Admittedly, old windows that no longer perform their insulating role must be completely replaced. But if a broken window or a damaged seal, there is no need to change all the carpentry! Repair is then the ideal option. On the other hand, just because minor damage doesn’t involve heavy work doesn’t mean it should be taken lightly. Poorly carried out or late repairs can indeed make your joinery defective irreversibly. To repair your windows correctly and quickly, here is the essence of what you need to know on the subject!
When To Repair A Window?
If you have a failure or technical problem with your joinery, it is not always easy to choose between repair by technician like Apex Window Werks for instance and replacement. In general, replacing your windows is necessary when the frame (fixed part) or the opening (moving part) is damaged to the point of letting in air, cold, and humidity.
But when the problem only concerns part of the carpentry, the repair is sufficient, provided that your window is not dilapidated. Thus, you can consider repairing your windows in the different scenarios below:
- Worn gaskets
- Defective window hinges
- broken glazing
- Damaged accessories or small hardware parts (shutters, handle, hinge, rail, etc.)
- The problem between the patio door and the track
- Faulty opening and closing mechanism
- Light leaks
In addition, windows and foggy window repair have a limited lifespan: 15 years for wooden windows, 25 to 30 years for aluminum windows, and more than 30 years for PVC windows. As for hinges, hinges, and locks, they must be replaced every 5 to 10 years!
Regular maintenance is necessary (especially on wooden models) to extend your windows’ life and reinforce your home’s insulation and security.
How To Repair Or Unblock A Window?
Whether it is your windows (fixed, tilt-and-turn, sliding, etc.) or your patio doors, any failure in the product leads to appropriate intervention:
- Faulty mechanism
- type of repair
- Faulty opening and closing systems
- Hinge greasing
- Intervention on the mechanism (replacement of the seal or hinges)
- Frame planning
- Broken handle
- Handle disassembly to replace damaged parts
- Defective window hinges
- Unhinging the window to straighten the hinges using pliers or replacing it
- Broken windows
- Removal of the openings for a replacement of the glazing
- Leaks
- Caulking or puttying
If your window is scratched, glass wool or ash may be enough to reduce the depth of the scratches. On the other hand, a cracked window loses its insulating and reassuring function, lets moisture rush into your home, and can cause irreversible water infiltration: in this case, replacement is in order!
