How to Find a Window Repair Near You
If your home is equipped with vintage wood single-pane windows or energy efficient double-hung vinyl windows, the right window repair service can help. The company should provide an estimate for free and a warranty for the work it does.
Some window companies offer lifetime warranties on frames, sashes and locks. Others offer limited warranties that expire at various dates.
Paint that has chipped or peeled
If the window frame paint starts to chip or peel it's usually an indication that it's time to get a new coat. Well-applied interior paint will last between 5 and 10 years indoors. While exterior paint may last about 7 to 10 years based upon climate conditions. Even the best-applied paint will deteriorate as time passes and exposure to the elements. Paint chips and peels because of wear and tear caused by the sun, snow and rain, as well as from regular use by you and other people within your home.
Peeling paint can expose bare wood, which can result in moisture issues. Insufficient caulking or a loose seal could cause moisture issues in wooden window frames. If moisture is not treated in a timely manner it can get into the sill or frame and cause mold or rot.
To repair a glass that is peeling remove all paint by using a scraper or wire brush and sand the rough edges. If a chemical stripper or heat gun is used be sure to follow the instructions of the manufacturer carefully to ensure that you don't damage the glass and frame of timber. Prime the wood using a stain-blocking, oil-based primer and then finish it off with a high-quality enamel paint.
Check the entire frame of your window to ensure that there aren't any signs of rot. In the majority of cases minor rot can be fixed with a high-quality wood putty. Some painters prefer to apply a preservative that is waterproof to the wood at this point, to help keep from future problems like rot or mildew. However, this isn't always required.
Coffee-Like Stains
One of the most frequent issues that people face when cleaning their windows is the appearance of stains that appear like tea or coffee. These streaks are caused by condensation, which occurs when warm air from inside of your home is brought into contact with cool glass or windows. This issue is more likely to occur during the winter, as colder temperatures in the outdoors can cause your home's interior air to become warmer and more humid.
There are many ways to remove these ugly stainings, without causing damage to your window sills and blinds. Start by cleaning any dust or dirt build-up using a microfiber fabric or a non-scratch sponge. Then wet the clean, lint-free cloth with water and apply the cleaner on the glass's surface, wiping it in the direction of a back-and-forth movement. Repeat until the stains are removed.
If the staining continues to persist, you may have to employ a more abrasive method. There are a variety of abrasive cleaners that can remove even the most difficult stains from your glass without harming it. Steel wool rough green sponges, rough green sponges as well as a product called the magic eraser are well-known alternatives. The texture of the magic eraser is similar to that of fine sandpaper. Follow the instructions on the packaging when using any of these products to ensure you don't harm your glass.
A clean, lint-free rag or paper towel is a second option to prevent future hard-water stains. This will remove the minerals from your glass before they scratch the surface. This can be extremely difficult and costly to get rid of.
Water Damage
In time, even the windows with the best seals can suffer from water damage. The wooden frames slowly degrading due to constant exposure to weather and moisture. The wood will eventually begin to rot and cause serious problems. If the damage is not taken care of, you could need to replace the entire window frame. However, if you catch the issue in its early stages, you can save costly repair costs.
Water staining is the most frequent indication that your windows have experienced water damage. The stains appear as round or oval spots that are yellow, brown, and white in color. They usually appear around the corners of your window and can be caused by a variety of factors such as a lack of sun or the accumulation of dirt in the sill pan.
The appearance of mold around the window frame is a further indication of water damage. Mold can grow in areas of high moisture and spread quickly throughout your home if you don't address it. This is because mold produces the spores which can affect your health and wellbeing.
If you find that your window frames have begun to show signs of discoloration, you'll require experts to replace the damaged parts. In some instances, rotting can go so that it causes drywall to shift around the frame of the window. This could be a dangerous situation. You can also search for other indicators that indicate a leaky window to spot the issue before it becomes out of hand. These include a musty odor that is a result of damp wood soft spots that feel like they are spongy or a crumbly or brittle texture.
Rotted Frames
Water can cause wood to rot if it is placed in wooden window frames. Wood rot is not only ugly, but it could cause health problems for you and your family. If there is a large amount of rotten wood around your windows, it is likely that it is time to replace them instead of repair them.
It is possible to identify a rotten frame by its appearance. The wood will appear soft and discolored. It is also possible to observe that the paint has peeled off the wooden surface. The most effective method to determine if rot has occurred is to feel the wood. Healthy, solid wood is hard and brittle. Wood that is rotten will feel soft and mushy.
If your window frame made of wood is beginning to decay, employ a hammer and chisel to get rid of the decayed area. It is important to do this in a cautious manner to avoid damaging the surrounding areas. After window repairs has been eliminated, use wood filler on any cracks. After the repair, you will need to sand down the wood and apply several waterproof wood sealer coatings.
Window frames that are rotten can trigger mildew and mold, which can lead to a number of health problems. If you are a mold sensitivity you might suffer from symptoms like a stuffy nose and itchy eyes when exposed to these substances. If you suffer from asthma, the symptoms may become more severe.
It is crucial to remember that when rotten wood is repaired, the spliced repair will allow more moisture to the frame than it would normally. This could cause further issues such as leaks and degrading of the window.
Muntins and Mullions
Although the words mullions and muntins sound the same and are frequently used interchangeably, the two components of windows serve different functions. It is crucial to know the distinctions between these types of windows when you are choosing windows for your home to ensure you pick the best design for your house. The distinctions between a mullion and a muntin could have a an impact on the appearance of your window as well as its functionality and authenticity.
In essence, a muntin is any kind of vertical divider that divides the glass panes within windows. However, the term muntin is typically reserved for inner pieces of a window while the frames that surround it are referred to as stiles and rails. It is possible that their alliterative similarity or their use as structural components have led to the usage of these terms interchangeably.
Originally, mullions were designed to support large windows as the walls on the outside of older buildings were unable to support the weight. The mullions and muntins were also used to decorate the windows while keeping the glass in place. Muntins and mullions serve only a decorative function.
There are a variety of kinds of muntins that are suitable for windows, such as between-the-glass designs that are built into the actual glass units. They can be constructed of wood, vinyl or aluminum. They look like traditional multi-paned windows, but without losing energy efficiency. Some windows come with real and fake muntins to create a more unique appearance.