Window Repair - Know The Different Types Of Repairs For Old Windows

Window repair - There comes a time in every house's life when one or all of the windows need to be addressed

. Constant exposure to the elements, frequent use, and less than quality manufacturing are just a few factors that require a window to need repairing.

Window Sill Replacement

This window repair is primarily required for older wood windows. Because it is at the bottom of the window, the window sill is the most susceptible to water damage. This is typically the reason for a window repair involving the window sill.

This type of window repair is essential to prevent future rotting and decay on the window frame. Over time if this window repair is not performed water will continue to rot the sill out and potentially gain entrance into the wall itself causing greater damage to the home.

A rotted window sill may be very obvious just by visual inspection. If the rot is extensive enough, the sill will appear cracked and possibly with pieces missing. However, a window repair on the sill may be required and you may not even know it. A quick way to check to see if there is water infiltration issues is to tap across the sill with a small screwdriver or other object. If the window sill is solid it will give you a solid tapping sound and feel sturdy when tapped. If you hear a softer "thud" and the screwdriver does not "bounce" off the sill, you may have some rotting wood starting on the sill.

Be sure to focus on the corners and joints on the window sill. This is where water is most likely to infiltrate the frame and create rot. Look for softening in these areas first. A preventative maintenance schedule to regularly check your windows and perform minor window repair as needed will prevent any large scale problems from occurring. Regular painting and caulking of the joints must be done with old wood windows to help prevent the need for a window repair on the sill. It can not be stressed enough how important it is to insure that the joints are properly sealed to prevent water from getting into the new window sill repair.

In most cases, a window sill replacement can be done on old wood windows to repair the window sill. However, it should be understood that this is not a simple undertaking and it would be wise to employ the services of a carpenter or someone who has experience with repairing and replacing window sills. If the window sill is improperly installed or not properly sealed after installation, there could be water infiltration issues in the future that could require the replacement of the window sill again.

Window Sash Replacement

Another window repair that you may encounter is a window sash replacement. This repair can be done for several reasons: glass breakage, wood rot, or improving energy efficiency. Depending upon the type of window a window sash replacement can be easy or difficult. If it is an older home with rope and pulley double hung windows a window sash replacement is not a terribly difficult window repair. Many times the old window sashes are not able to be used again if there is excessive damage or rot to the frame. In this case, a good carpenter can fabricate some window sills and allow them to use new lumber and glass to fabricate a wood window sash to match the old existing window sash.

Window Glass Replacement

Window glass replacement is usually required for three reasons: The glass has been broken by external force, the insulated seal has failed, and improving energy efficiency of the window. The ease of a window repair involving glass replacement depends upon several factors:

Age of the window

Type of window

Size of window

How the window is glazed

In many cases a local glass company will be able to provide glass and service to handle a window glass replacement. However, be aware that if it is an older, single pane (glass) window it may require a more extensive process to replace the glass. Also, if the window is a brand name window you may want to contact the window manufacturer directly.

In some cases these companies use glass and low e coatings unique to their windows. If you do not match the glass exactly you could wind up with glazing that has a different tint than the rest of the windows in your home. Be sure to have the glass company come out to the house to determine exactly what type of glass you have in your home. Do not assume they know the type of glass because there are many manufacturers and they all have some different features available in their glass.

by: Justin M Howe

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