So , You've Bought Double Glazing Windows Repairs ... Now What?
Double Glazing Windows Repairs
Double glazing can help keep heat inside your home, and prevent cold air from escaping. This can save you money on energy bills. It also reduces the fade of soft furnishings, wood and paintings.
Sometimes, however, a repair of a window is required. Luckily, double-glazed windows are fairly simple to fix by professional window specialists.
Cracked Panes
Cracked glass isn't only an eye-sore; it can compromise your window's insulation, increasing energy bills. It could also pose a safety risk and allow moisture and condensation to get into. Even tiny cracks, if not addressed, can continue to expand. This is why it's so important to fix any double-glazing windows that are cracked or broken panes as soon as you detect them.
Double-paned windows are designed to provide better insulation from cold and heat as compared to conventional windows. The double-paned windows trap a layer between the two panes that blocks draughts. However, if the seals or glass are damaged and the advantages of double-paned windows will be lost. Fortunately double-paned windows are fairly easy to fix.
The first thing to do if your window has cracked is to clean it thoroughly. If your window was exposed to strong winds recently, it could have been blasted with debris such as pebbles or hailstones that caused it to crack. They can be cleaned with a little water.
The next step is to determine the size and location of the crack. If the crack is only a few centimetres in length, a strip of clear tape may suffice to stop it from getting worse. You can use an adhesive that is sold in hardware stores to repair larger cracks. Follow the directions and allow the adhesive to dry completely.
Filling the gap with putty that is made for glass is another option. Some are sold as kits that include a tool used to apply the glue. Others can be rolled into ropes and then pressed into the crack. Some kits can also be suitable for filling glass chips, but you need to be careful not to fill them too full and cause further damage.
If you have cracks that extend beyond the frame, or if it's a split in the insulated glass, it's time to consult an expert. This kind of damage will require more complicated repairs and could be a requirement for replacing the entire pane.
Foggy Panes
You can repair dual pane windows if they're fogging up. Foggy windows are caused by condensation between the glass panes and can be resolved by removing the affected pane, by using a dehumidifier to eliminate any moisture that remains, and then reinserting the window with new seals. The process is fast inexpensive and efficient.
Although you might be tempted to tackle a DIY repair job by yourself, this is a task best left to a skilled professional. You can break the glass or hurt yourself if try to clear double-pane windows without removing them. You'll also require specialized tools and might not be able to create a good seal by drilling holes in the window without knowing how. You'll end with a window that is unable to keep it dry, and also a hole that lets dust, debris, and other contaminants to get into the window.
If you attempt to clean windows with double panes with a wet towel the problem can worsen. If the water dries on the window's surface, you can wipe it off using a damp rag. However, if the water seeps into the panes, it will not be removed. Windows that appear to be soiled are a sign that the seals have broken and to fix them, you'll need to get an expert.
There are several ways you can prevent your windows from becoming foggy in the first place. Clean your windows regularly to ensure that the fog is not caused by fingerprints or grease. Make use of fans in rooms that generate large amounts of steam, like kitchens and bathrooms to ensure that the air is moving. Avoid using humidifiers, and only use them if you have to.
Double-paned windows that appear to be foggy could be an indication of damaged or worn seals, which let moisture in and cause condensation. In the majority of instances, this is corrected by replacing the window pane and resealing it. However, professional assistance is required to ensure that the job is done correctly and to your satisfaction.
Leaking Panes
Condensation between the panes in double-glazed windows is an inconvenience however it also indicates that they have lost the gas that insulates them. This is because of a damaged seal that has to be replaced to keep your home warm and dry.
A leaking window can be more than an inconvenience. It can also cause damage to the structure of your home and mold growth, as well as damp ceilings and walls. It's important to fix any leaks immediately you notice them, so that the issue doesn't get worse over time.
Contact the company who installed your windows to talk to the representative of the company who installed your windows. They should be able to give you an idea of what can be fixed and not be fixed, as well as what it will cost to fix it.
You can fix double-glazed windows that are old by using an online DIY guide. There are a variety of guides available online that show you how to lubricate hinges and handles as well in tightening mechanisms or screws that aren't functioning correctly. Most of the time, this will fix the issue and your windows or doors will once again be easy to open and close.
Caulking can be used to seal gaps around double-glazed windows. This is particularly useful when the frames are in contact with the double-glazed window. But be cautious not to use too much. A gap greater than 1/4 inch could allow moisture to enter your home, which is why it is important to consult a professional before adding any sealants to your windows.
A leaking window can be caused by many things, including gaps in the flashing and windows that aren't fitted correctly. It is also recommended to have your windows checked to see if there are any drainage pipes that are clogged which could cause water to leak into and collect under your sill. It is essential to ensure that your window sill slopes properly so that water drains away from the frame, and not under or on top.
Broken Seals
Double and triple paned windows are now available with three or more panes of glass separated by an air space and sealed around the edge. This type of window is called an Insulated Glazing Unit (IGU). IGU windows also have an insulative inert gas such as argon or krypton in between the panes to reduce cold or heat transfer through the glass. If one or more the seals on windows breaks, it means that the inert gas insulative has leaked out, eliminating the additional insulation benefit.
The seals around windows can be damaged due to a variety of causes. This includes natural house settlement, which can cause uneven pressure. High winds, especially when there's a lot of dust in the air, may also cause damage to the seals. The seals of windows can be damaged by harsh chemicals, like those used to strip paint or extreme temperatures.
If a window seal is damaged, it can lead to various problems, such as unresolved draughts, increased energy consumption and misted or cloudy windows. The good news is that the majority of the time that the window seal breaks, it can be repaired rather than replaced.
To fix an unsound seal professional will need to clean the surface of the glass and the frame, remove the IGU, replace the faulty window seal and refit it back into the frame. upvc window repairs is a complex process, so it is crucial to work with an expert for this kind of window repair.
If your windows are starting to appear foggy or you've noticed unexplained drafts, it could be time to consider double glazing repairs. Work with a local window installation company to determine if your current windows can be repaired or whether it's time for like-for-like replacement windows to provide your home with a more energy efficient upgrade.