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 been renovating their homes in the COVID-19 pandemic in order to increase their value and improve their living conditions without the need to move.
Exterior casings that are loose or rotting must be repaired as quickly as possible. These are usually signs of moisture intrusion and can be fixed at a minimal cost.
Cracked or Broken Glass
You might be wondering if it is possible to fix your broken or cracked window glass or if you should replace it. The answer is contingent on a variety of factors such as the severity of the break and the type of glass you have in your window.
In the majority of cases, it is easier to fix a damaged or cracked window than to replace it. It is crucial to determine what caused the crack and take action swiftly to ensure that the crack doesn't get any worse. This is particularly important for impact breaks, such as a rock from the lawn mower or an object thrown by children.
Remove any pieces of the window that are still in its frame or on the floor. Wear gloves that are heavy duty and wear eye protection. Utilize a chisel or a knife to gently remove any glazing that holds the pieces together.
After you have removed the glass shards take care to clean the area and dispose of them in a responsible way. Always wear protective gloves and closed-toe shoes when handling glass or mirror pieces, as they can be extremely sharp. It is also an excellent idea to fence off the area, shut the door, and instruct your household members not to be allowed to enter until the broken glass is cleaned.
It is also recommended to inspect the condition of the frame as well as muntins or mullions which are used to support the glass pane. These components can be damaged by rust and corrosion and could cause more issues with the windows.
Replace the window if are worried about the long-term effects. Tempered glass is stronger than ordinary glass and shatters into tiny granular pieces which are less likely to cause injury than jagged fragments of glass that are typical.
If you're not comfortable tackling the job yourself or if it would be more economical to replace your window, get in touch with an experienced window and door doctor to help with repairs or replacement. Window & Door Doctors are experts at repair and replacement of windows and doors damaged by vandalism, storms or other accidents. They can also help you decide between a quick fix or an extensive window replacement.
Frame Damaged
The window frame endures a lot of wear and tear, so it's not a surprise that it is damaged often. While some of the damage is cosmetic and can be corrected easily, others such as frames that are rotting are serious issues that must be addressed promptly to avoid more costly repairs or replacement costs.
The wood rot that is a part of the window frames is not only ugly, but it can also cause a wide range of problems like mold, fungus and pests that will affect your home's value as well as its health. To fix this issue begin by removing any weatherstripping and then cutting away the decayed wood with a chisel or saw. After you have removed the damaged frame, you can purchase a kit at a hardware shop or online that includes all the necessary tools and parts to replace it.
Cracks caused by moisture in the window framing are a common problem that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. This is crucial because North Carolina experiences high levels of humidity, which could cause the wood to expand and expand 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 home as well as your possessions and even the health of your family.
Another issue that is common is having difficulty opening or closing a window. This could be caused by a variety of factors. The problem could be caused by a buildup of dust or dirt, which makes it difficult for the frame or sash to move.
If you have any visible indications of damage to the frame of your window after a storm, then it's a good idea to consult an expert as the damage may be severe enough that replacement of the window is the best option or only choice. Depending on your insurance policy you might be able to file an insurance claim to cover any repair or replacement costs.
Damaged Seals
Window seals provide the final layer of protection against moisture and air infiltration, which could damage windows. They also help to maintain a comfortable temperature inside and help reduce energy costs. So, if your window seal is beginning to fail or you've noticed an abrupt increase in your energy costs it's essential to get the issue fixed immediately before it gets worse.
The glass in your windows, regardless of whether they are single-paned or double-paned is held together by an aluminum spacer and a polyurethane that is sandwiched between the two panes. In time, the cycle of temperature in the Phoenix sunlight can cause this material to degrade, allowing humidity and air to enter between the panes. The window's insulation value will also be diminished if it contains inert gases. This is the primary reason why a window with broken seals will start to fog.
The best option to take when you suspect your window seals aren't working is to follow the manufacturer's maintenance instructions. It may seem obvious however, many homeowners neglect this step. Regularly wiping your windows down with whatever cleaning agent is recommended will extend the life of your windows and keep them functioning optimally.
The signs that the window seal has failed are a feeling of draftiness particularly on an icy winter day. This is because the warm air inside your home is being drawn out through the window by the cold air outside. 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.
Another sign that the seals on your windows are failing is when you see moisture between the window's glass. The moisture could be a thin line of clear water or a perpetual haze that blocks your view. The cause of moisture in glass is by an infiltration gap that occurs when the window seal is damaged. This can be corrected by resealing with polyurethane the inner aluminum spacer.
Damaged Muntins or Mullions
The strips of wood used to separate the panes of single-pane glass may be fake or real. Window repair experts can fix them if they're damaged. They will take out all the glass clean and scrape the area, then rebuild any mullias or muntins that are damaged or rotted. In many instances this is a much 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 is obvious, less obvious issues are sometimes overlooked. For instance, a crack in the drip cap (the piece made of steel that covers the top of the frame) can allow moisture get into your home, causing mold, rot, and insect infestation. A damaged sash cord could cause draughts and rattles when the window is open or closed.
A window that is leaking or that causes draughts may be expensive to repair particularly if the water leaks into the wall. The leaks must be fixed as soon as possible. window doctor are usually caused by the faulty hinges on old windows or from poorly designed windows that are letting air in. Window and Door Doctor can repair draughts and leaks without replacing the entire window.
If the casing around your window is loose or damaged, cracked or missing, it's going to need to be replaced. This is not necessarily an undertaking for the amateur, as the surrounding wall could be in disrepair and require a complete reconstruction too. Loose casing is unattractive however it allows moisture and air to infiltrate the home which decreases the efficiency of energy. It is possible to replace it with pre-painted wood exterior casing found at many home centers or low-maintenance vinyl PVC products. They are more resistant to weather than wood, but they will require painting frequently to ensure the quality of the product. All replacement casings should be painted with exterior grade paint, irrespective of the material.