Why Window Repair Is Necessary Cracks in window glass can be caused by a pebble thrown from the lawnmower or a large beverage placed on the table that has a glass top. A broken window allows wind, rain insects, and other undesirable elements to get into your home. While it is not possible to make a cracked window completely invisible but there are ways to fix it and stop it from becoming worse. Water Damage If water is leaking through your windows, a replacement is usually necessary. Moisture can cause rot in the wood of your window frame. It could also decrease the energy efficiency of your windows. A reputable window manufacturer can replace your windows without damaging the integrity of your existing frames. Wood rot can affect both the exterior and interior of your windows. If you have wooden windows with rotting areas, it may be possible to fix them, if they're not too much damaged. If the rot has spread to your muntins and mullions, (the parts of the window frame that hold your glass panes) You may have to replace them. This may cost more than a new set windows. Another issue that is often required for replacement is a damaged seal between your double-paned windows. This could be caused by condensation or debris that has formed between your double-paned windows, or a sign that the insulation of your window has failed. A lot of modern windows have insulation built-in. This means they can't experience the same issues as older, multi-paned windows. Loose, cracked, rotting, or missing the casing around your window is unattractive and can lead to other problems. A damaged casing does not necessarily mean that it's time to change your windows, however. Depending on the condition of your casing as well as the wood around it, you may be able to sand and paint it to improve its appearance. If your exterior casing is in bad shape it is possible to apply a new coat of weather-resistant exterior painting to keep moisture from damaging the window. Alternately, you can put in new exterior casing to give an attractive and practical improvement to your home. Paint that has peeled or chipped Frames and window sills are often in close proximity to the elements, so they take a lot of abuse from sunlight and precipitation. Moisture is the primary reason for paint peeling around windows, particularly when the wood is exposed. Water seeps into the wood, and when it evaporates the pressure beneath the paint film causes the paint to peel. The moisture may be from condensation in the interior or from rain and snow on the exterior. It's important to scrape and sand the surface when you notice the paint start to chip. Some skilled artists apply a water repellent preservative to the bare wood and thinned boiled oil before painting. This will help slow the penetration of moisture into the wood, which helps the new paint to stick better. When paint begins to crack, it's time to consider repairing your window. To remove any paint that has strayed, place a dropcloth or tarp on the area before applying a fresh coat. Remove any loose paint with a utility blade. Be careful not to slash the wood below or cut through the sheathing underneath. Let the area dry completely after cleaning it thoroughly. Once the area is dry, sand it again with a fine-grit sanding block. This will prepare the surface to receive primer and create a substrate that is ready to receive paint. If you're working with lead-based paints, be sure to use proper safety equipment. Tape off any surfaces adjacent to the sanded area, such as baseboards. This will protect them from paint. Then, prime and paint according to the instructions on the tin that you are using. Follow the temperature and curing instructions on the can of paint, as they will vary according to the type of paint you're using. Make sure you paint the exterior surface with an exterior-grade paint and the interior with an interior-grade. Repairing chipped or peeling painted frames is a cheaper alternative to replacing them. If your window frames are unable to be repaired, it could be worth upgrading to more energy efficient windows. Cracked Glass A damaged window can make your home vulnerable to rain, wind, bugs, and other unpleasant creatures. If the break or crack is not too severe you can fix it yourself. It's recommended to address small cracks as soon they occur, before they become worse as time passes or temperature fluctuations. There are a variety of ways to make broken glasses virtually invisible. However, this is not an easy task that can be done by a DIYer. Even a tiny chip can cause a weak spot to the glass, which can lead to more breaks and costly replacement. The best solution is to cover the crack with plastic. This covers the crack from the outside, and prevents moisture or air from leaking through. This can damage the frames or seals around windows. Put on your protective glasses and gloves prior to removing the broken glass from the frame. Utilize a utility knife scraper, chisel, or scraper to cut off the old glazing points that hold the pane in place. You should also make use of the knife to pull out any wood that's bare, then clean and seal that area with the oil of linseed or a clear wood sealer. The glass can be glued back into its original position by using epoxy. This is the most time-intensive option, but it will also give your glass a more solid look. Choose the double-cylinder epoxy dispenser that distributes resin and hardener equally. This allows you to precisely control the amount of epoxy is poured onto the window, which will help ensure a good seal. When resetting double- or triple pane windows, be sure that the gas fills are not damaged. These gases are essential to keep warm inside your home in the winter, and outside during summer. If you take the window off, the gases escape and cause it to decrease its energy efficiency. You can replace the gas fills using the same procedure used for repairing cracks in other types of glass.