insulation value can also be lost if it is filled with inert gases. This is the primary reason why windows that has a leaky seal will begin to get smoky.
The best option to take when you suspect the window seals on your home are failing is to follow the manufacturer's instructions. It might seem like a simple task however, it's something most homeowners ignore. Regularly wiping your windows down using the cleaning agent recommended will help to extend the lifespan of your windows and keep them working at their peak.
A feeling of draftiness is a sign that your window seal is failing particularly on a cold winter's day. This is because 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 allow in too much cold air.
Moisture between the glass panes of your windows is another sign that your seals are not working. The moisture could be thin lines of clear water or a permanent haze that interferes with your view. The moisture between glass is caused by an infiltration breach 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, the wood strips that separate panes of glass in single pane windows, can be real or fake. window doctors can repair them if they are damaged. They will remove all glass clean and scrape off the area, before rebuilding any mullias or muntins which are rotted or damaged. In many instances this is a cheaper option than replacing the entire window.
While the damage to your window's frame from heavy rain snow melt, humidity or even heavy rain may be obvious, the less obvious issues are often ignored. A crack in the dripcap (the cap made of metal that protects the top of the window frame) could allow moisture to enter the home. This can lead to rot and mould. A broken sash cable can also cause draughts or rattles when windows are shut or opened.
Repairing windows that leak or creates draughts is expensive and can be costly, particularly if water is leaking into the wall. Any leaks should be repaired as soon as possible. Draughts are often caused by faulty hinges in old windows, or poorly designed windows that allow air in. Window & Doors Doctor can repair draughts and leaks without the need to replace the entire window.
If the casing that surrounds your window is sagging, cracked, rotten or missing, it's likely to need to be replaced. This is not necessarily a job for an amateur because the wall may be in disrepair and requires a new build also. Casings that are loose are ugly but, more importantly, it allows moisture and air to enter the home which decreases the efficiency of energy. It is possible to replace it with pre-painted wood exterior casing available at many home centers or low-maintenance vinyl PVC products. They are more weather-resistant than wood, and will require painting frequently to ensure the quality of the product. All replacement casings should be painted with exterior grade paint, regardless of the material.