Here are Some Great Simple Window Repair Tips

Maybe your wood sashes are peeling, cracked and tend to rattle in the wind or the insulated glass has become filled with foggy condensation in its vinyl casement. Your aluminum slider may also be on its last leg. Regardless of the situation, you know there is a window problem and it is probably going to burn a hole in your pocket. When homeowners are faced with such issues, they immediately jump to the conclusion that the windows require replacement. The problem is that this can be a very expensive decision and not everyone can afford to get it done. The good news is that a lot of the symptoms mentioned above and many others can be fixed through some repairs.

You not only save on the cost of widow replacement, but can also boost the energy efficiency of the windows. Listed below are some window fitters tips to repairing windows that will come in handy in the long run:

All-wood windows 

If maintained properly, wood windows can last for as long as 100 years, but they degrade quickly if they are left unpainted. Even if you neglect them for years, the damage will mostly be superficial, which means that it looks worse than it actually is. There is no need to rebuild such windows because you can use penetrating liquid epoxy for renewing areas of rotted wood. Use epoxy putty for filling holes in sashes and sills; it is paintable and sashes easily.

Non-wood windows 

Windows that are made of vinyl, aluminum and fiberglass have a life of at least 20 years. The only downside is that the gaskets sealing their sashes don’t last as long. You can repair the small rips and holes by removing the sash and then cover the damage with silicone sealant. If the gaskets have to be replaced, you can get in touch with the specialty supplier or a window manufacturer. You can prevent water from damaging the wood core by caulking any cracks or punctures in aluminum or vinyl windows.

Saving energy 

You will be able to benefit from energy savings by doing repairs that enable your windows to prevent air leakage. The worse shapes of the windows, the higher the fuel savings and you can also save on the cost of replacement.

Harware issues 

Before you replace an awning window, or a casement’s cranky mechanism, first clean them and use white lithium grease for lubricating. Install a new mechanism if that doesn’t make a difference.

Glass problems 

Glass is glazed in most wooden windows i.e. it is held with small metal pieces that are known as points and then sealed with putty. Even if the glass has no issue, you should replace missing or cracked putty. Glazing requires practice, but is worth the effort. A cracked single-pane glass also requires replacement. As for a fogged or cracked double-pane glass windows, they should be replaced or resealed with a glass fabricator.

These simple repairing tips can be immensely useful as they eliminate the need to replace windows entirely.