Why It Pays to Hire a Professional Window Repair Service

Heat gain and heat loss from windows make up nearly 25% to 30% of residential heating and cooling energy use. Do you have a large crack? Or, is your glass looking worn down and in need of a replacement? Perhaps you're considering renovating your home, and updating your windows is next on your list? It pays to use a professional service.

There are a lot of DIY jobs that homeowners attempt in Greater Columbia and Eldersburg, but when it comes to your home’s glass, it pays to hire a professional for anything requiring more than a bottle of windex and some paper towels.

Want to learn more about professional window repair services in the greater Columbia, MD area? The experienced handyman team at Mr. Handyman of Greater Columbia and Eldersburg put together this guide to help you learn the benefits of hiring a professional handyman and decide whether you want help.

Professional Experience

If your window has a seemingly minor issue, you might be tempted to fix it yourself instead of calling the professionals, but windows have a lot of different parts that should work together and fit properly. That’s why you should consider hiring a pro with inspection and repair experience. They can alert you to any other issues that your window may have, such as air leaks or warping frames.

Common Repair Issues Include:

• Glass Damage: Cracks and breaks are common, usually because of storms — or objects being thrown at the glass. A professional will be able to replace or fix the glass with their tools & equipment.
• Frame Damage: Damage to frames is common as well. Wood rot is a common cause that occurs with excess moisture. Older, wooden frames are particularly susceptible to rot. Decaying or leaking frames should be fixed as soon as possible.
• Jams: Sometimes, windows jam and get stuck when you open or close them. Locks might also give you some resistance. All of these issues should be fixed to maintain the safety of your home.

The Benefits of Hiring a Professional:

The average window lasts nearly 15-20 years. However, you should still perform regular and preventative maintenance to keep them in optimal shape. A repair technician can give you a full overview of their health and spot issues that others miss, preventing bigger problems with your windows in the future.

What's more, a professional will already have knowledge about maintenance and repairs. If you're trying to fix the issue yourself, you'll have to do research to figure out the issue with your windows. A professional can also point out issues around other areas of your home, such as tile repair signs inside your kitchen or siding issues outside.

Tools & Equipment

Another reason to hire a handyman is that they already have all the necessary tools and equipment to fix your window. If you decide on a DIY fix, first you'll have to figure out what tools and materials you need. If you don't have all the equipment, you'll have to drive to the hardware store to get everything and spend more time finding the right tools. Instead, you can leave it to professionals who are always ready to start immediately.

Safety

Broken windows compromise the security of your home, and cracking or shattered glass poses a safety risk to anybody nearby. Working with glass poses additional risks and safety considerations as well. A professional handyman can provide a quick, effective fix so you don’t have to worry about injuries or other safety concerns.

Convenience

Hiring a professional is more convenient than fixing it yourself. All you have to do is make an appointment and have the service technician come out to assess the damage. What's more, a professional company has experience working with different styles, materials, and sizes, so they can recommend the best options for your home.

Save Time

You want to take on repair projects yourself, but do you have the time? You'll need to do the research, get the materials, and do the repair job. What if there is more than one window that needs work — are you able to spend time making multiple repairs? Time is as important for your convenience as the effort required to do the work itself. Professional repair services save you both.

Professional Expertise

Another reason why you should hire professionals is that they have the knowledge to correctly install or repair all window styles. Incorrect installation results in a poor fit, which causes jams and affects the insulation quality of windows. Air leaks also impact energy efficiency. Exact measurements and precise fits are important for proper installation and avoiding future issues.

How to Find a Professional Window Repair Company

Need to find a local repair company? It can be overwhelming when you do online research and see all the different options. Here are some tips for choosing a company.

1. Read Online Reviews

Need to learn more about a company? One thing you can do to learn more about them is read online reviews and customer testimonials. You should look for online reviews across different websites. It's estimated that 91% of people read online reviews either regularly or occasionally.

Wondering what to look for when reading online reviews? You can look at before and after photos to see the quality of completed projects. Another tip is to look at negative reviews and see how the company responds to those negative reviews. Did the company respond to a negative review in a positive, professional way?

2. Ask for Recommendations

If you need a more personalized review, you can ask for personal recommendations from people that you know. For example, maybe your neighbor has fabulous-looking windows that look professionally installed. You can ask them to refer you to the professionals they used.

If you know that a family member had a cracked window repaired recently, and they were raving about the great customer service, you can ask them to refer you to the company. This way, you also see their work and quality for yourself.

3. Check Out Their Website

If a company catches your eye, you should check out their website to learn more about them and find out about the different services they offer. You can find additional information on a company website such as any new customer deals they are currently offering or a gallery of local work.

4. Check Out Other Services They Offer

When researching different repair companies, you should also check out the different services they offer. For instance, Mr. Handyman offers a range of services for your home from furniture assembly to installation services to regular home maintenance services.

Maybe in the future, you'll need a different home maintenance service. Instead of finding another company and going through the process of researching again, you can have one service company for your home maintenance needs.

5. Ask About the Process

Another tip is to ask questions and ask about the repair process. A repair company should guide you through the entire repair process so that there are no surprises.

Care Tips

1. Keep Windows Clean

Incorporate cleaning your windows into your regular cleaning schedule. By making the effort to keep them clean, you are also extending their life and performing maintenance. The different parts of your windows will function better when clean and free of debris, dust, or other particles. When you clean the tracks, you're removing any debris or dirt buildup that can cause jams. Dirt buildup can make it difficult to open or close your windows.

2. Inspect Them Regularly

You probably don't think about your windows unless you're having problems with them. Generally, they only get attention when you’re dealing with a strong draft, leak, or broken glass. However, you can fix or repair issues before they become worse if you perform regular inspections.

There might be areas in your home that you don't pass by often or forget to clean regularly. You should inspect all the windows in your home about once or twice a year. Go around the house and open and close them to make sure they are functioning. You can also check the hardware and make sure nothing is missing or needs repair.

You should also inspect the locks and make sure they are working. If it's wintertime, you can check for drafts. Don’t forget to check screens for rips and other damage as well. Lastly, check the frames for any signs of damage or rot.

3. Check for Signs That They Need Repairs or Replacement

Is it time to replace your windows? The answer may depend on how old they are and their current state. There are also some detectable signs that you could benefit from an upgrade or replacement.

When Do You Need Repairs or Replacement?

• If windows are old or outdated
• If you spot frame rot or damage
• If there are nearby leaks
• If your soundproofing is poor
• If there’s condensation between the glass
• If you want to increase resale value — replacements can net a return of up to 77.5%

Final Tips for Professional Window Repair Services

When it comes to window repair service, you need a professional that has the right knowledge and experience. Find a trusted, reliable company that can offer you outstanding service and get the job done right.