Should You Call a Window and Door Doctor?

Window and door repair and maintenance can benefit homeowners by reducing their energy costs, increasing security, and comfort. Many homeowners have renovated their homes to add value to their home and improve their living conditions without the need to relocate.

The exterior casing that is loose or rotting should be repaired as soon as possible. These are typically signs of moisture intrusion, and can be repaired at minimal cost.

Cracked or Broken Glass

You might be wondering if you can repair your cracked or broken window glass or do you need to replace it. The answer depends on many factors including the severity of the damage and the type of glass used in your window.

In most cases, it's simpler to fix a damaged or cracked window than to replace it. The trick is to figure out the cause of the crack and quickly act to stop it from becoming worse. This is particularly important for fractures from impact, such as an object from the lawn mower or an object thrown by children.

Take out any pieces of the window that are still within its frame or lying on the floor. Wear gloves that are heavy duty, and wear protective eyewear. Utilize a chisel or a knife to gently remove any glaze that holds the pieces in position.

Once you have removed any shards of glass, carefully clean the area and dispose of them appropriately. Always wear protective gloves and closed-toe shoes when handling glass or mirror pieces, as they can be extremely sharp. It is also recommended to secure off the area, close the door, and inform your household members not to go in until the broken glass has been cleaned.

Make sure to inspect the frame, multins and mullions that hold the glass pane. These components can be damaged by rust and corrosion and could cause more issues with the windows.

Replace the window if you are worried about the long-term effects. Tempered glass is more durable than regular glass and it can break into smaller pieces that are less likely than jagged shards to cause injury.

If you're not confident in tackling the job yourself or if it will be more cost-effective to replace your window, get in touch with a professional window & door doctor to help with repairs or replacement. Window & Door Doctors are experts at repairing and replacing windows and doors damaged by vandalism, storms or other accidents. They can help you decide whether it is more efficient to fix the problem quickly than a full replacement.

Frame Damaged

It's not surprising that windows frame gets damaged. While some of the damage is cosmetic and can be fixed quickly, other issues like damaged frames are serious problems that must be addressed promptly to prevent more extensive repairs or replacement costs.

The wood rot that is a part of the windows frames isn't just unattractive, but it can also cause various issues like mold, fungus and pests that will affect both the value of your home and its health. To fix this issue begin by removing any weatherstripping and then cutting away the wood that is decaying with a chisel or saw. After you have removed the damaged frame part, you can purchase a kit at an online hardware store or a hardware store that includes all the necessary tools and parts to replace it.

Cracks caused by moisture in the window framing are another common issue that should be addressed as soon as possible. This is essential because North Carolina experiences high levels of humidity, which can cause the wood to expand and shrink as it absorbs and releases moisture. When wood cracks, it lets moisture into your home. This can be harmful to your house's structure as well as your possessions and even your family's health.

Another issue that is common is difficulty opening or closing the window and door doctor near me. This could be caused by a variety of factors. The problem could be caused by a buildup of dust or dirt which makes it difficult for the sash or frame to move.

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

Damaged Seals

Window seals offer the final layer of protection against air and moisture infiltration that can damage windows. They also aid in helping to keep the temperature of your home at a comfortable level and reducing energy costs. If you observe that your window seals are failing or you've noticed an increase in your energy bills, it is important to fix the problem before it gets any worse.

No matter if your windows are a single or double glazing doctors pane, the glass in them is held in place by an inner aluminum spacer and polyurethane that sandwiched the two panes of annealed or tempered glass. Over time, temperature cycling in the Phoenix sun can cause this material to degrade, allowing humidity and air to pass through the panes. The window's insulation value will also be lost if it contained inert gases. This is the reason windows doctor with broken seals will become brittle.

The best option to take when you suspect your window seals aren't working is to follow the manufacturer's care instructions. It may seem obvious, but many homeowners overlook this step. Cleaning your windows regularly using the cleaning agent recommended will extend the life of your windows and keep them operating at their best.

Some signs that the window seal is not working are a feeling of draftiness, especially on an icy winter day. This is because the warm air inside your home is being drawn out of the window by the cold air outside. Similarly, if you notice that your energy bills are suddenly higher than usual without a reason the windows could allow in too much cold air.

The presence of water between the windows' glass panes is a further sign that your seals are not working. This moisture may be a thin, clear line or it could be a long-lasting cloud that blocks your view of the outdoors. Moisture between the glass is the result of an infiltration gap caused by the window seal breaking and can be fixed by sealing the inner aluminum spacer with polyurethane.

Muntins and Mullions Damaged

Muntins and mullions, the wood strips that separate panes of glass in single-pane windows, can be real or faux. If they're damaged window repair experts can usually repair them. They will remove the glass, clean and scrape the area, then rebuild any rotted or split muntins or mullions. In many cases this is a much more cost-effective solution than replacing the entire window.

While the damage to your window frame due to heavy rain snow melt or humidity is obvious, less obvious issues are often ignored. For instance, a slit in the drip cap (the piece of metal that caps the top of the frame) can allow moisture get into your home, leading to mold, rot, and even an infestation of insects. A damaged sash cable could also cause rattles and draughts when windows are shut or opened.

Repairing windows that leak or creates draughts is expensive and can be costly, particularly if water is leaking into the wall. Any leaks should be repaired promptly. Draughts are usually caused by faulty hinges on old windows, or because of poorly constructed windows that allow air in. Window & Door doctor is able to repair leaks and draughts without replacing the entire window.

If the casing around your window is loose or damaged, cracked, or missing, it will have to be replaced. This isn't a task that can be done by a novice. The wall surrounding it may be in poor condition and will need to be repaired. Casings that are loose are ugly however, it allows air and moisture to get into the house which decreases the efficiency of energy. The majority of home centers sell primed wood exterior casing or low-maintenance PVC or vinyl items. They are more weatherproof than wood, and will not need to be painted regularly to maintain the integrity. All replacement casings must be painted using exterior grade paint, regardless of the material.