Double Glazing Window Repair

Over time, double glazing may develop issues. For instance, it may be difficult to open the windows or have a door that snags. Fortunately the problems can be fixed with ease.

Many homeowners try to fix these issues themselves, however, this should be left to the experts. Trying to do this without the proper tools and knowledge can lead to damage.

Broken Panes

A broken window pane can be a frustrating and a hassle. It can let cold or hot air into your home and leave a gap that allows debris or moisture to enter. This can affect the efficiency of your AC or furnace will have to work harder to keep your home warm. Depending on the season and whether you have single-pane or double-pane windows, you may be able to temporarily fix the damage by using silicone sealant. However for a permanent fix, you will require expert assistance.

A window that is cracked can be fixed with high-quality tape. A strip of tape can be placed over the crack to stop it from getting any worse. A crack that is large enough to penetrate the glass, or is too large to cover with tape, will require to be replaced completely.

Broken glass can be caused by many things: a pebble from the lawnmowers that strikes the window drinking a drink that is set too heavily on a table with a glass top; or a pet's excited leap when you open the door. The frames of your window can shift over time and break the plastic that holds the glass sheets in position.

If you've broken a glass pane, you should wear thick gloves and place an empty cardboard box in the vicinity to collect the fragments. Take the sash off and work on an even surface, like the table. Wear a mask to ensure not to breathe in the glass shards.

After you have removed the old glass, remove any varnish and paint from the window frame. You could also use a heat gun to soften any old glazing putty and metal glazing points that kept the glass in place.

Then, you can measure the opening for a new pane. To allow for expansion and contracting it is recommended to purchase an alternative glass that is slightly smaller than the opening. Have your local hardware or home center cut the glass to these measurements.

Once you have the glass, you can press it into the frame. If there are gaps, fill them in with silicone caulk that you can buy at a local window repair home improvement store. Smooth the caulk with a putty knife. Add glaziers' points to the frames and corners of the glass every six inches so that the pane is held securely.

Condensation

Condensation can happen on double-glazed windows, no matter if they are brand new. This is particularly true in winter, when colder air meets warm glass. It could be a problem but it is not usually an problem. Condensation on windows is an indication that your double glazing system is functioning correctly.

It can be an indication that your seal is not working and moisture is entering the gap. You may notice an appearance of milky water on the window, or water beads appearing across its surface. This will need to be addressed to stop mold, mildew or any further damage.

Fortunately condensation can be gotten rid of quite easily. A technician will drill small holes into the window's frame to allow the moisture that has been trapped escape. The process is referred to as defogging. It also can aid in removing any stains that are caused by the trapped moisture.

The defrogging process does not solve the root cause of a damaged window seal. It might not even work if the condensation has gone away, because the compromised air between the panes may still be there. This could mean that you still not receive as much heat insulation from your windows as you could.

It's important to consult an expert as soon as you detect moisture in your windows to determine the next steps. They may recommend solutions such as adding vents to windows that let fresh air to enter but don't allow warm air to escape.

It's the last thing you'll need for your double-glazing to go down. This is particularly true when it will be costly to replace. With the right equipment, skills and knowledge, you can repair your double-glazed window to keep it in good shape for a long time. If you need repair work on your double glazing, contact us today to see what we can do to help. We offer a full range of services including replacing one or more panes of glass to installing energy-efficient upgrades.

Leaks

A leak is a big problem as it means that you may have damp ingress which can lead to damage. This can be expensive to fix and is often an indication of other issues with your property such as dry rot or mold. This is why it's crucial to address a leak as soon as possible.

If you experience an air draught emanating from your double-glazed windows, it's likely that the seal within the sealed unit has been damaged. It could also mean that the argon gas used to insulate the glass panes has been taken away. A specialist technician can reseal your window to solve this issue.

Sometimes dirt can cause a double-glazed window to be cloudy or hazy. This is usually a sign that the sealing is deteriorating and the glass needs to be cleaned. This can be done by a professional using high-pressure water jets which will quickly remove any dirt or debris.

If condensation develops between the two panes of your double glazing, this is an indication that the seal is leaking and there isn't any argon left between the glass. This is a serious issue and indicates that your double glazing is not adequately insulate your home effectively as it ought to. The glass unit is able to be replaced, but you'll have to do it earlier rather than later, as the performance of the double glazed window has been affected.

If you have brand new double-glazed windows under warranty, you must contact the company who installed them and report any issues with the units, or the sealing of the glass, as it is not likely to be covered under the warranty. If you attempt to play with the units or attempt to repair them yourself, it will void the warranty, and you should always leave the repairs to professionals. This is why we recommend that you use a specialist double glazing repair company.

Weather Damage

Double-glazed windows require a sturdy frame to keep the glass panes in place and hold them in place, especially in areas of extreme weather. Ice, double snow, high wind and violent thunderstorms can damage your windows. If you notice cracks holes or dents in your window, contact an expert to repair your double glazing.

If you see water running out of the bottom of your window, this could be a sign that there is a breach in the seal inside the window. This lets moisture enter your home. The uPVC window frame or aluminum window frames might also be bent or warped. You'll need to replace the window seal and put it back inside the frame to repair this.

Window seals are used to ensure that your double glazed windows are airtight and stop heat from escaping your home, as well as preventing condensation between the glass panes. These window seals are usually comprised of uPVC aluminum, timber or aluminum and help to hold the glass in the right place. You can experience problems like energy loss and draughts when the window seals fail.

The failure of the insulating gases inside double-glazed windows is a common cause of misting windows. The argon gases keep the glass in place and form an airtight seal however, if it gets damaged or worn out, the gases can escape. The argon gas may cause condensation between the glass panes if it escapes.

This issue can be resolved by replacing the window seal, inserting the glass and then applying an anti-fogging agent to prevent condensation from occurring in the future. The best way to do this is to hire an expert to do the job for you.

While it is important to have double-glazed windows they aren't immune to damage and will need to be repaired at times. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be repaired without the need for replacement. To accomplish this, it is an ideal idea to have a few basic tools in your arsenal. You will need protective gloves as well as a tape measure scotch tape, or a transparent film and nail polish and a sheet of plastic that is cut to size.