Double Glazing Windows Repairs
Double glazing helps keep heat inside your home and blocks cold air from venting out, saving you money on energy bills. It also reduces the fade of soft furnishings, wood and paintings.
Sometimes however, repairs to windows are required. Double glazing windows can be easily repaired by experts in window repair.
Cracked Panes
It's not just an eyesore cracks in glass, but they can also add to your energy costs by reducing the insulating properties of your windows. It could also be danger to your safety and allow condensation and moisture. If unchecked, even tiny cracks will only continue to increase. This is why it's important to fix any double-glazing windows that are cracked or broken panes as soon as you detect them.
Double-paned Windows are made to provide better insulation against temperatures and cold as compared to regular windows. They encase a layer of gas between the two panes to stop leaks and draughts, but if they become damaged or the seals fail the benefits will be lost. Fortunately double-paned windows remain fairly easy to repair.
If your window is cracked the first thing you should do is to clean it thoroughly. If your window was recently subject to high winds, it could be blasted by pebbles and hailstones which caused it to crack. These can be removed by the help of water.
The next step is to determine the size and location of the crack. If the crack is a few centimetres long then a piece of clear tape may suffice to stop it from worsening. You can apply an adhesive available in hardware shops to fix larger cracks. Follow the directions and let the adhesive dry completely.
Filling the crack with putty created for glass is a different option. There are kits available that include a tool used to apply the glue. Others can be made into ropes and then pressed into the crack. Some kits can also be suitable for filling glass chips, but you must be careful not to overfill and cause further damage.
If you notice cracks that extend beyond the frame or if it's a crack in the glass insulated, it's time to contact an expert. This kind of damage requires more complicated repairs and could involve replacing the entire pane.
Foggy Panes
Repairing dual pane windows when they are getting cloudy. Foggy windows are caused by condensation between the glass panes. This can be solved by taking off the affected pane, employing a dehumidifier in order to remove any moisture remaining, and then reinserting the window with new seals. The process is fast, cheap and effective.
Although you might be tempted to tackle an DIY repair by yourself, this is a task best left to a qualified professional. In attempting to defog a double-pane window without taking it apart, you're at risk of breaking the glass or even injuring yourself. You might also require special equipment and may not be able to create a seal if you drill into the window with no knowing. You'll end with a window that cannot keep it dry, and a gap that allows dust, debris, and other pollutants to enter the window.
If you try to clean windows with double panes with a wet towel the problem could get worse. If the moisture is drying out on the window's surface you can wipe it off with a damp rag. If, however, the water seeps into the panes, this cannot be removed. Foggy windows are a sign that the seals are damaged, and in order to fix them, you'll need to get a professional.
You can prevent your windows getting cloudy by preventing them from fogging up in the first place. Make window refurbishment that the haze on your windows isn't caused by grease build-up or fingerprint smudges. Do this by cleaning them frequently. Make use of fans in rooms that produce a lot of steam, like kitchens and bathrooms to ensure that the air is moving. Avoid using humidifiers in these rooms, and use them only when absolutely necessary.
Foggy double-pane windows can be an indication that the seals between the window panes have become damaged or cracked, which allows moisture to get in and result in condensation. This can be corrected most of the time by having the damaged window pane repaired and sealed but it may require the assistance of a professional to ensure the task is done properly and to your satisfaction.
Leaking Panes
Seeing condensation in between panes of your double-glazed windows isn't just a nuisance; it also means that the gas that keeps them insulated is gone. This is because of a damaged seal that has to be replaced in order to keep your home warm and dry.
A window that is leaking can be more than an inconvenience. It can also cause damage to your home's structure as well as mold growth and damp ceilings and walls. It is essential to fix any leaks as soon as you spot them, so that the problem doesn't become worse over time.
The best way to fix your leaking double-glazing is to contact the company that installed your windows. talk to an agent. You should get an idea of the price and what can be done.
You can fix double-glazed windows that are old with the help of an online DIY guide. There are numerous guides available online that teach you how to grease hinges and handles as well as tighten screws or mechanisms that aren't functioning properly. In most cases, this will solve the problem and your windows or doors will once again be easy to open and close.
You can use caulking to seal the gaps around double-glazed windows, particularly around the places when they touch the frames. But be cautious not to add too much. A gap greater than 1/4 inch can let moisture into your home. Talk to a professional prior to adding sealants to windows.
There are many things that can cause windows to leak, such as gaps in the flashing, or windows that aren't fitted properly. It's also important to have your windows inspected for drainage holes that are blocked, which could cause water to leak into your home and collect under the sill. It is also essential to ensure that the window sill is properly sloped, so that it allows water to drain away from the frame, and doesn't be buried beneath or on top of the windows.
Broken Seals
Triple paned and double paned windows are now offered with three or more panes of glass that are separated by an air gap and then sealed around the edges. This kind of window comes with been referred to as an IGU, which stands for insulated glass unit (IGU). IGU windows have insulative gases such as argon and Krypton within the panes of glass to reduce heat or cool transfer. If one or more seals on these windows breaks the insulative gas has been released. This eliminates the extra insulation benefit.
The seals around windows can be damaged by a variety. This includes natural home settlement, which can lead to uneven pressure. High winds, especially when there is a lot dust in the air, could also cause damage to the seals. Window seals can also be damaged if they're exposed to harsh chemicals such as those used in paint stripping or when they're exposed to extreme temperatures.
When a seal fails it can result in a variety of problems such as draughts that are not explained, increased energy consumption, and a misted or cloudy windows. It's important to know that, in most cases, a broken window seal can be fixed instead of replacing it.
To fix a damaged window seal an expert will need to clean the glass and frame and then remove the IGU and replace the defective seal. This process isn't easy and requires an expert is employed for this type of window repair in order to ensure that it's completed correctly and promptly.
If your windows begin to look foggy, or you notice unaccounted-for drafts, it could be time to repair double glazing. You can talk to a local business to determine if the current windows can be repaired, or if you need to replace them with like-for-like windows to increase your home's energy efficiency.