How to Get Your Windows Repair Done Right the First Time
A storm that is severe, a rock dropped by the lawnmowers or an accident at home could cause your windows to crack. You may be able manage with temporary fixes until a Mr. Handyman from Anne Arundel & North PG professional comes to fix the damage.
The use of clear masking tape or packing tape can help prevent superficial cracks like spider cracks from getting more severe. Tape both sides of the crack.
Frames that are rotten
The wood rot that surrounds your windows is not just unsightly and ugly, but it could be a security risk. It can also lower the energy efficiency of a home. The frames that are rotten can let cold air into your home, and warm air out, causing you to lose money. This is because the rotting wood allows moisture to penetrate and degrade the inner frame, reducing its ability to keep cool or warm air inside your home.
Additionally, a weak window frame can leave your home vulnerable to burglars who can easily break through the window to gain access to the interior of your home. Rebuilding and repairing your wooden windows can prevent this type of damage, making your home more secure and attractive.
It's important to repair your wooden window frames or sills in the earliest time possible to prevent the issue from getting worse. Often, the first sign of rot is visible cracks in your paint, or spots of discoloration on the wood. More advanced signs of rotting will be a softer feeling to the wood, or a growth of mold on the interior of your window frames.
If you experience any of these signs you must call in an expert to assess the damage and repair it as soon as you can. Wood rot is a fast-growing issue and the earlier you address it, the less expensive and easier it will be to repair. If you do not address it until the entire wood has turned to rot and is unaffordable to repair.
Fortunately, windows with rotting frames and sills can be repaired in 95% of cases where the rot has been discovered early. Our experienced and skilled technicians can replace the damaged areas of the frame, leaving you with windows as fresh as new.
Muntins and Mullions
The mullions or muntins between your window panes serve as more than simply decorative elements. They also help support the glass. Therefore, they are a common component of a window to become damaged or broken. It doesn't matter if they are real, faux or both, if your muntins or mullions become chipped, cracked, or dented, it is crucial to repair them. They can make your home look less attractive.
Muntins & Mullions
While they look similar and are often mistaken for each other (perhaps the alliteration aids), mullions and muntins are two distinct components of a window. To avoid confusion and miscommunication, a reputable window installation firm will explain the distinctions between these two components.
Mullions or dividers are typical in multi-paned windows. In the past, they were used to support and separate large sheets of glass. They are a decorative element and design in your home.
The mullions of your windows aren't the strongest part, but they do offer some security. If a burglar breaks a window pane then he'll probably smash the mullion in order to gain entry to your home.
Muntins and mullions that are damaged can be repaired with putty. Window repair specialists clean the surface, apply new putty, and then secure them back in place. This is a relatively easy repair to your windows and shouldn't interfere with the functioning of your windows.
If your windows are leaking or not opening and closing correctly, there could be issues with the sashes or frame. Certain sashes are stuck in the frames because of broken springs or cords. They may be too heavy or have fallen off the track. A sash that is difficult to lower or raise can usually be fixed by re-balancing the springs and weights.
If you have an older window that has only one pane of glass The wood strips that hold the glass in place are called muntins or mullions. If they start to rot and become damaged, you'll need to replace them. Window repair experts can replace rotten muntins and the mullions with no impact on the performance of your windows.
The sills of old windows might not slope downward enough to allow for drainage of water. Examine the sill to confirm that it slopes away from the home. If it isn't, a new drip cap could be put in place. This simple procedure can lower the possibility of moisture infiltration.
Sashes
If your window sashes aren't working correctly, it's important to examine the situation. Wooden windows sashes can be affected by changes in weather and the passing of time. If they don't open properly, water or air can quickly get into the room. Similar events can cause aluminum sashes become ineffective. Sweating and dampness around windows are common symptoms of these problems.
The most frequent cause of issues with sash is simple wear and tear. They can be corrected by filling the area before re-painting. However, more serious issues may require the dismantling of the sash. This is a task best left to professional window repair companies.
The sash is disassembled by first by removing the locking pins as well as the sash cords from the window frame. Then, you need to remove the parting beads (vertical strips holding the upper window sash). Finally take out the upper window sash. Once the sash is unlocked, you can remove the hardware that holds it and put it in a safe place.
The mortise and tenon joints of the sash are joined by wooden pegs. Remove the pegs using the hammer and pin. The pegs tend to be larger on one side than on the other. Remove the pegs from the smaller end in order to avoid damaging the sash.
There are pockets in which the glass panes are held once the sash has been completely disassembled. These pockets are typically fixed by screws or pins. They must be gently smashed with a sharp blade.
Once the pockets are removed the sash can be re-bedded in a new glaze compound. The person who is beding the sash by holding it up against a homemade easel and working the compound into the groove or rabbet, around the pane opening. Once the sash is bedded it is allowed to dry for two days before being reassembled. The sash is then treated using a homemade wood preserver made of one-half mineral spirits and one-half boiled linseed oil. This will help reduce the amount of draughts and increase the ability to close and open the window.
Drip Caps
Drip caps are basic, almost invisible caps that redirect water away from windows during a rainstorm. They are typically made from wood, but could also be constructed of bricks or other masonry. Some drip caps are designed to be decorative, while others have a more utilitarian appearance. Whatever the design, a quality drip cap should be able to withstand the elements and keep water from leaking behind the casings, where it can cause wood decay.
A drip cap can be installed by a homeowner using the use of a few tools and a little know-how. However most homeowners prefer to have a professional contractor install their drip cap. The drip cap must be secured to the sheathing around windows at least an inch away from trim board and the slope should be away from the window. It is important to use galvanized nails and to apply a high-quality exterior grade sealant to the underside of the drip cap as well as the sheathing.
Drip caps can be purchased preformed from most home improvement stores and window retailers homeowners can make them at home with a sheet of aluminum along with a vice and basic tools. To do this, a homeowner must first take off or cut the siding that is above the window and then cut the drip cap to a length that is slightly wider than the window. After the drip cap has been cut, it is slipped under the tape, and then nailed using galvanized nails to the sheathing. The cap should be nailed at both ends and fixed to the sheathing.