Should You Call a Window and Door Doctor?

Window and door maintenance and repair can benefit homeowners by lowering energy bills as well as increasing comfort and security. Many homeowners have renovated their homes in the COVID-19 pandemic in order to increase their value and improve their living conditions without the need to relocate.

Exterior casings that are loose or rotting must be repaired as quickly as is possible. These are often signs of moisture damage and can be repaired at little expense.

Cracked or broken glass

You might be wondering whether you can repair the crack or broken window glass or whether you should replace it. The answer depends on many factors such as the severity of the break and the type of glass used in your window.

Most of the time, a cracked or broken window can be repaired instead of replacing it. The key is to figure out the cause of the crack and then act swiftly so it doesn't worsen. This is particularly crucial with impact breaks, such as an object from the lawn mower or an object thrown by kids.

Before you can take care of a broken or cracked window, you'll need to remove any fragments that remain in the frame or lying on the ground. This is best done with heavy duty work gloves and a pair of protective eyewear. Utilize a chisel or a knife to gently remove any glaze that holds the pieces in position.

After you have removed the glass shards, clean up the area carefully and dispose of them in a responsible way. Wear gloves that are protected and closed-toe shoes whenever you are handling glass or mirrors, since they can be extremely sharp. You can also cordon off an area, shut the door and tell your family members to not go into the room until the broken pieces of glass have been cleaned.

Examine the frame, muntins and mullions that hold the glass pane. These parts can be damaged by rust and corrosion, which could lead to more problems with the windows.

Replace the window if you are worried about the long-term effects. Tempered glass is more robust than regular glass, and it breaks into smaller pieces that are less likely than sharp shards of glass to cause injury.

If you're not sure if you're able to tackle the job yourself or if it will be more cost effective to replace your window, get in touch with a professional window and door doctor to assist you with repairs or replacement. Window & Door Doctors are skilled in repairing and replacing windows and doors damaged by vandalism, storms or other incidents. They can help you decide whether an immediate fix is better than a full replacement.

Frame Damaged

It's not surprising that the window frame gets damaged. Some of the damage is cosmetic and easily repaired, while others such as rotted frames can be severe and should be addressed immediately to avoid costly repairs or replacement.

The rotted wood around windows can be unattractive and lead to many problems such as mold and fungus. This can negatively impact the health of your home as well as its value. To remedy this issue remove any weatherstripping, before cutting away the decayed wood using a chisel or saw. After you have removed the damaged frame part you can buy the kit at an hardware store or online that includes all the required tools and components to replace it.

Another common problem that needs to be addressed is moisture-related cracks on the window frames. This is important because North Carolina experiences high levels of humidity that can cause the wood to expand and shrink when it absorbs or releases moisture. When wood cracks it allows moisture to get into your home, which could cause damage to the structure of your house as well as your possessions and even the health of your family.

Another common issue is having difficulty opening or closing the hurricane-proof window repair. This can be caused by a variety of reasons. The problem may simply be due to the accumulation of dirt or dust that makes it harder for the sash to move, or the frame itself may have suffered some kind of structural damage that has affected its ability to properly open and close.

If you have any visible evidence of damage to your window frame after an event, it's a good idea consult with an expert, as the damage may be severe enough that replacement of your window is the best option or only choice. Depending on your insurance policy you may be able to file a claim to cover any repair or replacement costs.

Damaged Seals

Window seals are the final layer of protection against moisture and air infiltration, which could damage windows. They also help maintain the temperature in the room and reduce energy bills. So, if your window seal is starting to fail or you've noticed an abrupt increase in your energy bills It's crucial to get the problem fixed right away before it gets worse.

Whether your windows are double pane or single pane, the glass inside them is held by an aluminum spacer as well as polyurethane that sandwiched the two panes of tempered or annealed glass. As time passes, the constant temperature fluctuations in the Phoenix sun can cause this material to degrade, allowing humidity and air to seep between the panes. The window's enhanced insulation value can also be diminished if it contains inert gases. This is why windows with damaged seals will become brittle.

The most effective thing to do should you suspect that your window seals aren't working is to follow the manufacturer's care instructions. This might seem like a straightforward task but it's a step that most homeowners ignore. Cleaning your windows using the recommended cleaning agent will prolong their lifespan and ensure they are in good condition.

A drafty feeling is one of the signs that your window seal has failed, especially during an icy winter day. The cold air outside is pulling the warm air from your window. If you notice that your energy bills are suddenly higher than usual without any explanation, your windows may allow in too much cold air.

Another indication that your window seals are deteriorating is if you can see moisture in the windows' glass. The moisture could be a thin, clear line or it could be a long-lasting cloud that blocks your view of the outside. The moisture between the glass is the result of an infiltration breach caused by the window seal breaking, and it can usually be repaired by resealing the spacer in the aluminum with polyurethane.

Damaged Muntins or Mullions

The wood strips used to separate the panes of single-pane glass can be real or fake. If they are damaged, window repair experts are able to repair them. They will remove all the glass clean and scrape the area, then rebuild any muntins or mullias that are rotted or damaged. This is usually a less expensive alternative than replacing a complete window.

While the damage to your window's frame from heavy rain snow melt or humidity can be obvious, less-obvious problems are often overlooked. A crack in the dripcap (the metal cap that covers the top of the frame) could allow moisture to enter the home. This could lead to rot and mould. A damaged sash cord could cause draughts and rattles when the window is opened or closed.

Repairing a window that leaks or causes draughts can cost a lot and can be costly, particularly if water is leaking into the wall. It is crucial to get any leaks fixed as soon as they are detected. Draughts are usually caused by hinges that are not working properly in old windows or by poorly designed windows that allow air through. Window & Doors Doctor can fix Window Leaks leaks and draughts, without the need to replace the entire window.

If the casing that surrounds your window is damaged cracking, rotting, cracked or missing entirely the casing will need to be replaced. This is not necessarily an easy task for a novice as the wall could be in a state of disrepair and requires a new build also. Casings that are loose are ugly, but more importantly, it allows air and moisture to infiltrate the home which decreases the efficiency of energy. Most home centers offer primed wood exterior casings or low-maintenance vinyl or PVC products. These are more weather-resistant than wood, but they will require painting regularly to maintain the quality of the product. Whatever the material, all replacement casings should be treated with an exterior-grade paint.