How to Find a Window Repair Near You Whether your home has vintage wood single-pane windows or energy efficient double-hung windows made of vinyl, the best window repair service can help. The company should provide an estimate free of charge and a guarantee for its work. Some window companies offer lifetime warranties on frames, sashes and locks. Other companies offer limited warranties that expire at varying dates. Paint that has chipped or peeled If the window frame paint starts to peel or chip, it is usually time to apply a fresh coat. window repairs applied interior paint can last 5 to 10 years indoors. While exterior paint could last 7 to 10 years depending upon climate conditions. Even the best-applied paint will deteriorate due to age and exposure the elements. Paint peels and chips because of wear and tear from sun, snow and rain as well as from regular use by you and other people living in your home. Peeling paint may expose wood, which can lead to moisture problems. Insufficient caulking or a loose seal can cause problems with moisture in wooden window frames. If moisture isn't treated promptly, it could get into the frame or sill and cause decay. To repair a peeling window, remove all loose paint with a scraper or wire brush and sand the area to smooth rough edges. If a chemical stripper or heat gun is employed, follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully to ensure that you don't damage the glass and timber frame. Paint the wood surface with an oil-based primer which blocks stains, and then paint it with high-quality enamel. Examine the entire frame of the window to ensure that there are no signs of rot or structural damage. Minor rot is usually repaired using a high-quality wood putty. Some artists also prefer to apply a preservative that is waterproof to the bare wood at this point to keep from future problems like rot or mildew. It is not always necessary. Coffee-Like Stains When cleaning windows, people frequently come across stains that resemble tea or coffee. These stainings are caused by condensation which occurs when warm air from the inside of your home comes into contact with cool glass or windows. This problem is more likely to occur in the winter months when colder temperatures outside can cause your home's interior air to get warmer and more humid. There are many ways to remove these unsightly stainings, without causing damage to your window sills and blinds. Start by removing dust or dirt using a non-scratch cloth. After moistening a clean, lint free cloth with water, place your cleaner on the surface of your window then wipe it around and back. Repeat the process until you have removed the stain. If the stains aren't gone, you may need to take a more aggressive method. A range of abrasive scrubbers is available to remove even the most difficult stain without damaging or scratching your glass. Steel wool sponges, rough green sponges and a product called a magic eraser are all popular options. The texture of the magic eraser is similar to that of very fine sandpaper. Follow the instructions on the package when using any of these products to ensure that you do not damage your glass. A clean, lint-free paper towel or rag is a second option to prevent future hard-water stains. This will take away the minerals from your glass before they can etch the surface. This can be extremely expensive and difficult to get rid of. Water Damage Over time, even the most well-sealed windows may suffer water damage. The wood frames are slowly deteriorating due to exposure to weather and moisture. The wood will eventually rot, causing serious problems. In most instances, if the damage is not checked, you'll have to replace the entire window frame. If you spot the issue early, you will save money on expensive repairs. Water staining is the most typical sign that your windows have suffered water damage. The stains are circular or oval spots that appear in yellow, brown and white shades. They usually appear close to the corners of windows. They can be caused by a variety of factors, including a lack or sun or a buildup in the sill pan. The growth of mold around the window frame is a further sign of water damage. The growth of mold can be seen in areas that have excess moisture, and it could quickly expand throughout your home if not addressed. This is because mold produces spores that can impact your health and wellbeing. If you find that your window frames have begun to show signs of discoloration, you'll need to call in the experts to replace the damaged parts. In some cases the rotting could be so severe that it could cause a sagging of the drywall around the frame, which can be extremely dangerous. In the meantime, be looking for other indicators of a window that are leaky, which can help you deal with the issue before it becomes out of control. You could look for an unpleasant smell emanating from damp wood or soft spots that feel like they are spongy. Frames that are Rotted When water seeps into wooden window frames, it could encourage the growth of fungi that cause wood to begin to rot. Wood rot is not only visually unattractive, but it can cause health problems for you and your family. If you notice lots of decayed wooden around your windows, then it's time to replace them. It is possible to identify a rotten frame by its appearance. The wood appears soft and discolored. It is also possible to observe that the paint has slid off the wood's surface. The best method to determine if rot has occurred is to feel the wood. Solid, healthy wood is dense and firm. Rotted wood is soft and mushy. If the window frame of your wooden home is rotting, you should use a hammer and chisel to remove the rotten area. You must do this with care to avoid damaging the surrounding areas. After the rot has been removed, you can use wood filler to repair any cracks. Once the repair is completed then you can sand the wood before applying several waterproof wood sealer coats. The decay of window frames can cause mildew and mold, which could result in a variety of health problems. Molds can trigger symptoms such as a stuffy nose or itchy eyes if you're sensitive. If you suffer from asthma these symptoms can become much more severe. When rotted wood is repaired, it's important to remember that the repairs made using splices will allow more moisture into the frame than usual. This can cause additional problems such as leaks and degradation of the window itself. Muntins & Mullions Although the words mullions as well as muntins sound similar and are often used interchangeably, these two windows have different purposes. When it comes to selecting new windows, it's important to know the difference between these types of windows so you can select the most appropriate style for your home. The differences between a mullion and a muntin can have a significant impact on the appearance of your window as well as its functionality and authenticity. A muntin is a vertical divider used to separate the glass panes within the window. The termmuntin however, is reserved for the inner frames of a window. The frames on the outside are known as stiles and rails. It could be that their alliterative sounds are similar or their function as structural support components has led to their interchangeability. Mullions were originally designed to provide additional support to large windows, since the outer walls of early structures were not able to withstand the weight of large pieces of glass. Mullions and muntins were also used to decorate windows while keeping the glass in place. Today, mullions and muntins are usually used to decorate windows for aesthetic reasons. There are a variety of muntins available today, including those that are built between the glass and the actual units. They can be made from wood, vinyl or aluminum. They have the appearance of traditional multi-paned windows, without sacrificing energy efficiency. Certain windows even have real and simulated muntins for a more customizable appearance.
window repairs
