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Home Window Repair
Your home windows can be affected by a sandstone from your lawnmowers' plow or heavy glass on the top of your coffee table.
Fortunately, these issues can be solved by yourself without having to call in a professional. These easy fixes won't win your home any beauty contests, but they can keep your windows in good form.
Broken Panes
A baseball or a strong wind can damage the window panes, making you exposed to the elements. It's not as difficult as it seems and replacing a single pane is much cheaper than buying a new window. With a few tools and some careful care you can repair a damaged window pane quickly and efficiently.
Wear safety glasses prior to when you begin. Clean the area around the glass window of any glass crystals or glass chards. Take any varnish or paint from the wood frame. Remove the saddle bars from the metal sash. Then with a utility knife, carefully pry away the trim from the window frames. Be careful not to cut any lead that is on the glass, and be careful not to break it too much.
If you're using a fresh pane, have it cut at an establishment that sells hardware to ensure the proper size. Be sure to subtract 1/8 inch from the actual size of the opening for the glass as wood expands and expands and contracts.
Glazier's points and glazing putty are used to hold the majority of single pane windows in place. Apply a generous amount of putty for glaziers to the frame of the wood around one side of the glass that has been broken. Press glazier's points into putty approximately every six inches. This will keep the window in position and allow you to seal the frame later.
Linseed can be used to dampen your finger and then run it over the wood surface before applying any putty. This will lubricate the putty and make it easier to work with. Glazing putty is a limited product that will dry out over time. Add a few drops of Linseed to the mix to prolong its shelf life. After the putty is wet, you can begin repair work on your window.
Broken Seals
As time passes, the rubber used to seal double-paned windows can disintegrate. This leaves the window vulnerable to moisture, which can compromise its function and allowing in cold or warm humidity. The first sign of a faulty seal is fog or condensation between the two panes of glass. Another indication is a difference in temperature of your home and the outside. A damaged seal could cause windows to appear cloudy or appear distorted as the sealed gas escapes.
A window replacement is the only way to bring your windows back to their original state. Many modern double-paned windows are covered by warranties and can be easily replaced by the homeowner at no additional cost.
When your windows are under warranty, you should avail this opportunity immediately to avoid the expense of a full replacement. The warranty covers all work and materials required to repair or replace your windows.
While windows can be replaced on your own, the process is complicated and requires special tools. The best option is to hire an experienced window installer. They will take out the old, clean and reinstall the windows, while ensuring that they are properly glazed and insulated and protect your home from cold air, moisture, and the scorching sun.
Window replacement could also save money on your energy costs. Replacing older windows with new double pane windows can dramatically cut your heating and cooling costs. Additionally, the newer windows feature superior insulation and provide an environment that is more comfortable for your home. upvc windows of the window replacement project is the initial cost. However, this can be offset with the savings you will be able to see on your electric bill in the future.
Sashes That Willn't Open
A sash that isn't opening can be more than an inconvenience. It can be a danger. The sash can fall down unexpectedly, damaging everything on the sill, including pets and children. Double-hung and single-hung window designs have balancing mechanisms to keep the sash from the jambs. It could be that the sash hasn't been properly connected to the mechanisms or it requires to be reset or locked.
To fix this, begin by examining the window and check if it moves. If it won't, use an instrument at the junction rail (where the upper and lower sashes meet together) to try to pry the two sashes away. If the window moves in any way, take the sash out of the window and place it on an un-level surface to get at the sides. If the sash's spline is loose in one or two places you can use a utility knife to cut it apart at the corners. If the spline was torn off or completely broken, you will need to replace it.
If the sash continues to be stuck, it may be necessary to remove the front trim piece. There are tools specifically designed for this in hardware stores that can help you do this, however an ordinary putty knife could help. With the help of your cutting tool, cut the paint seal that encircles the sash channels and remove any screws holding the stops in their place. After that, you can remove the sash from the frame and then reposition it.
If the sash stays stuck, the balance shoe may have slid down to the bottom of the frame. It's simple to fix this by marking the location of the hinge channel, then unscrew. Fill the screw holes with woodfiller or epoxy, and smooth them out prior to reinstalling channel. Lock the balance pin after the hinge channel is reinstated by putting it in the "U-position". Reposition the sash so that it is aligned with the balance, and then check the window.
Wood Rot
Wood decay isn't just an eye-sore but it can also cause structural damage to a property. Dry and wet rot are two of the many forms. Both cases are caused by a combination moisture and fungus. Dry and wet rots can be fixed but it's best to stop it at the source. Property owners should check for rot on areas that are prone to getting damp, such as windows outside, timber beams, and basement subfloors. They should also check for any gaps or cracks.
If a hole is discovered, the area should be cleaned and filled with a water-resistant timber filler. After the wood is dry it is then stained to match the surrounding material. It's important to test a stain on wood on a small portion of the filler material before applying it. This will ensure that the stain doesn't change color, corrode, or alter the look of your woodwork.
Wet rot can be identified by its musty odor that is like that of soil that is rotting. It is also softer and easier to feel than uninfected wood. Dry rot is harder to detect. This kind of fungus attack timber cells, causing them fragment and break down.
Dry rot is typically more difficult to fix than wet rot due to the fact that it can penetrate deeper into the materials. However, it can be prevented by finding the source of moisture and repairing it, for instance, a leak or getting into damp. It is also important to regularly clean out your gutters to avoid accumulation of water that could lead to leaks in the home or a basement that has been flooded.
Homeowners can also reduce the risk of decay by keeping windows open and using a dehumidifier in basements and crawl spaces. They should also ensure to clean the sealant or caulking around doors and windows to prevent water from getting into gaps. Additionally they should replace cracked or damaged timbers.