Double Glazing Windows Repairs
Double glazing helps keep heat inside your home and prevents cold air from venting out which can save you money on energy bills. It also helps prevent fading of soft furniture, paintings and wood.
Sometimes it is necessary to repair of a window is needed. Luckily, double-glazed windows are relatively easy to fix by skilled window specialists.
Cracked Panes
Cracked glass isn't just an eyesore it can also compromise the insulation value of your windows and increase energy costs. It could also pose a safety risk and allow condensation and moisture to enter. Even tiny cracks, if left unchecked, will continue to increase in size. It is important to fix double glazing windows that have cracked or broken panes immediately.
Double-paned windows are designed to provide better insulation from cold and heat as compared to standard windows. Double-paned windows create a layer between the two panes that prevents drafts. However, if glass or seals are damaged then the benefits of double-paned windows will be lost. Fortunately double-paned windows remain fairly easy to repair.
If your window is damaged the first thing to do is to clean it thoroughly. If your window was exposed to strong winds, it may have been blasted by debris like pebbles and hailstones, which caused it to crack. RepairMyWindowsAndDoors can be removed with the help of water.
The next step is to determine the size and location of the crack. If the crack is just small enough to be a few centimetres A strip of clear tape can be used to stop it from becoming worse. For larger cracks, you can apply an adhesive that is sold in hardware stores to fix glass. Follow the directions and allow the adhesive to dry completely.
Another alternative is to fill the crack with a putty specifically designed for glass. There are kits available with a tool to apply the glue. Others can be made into ropes and pressed into the crack. Some kits can also be suitable for filling glass chips, but you need to be careful not to overfill and cause further damage.
It's time to consult an expert if there is cracks or splits that extends beyond the frame, or if glass that is insulated has been damaged. This type of damage requires more complex repairs and may be a requirement for replacing the entire pane.
Foggy Panes
You can repair dual pane windows if they are getting cloudy. Foggy windows are often caused by condensation that forms between the glass panes. This can be addressed by removing the affected window using a humidifier, which will remove the remaining moisture and then reinstalling the window with the new seals. The process is quick, cheap and effective.
You might be enticed by the idea of doing the DIY task, but it is best left to the professionals. You could break the glass or hurt yourself if attempt to remove the fog from double-pane windows without removing them. You'll also require special tools and could be unable to make a solid seal if you drill holes into the window without proper knowledge. The result is windows that struggle to keep its exterior dry, and the hole that you made will let dust and other pollutants to enter.
If you try to clean your double pane windows using a wet cloth can actually make the problem worse. If moisture dries out on the window's surface you can clean it off using a damp rag. However, if the moisture seeps between the panes, this cannot be removed. Foggy windows can be a sign of broken seals. To fix them, call an expert.
You can prevent your windows getting foggy by preventing them from fogging up in the first place. Clean your windows frequently to ensure that the haze isn't the result of grease or fingerprints. Use fans in rooms that produce large amounts of steam, such as kitchens and bathrooms to ensure that the air is moving. Avoid using humidifiers and only use them if you are required to.
Double-pane windows that are stained or smudgey are an indication that the seals between the windows have worn out or cracked open that allows moisture to be able to enter and cause condensation. It can be resolved in the majority of cases by having the damaged window pane repaired and sealed, but it will still require the assistance of a professional to ensure the task is done correctly and to your satisfaction.
Leaking Panes
Seeing condensation in between panes of your double-glazed windows isn't only a problem; it also means that the gas that keeps them warm is gone. This is due to a broken seal that needs to be replaced in order to keep your home dry and warm.
A window that leaks can be more than an inconvenience. It can also cause damage to the structure of your home as well as mold growth and damp walls and ceilings. It is crucial to repair any leaks as soon as you notice them, to ensure that the problem doesn't become worse over time.
The best way to fix your leaky double-glazing is to contact the company that installed your windows and talk to the representative. They will be able to give you an idea of what could be fixed and what can't, and what it will cost to do so.
If you have an older design of double-glazed windows, it could be easier to repair them with the help of a DIY guide online. There are many guides that walk you through the process of oiling hinges and handles, and also tighten mechanisms and screws that aren't working properly. This can often fix the problem and let you open or close your windows and doors again.
Caulking can be used to seal up gaps around your double-glazed windows, particularly around the places when they touch the frames. Be careful not to overfill the gaps. A gap that is larger than 1/4 inch may let moisture into your home. Consult with a professional before adding sealants to windows.
Many things can cause a window to leak, such as gaps in the flashing or windows that are not fitted correctly. You should also have your windows checked to see if there are any drainage pipes that are clogged, which could allow water to leak through and pool under your sill. It's crucial to ensure that your window sill slopes properly to allow water to drain away from the frame and not on or under the top.
Broken Seals
Double and triple paned windows are now offered with three or two separate panes of glass separated by an air space and then sealed around the edges. This kind of window is referred to as an IGU, or insulated glazing unit (IGU). IGU windows also feature an insulative inert gas, such as argon and krypton between the panes to reduce cold or heat transfer through the glass. If one or more these windows seals breaks it is a sign that the inert gas insulative has escaped, removing the insulation benefits.
Window seals can break due to a variety of factors such as natural house settling which can put uneven pressure on the framing around the windows. High winds can also cause damage to the seals, especially if there's lots of dust in the air. Window seals can also be damaged when they're exposed to harsh chemicals such as those used in paint stripping or when they're exposed to extreme temperatures.
If a seal is damaged, it can cause many issues, including draughts that are not explained, increased energy consumption, and misted or cloudy windows. It's good to know that, in the majority of cases, a damaged window seal can be fixed instead of being replaced.
To repair an unsound seal professional will need to clean the glass's surface and the frame, take out the IGU and replace the damaged window seal, and then reinstall it back into place. This can be a complicated procedure, so it's essential to hire an expert for this type of window repair.
So, if your windows are starting to look foggy or you've noticed strange drafts then it might be time to consider double glazing repairs. Contact an installation service in your area to determine if the existing windows can be fixed, or when it's time to get like-for-like replacement windows to provide your home with an energy efficient upgrade.