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5 Signs Your Home Needs Window Repair
Imagine your home without windows. It's a pretty dismal thought—no natural light, no fresh air, no views. They are absolutely essential, and the number and style of windows in a house sets a tone for the entire building.
However, like everything else in our lives, they don't last forever. In fact, a typical lifespan for a window is about 15 to 30 years, but regular maintenance and skilled repairs can extend their time by quite a bit, sometimes even decades.
You probably think you know exactly what a broken window looks like: shards of smashed glass everywhere and a big gaping hole where the pane used to be. But they have more parts than just panes of glass, and the signs that they need repair can be a lot less obvious if you don't know what to look for. That's why we've put together this guide covering five symptoms that indicate your home is in need of quality window repairs, or replacement.
1. Utility Bills Increasing
Have you noticed you're paying more on your utility bill than you used to, even though your energy usage hasn't changed? Your frames or glass may be to blame. Cold air drafts can leak in around improperly sealed frames, or seep through single-pane glass.
Whether you need repair or replacement will depend on why it's happening. The right handyman may be able to get it fixed up and make your home comfortable again with a relatively simple repair such as caulking around the frame, or it may be more cost-effective to install modern, energy-efficient windows, which will save you a ton of money that's being siphoned away by energy loss.
2. Rotten Wood Frames
Most frames are made of wood, and are particularly vulnerable to wood rot. That's because wood rot is a form of decay caused by wood-eating fungi that thrive in timber with a moisture content of 20% or higher. Because frames are often exposed to moisture from degraded sealant or condensation on the glass, they're susceptible to rotting.
You can check for wood rot by looking for these signs:
Discolored patches that look lighter or darker than surrounding timber
Texture changes where the timber appears spongy, stringy, or webbed with cracks
Timber breaking away in cube-shaped chunks or "sawdust"
If you spot a suspicious patch, grab a screwdriver and press it against the wood. If it sinks right in, that's wood rot. There's no way to return rotted wood to its former condition, but it's probably possible for your handyman to replace just the wood (and repair whatever is letting moisture in), without replacing the entire window.
3. Too Much Noise
If you find yourself disturbed by outdoor noises when you're inside with the windows closed, that's a sign that something isn't right. Properly installed and maintained windows aren't going to shut out 100% of sound, but they should do a good job of muffling all but the loudest noises.
The problem is likely due to gaps in the frame, and acoustic caulking can go a long way towards keeping the noise outside where it belongs. If you live in a particularly noisy, high-traffic area, sound-cancelling curtains can also be surprisingly helpful to give you some peace.
4. Insects Are Getting In
Not interested in hosting hundreds of unwelcome house guests? Your frames are a first line of defense against invading pests, who won't hesitate to take advantage of tiny gaps and cracks to make themselves at home.
The problem could lie with screens—either they're in poor condition with gaps around the edge, there are rips in the screen itself, or you don't have any screens at all. But, if insects are getting into your house even though you're not opening any windows, they may have found a path from the outside through a rotten or improperly installed frame.
5. Difficult to Open and Close
Speaking of not opening windows, do you struggle to get them open and closed? Letting in a fresh breeze in warm weather is a nice feature, but if it's a huge pain to heave them open you might not even bother to try.
Fortunately, this problem is usually very fixable. One typical reason is that over the years, the frame has been painted multiple times and the paint has built up to the point where the window is jammed shut. It could also be that the sash has come off its runner or hinges are rusted.
When Do You Need Replacement?
We've talked about some common signs that your windows need repairing, but what about those situations where repair is not going to be effective?
Here are some scenarios in which you should forget repair and opt to replace your windows:
Foggy glass caused by condensation trapped between panes
Structural problems, such as the house settling over time and warping frames
Major water leaks caused by severe storm damage to the exterior of the house
Damage so extensive that repairs would be more expensive than replacement
You want to boost your curb appeal and property value by changing the style
Mr. Handyman is Your Local Window Repair Expert!
Noticed some of the above signs of damage in your home? Rely on Mr. Handyman of E Boulder, Broomfield & Erie to carry out your window repairs or replacements quickly and efficiently.
Pick up the phone today and give us a call at 303-647-9132, or request service online, to find out why your neighbors consider us their first choice for handyman services!
