Window Repair Northern VA

Expert Window Repair in Northern VA

Well-maintained windows are a vital factor in the energy efficiency of your home. They also play a role in your home's exterior curb appeal and how well natural light infiltrates the inside of your home. Although there is a large variety of window types, there are a few routine window repair and maintenance tasks that your local handyman can take care of to allow your windows to function properly for a long time, no matter what type of windows you have. When it comes to window repair, Northern Virginia service professionals on our team are often called to deliver services such as caulking, trim repair, painting and sash repair.

Window Caulking

Caulk is a sealing substance used on window exteriors to close gaps in areas where your window meets the rest of your house. Over time, caulk around windows can dry out and crack due to exposure to elements such as wind, rain, sunlight, cold temperatures and extreme heat. Depending on how much exposure to these elements your house is subjected to, windows should be re-caulked every couple of years.

Because caulk seals up tiny gaps, cracks and holes in the exterior shell of your house, caulking is a part of window repair services that has a big impact on the thermal performance of your property overall, as well as in making your home more energy efficient. Your HVAC system doesn't need to operate as frequently because your frames are doing their part to prevent heat transfer and air movement. This helps to keep your energy bills low.

Another big benefit of caulking is that it provides sound separation to block outdoor noises from intruding into your home and disturbing your peace and quiet. If you frequently find yourself bothered by sounds from outside, even when your windows are closed, applying acoustic caulk inside your window frames could make a significant difference.

Trim Repair

Although builders and contractors are choosing to use composite materials around windows and doors more frequently these days, there are still a lot of windows that are trimmed with wood. Timber is vulnerable to wood rot when it is frequently exposed to moisture and will eventually soften and crumble apart. If the damage is too extensive, the wood window frame will need to be replaced, painted and caulked. It can also be replaced with composite materials or vinyl windows, which will prolong the life of the trim.

When it's necessary to get window repair in Northern VA, you often don't realize how much of a difference trim repair can make to the energy efficiency of your home. In the video below, a cracked, rotting exterior frame on this Haymarket home was letting in air drafts and moisture that were changing the temperature in the house and increasing energy costs. Once we got that trim replaced, this homeowner found that their energy bills decreased noticeably.

Painting

Painting is another routine task performed by your Northern Virginia handyman. Window repair in the form of painting protects your windows from damage. As the paint on the window trim ages, it can fade, become brittle or flake off. Sanding and scraping loose paint prior to applying new paint will ensure the paint will adhere properly. We'll also take care of caulking the seams of the trim, as it's likely overdue for re-caulking if the paint is peeling or flaking.

In the video below, bubbling paint on a bay window in Alexandria, VA, was an early warning sign of moisture incursion. We got to it soon enough to prevent rot from setting in and took care of caulking the seams of the picture window's metal roof while we were up there on our ladder to prevent water from seeping in behind the roof structure.

Sash Repair

It is often possible to fix a unit with window repair in Northern VA rather than replacing the entire package. When a window does not open properly or, once opened, does not stay open, this is an indication of one of the mechanisms inside the window malfunctioning. Our experienced team frequently replaces common components such as window shoes, window latches, tilt mechanisms and balances.

The video below features a home in Woodbridge that had a severely damaged sash—you can see how its seal is seriously warped, and its wood is crumbling due to rot caused by moisture incursion. Despite how bad the condition of its sash was, the frame itself was actually in decent shape. We repaired the sash by reinforcing damaged parts and replacing the seal before putting it back into its frame.

Types of Windows We Repair in Northern VA

Northern Virginia homes are full of personality. That means they have a variety of window types. We're the specialists in window repair in Northern VA for a reason, offering services for a wide range of windows, including:

• Wooden windows
• Fiberglass windows
• Transom windows
• Windows above patio doors
• Single-hung windows
• Stationary windows
• Double-pane windows
• Awning windows
• Windows in French doors
• And so many more!

Why Our Team is the Best Choice for Window Repair in Northern VA

When you call our Mr. Handyman pros, you'll get prompt, efficient service and top-quality workmanship. More importantly, you'll get peace of mind knowing your home or commercial property is being cared for by window repair experts who will go the extra mile to ensure that they restore your windows to perfect working order and get them looking their very best.

BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH MR. HANDYMAN

• Convenient, one-call solution for all your home repair needs
• Licensed and insured
• Experienced, dedicated service professionals
• Workmanship guarantee

We provide a difference in quality you'll notice from the minute you speak with our dedicated customer service team. Answering your calls as diligently as we perform repairs, we will have your window restored to perfect condition quickly and at a time that fits your schedule. Other reasons our customers love us? As a local woman-owned and veteran-owned company, we're the pros they choose for expert window repair in Manassas, VA and many other cities across Northern Virginia. Ready to see what we can do for your home? Call our friendly customer service team today to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions About Window Repair in Northern VA

When it comes to window repair in Northern VA, it's common to have questions about what the service will entail, what the signs of window repair are, and if a professional is required for the job. The answers to these common questions and more are coming up, but if any others happen to pop up now or at any time down the line, don't hesitate to get in touch with our customer service team.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS MY HOUSE NEEDS WINDOW REPAIR SERVICES?

Problems with frames, sashes, panes, latches and other components tend to start small and slowly worsen over time, so homeowners are tricked into just living with them instead of seeking out window repair. Northern Virginia residents can actually reap some big advantages from keeping their units in excellent condition with maintenance and the occasional repair job, including improved energy efficiency, greater comfort and enhanced home appeal. If you're aware of the signs that indicate you need window repair in Virginia sooner rather than later, you can call our team for help before the damage gets out of hand. Some of the common warning signs to be aware of are:

• Air drafts: Have you felt a chill of wind pass you in your living room or bedroom? There's a good chance you have gaps in your window frame or a window that won't shut all the way.
• Rotting wooden frames and sashes: Wood rot worsens with time and will need to be addressed quickly. If you have wooden window frames and sashes, you should have them inspected regularly for rot.
• Moisture damage, such as softened drywall and mildew: Gaps between your windows and your walls can let in moisture. Add any organic material (such as wood or paper-based drywall) plus a little heat, and you have yourself a recipe for mildew and mold.
• Insect infestations: Ants, spiders, and mosquitoes will infiltrate your home any chance they get. The tiniest crack in your window sill is enough space for them to make their way inside, where they will continue to multiply where there is a constant supply of shelter, water, and food.
• Unit is difficult to open and close: Whether your wooden window has swollen due to moisture damage, has broken window springs or the track is obstructed, difficulties with opening and closing your window may mean that it does not shut securely. This can put your home at risk of insects, moisture damage, and intruders.
• The latch is broken: A broken latch will either mean that you cannot get your window open or you can't close it. If it's the latter, then you can never really guarantee your home is safe. This puts the safety of your family at risk and makes your home more susceptible to theft.
• Condensation trapped between glass panes: This pesky problem arises from faulty seals. Double or triple pane glass windows that are not sealed properly will allow moisture to creep in. This trapped moisture causes foggy windows that make it difficult to see out.
• Inadequate sound separation: If you can hear everything that's going on the street crystal clear, your window may not have enough sound insulation. Likely, there is a gap in your windows which is letting sounds from the outside world in.
• Peeling or bubbling paint and flaking solid stain: While this may seem like more of a cosmetic issue at first, damaged paint and stain can actually lower your window's defense against water damage and rot. At first sight of peeling paint or stain, call for professional window repair in Northern VA.

If you notice any of the above problems, it makes sense to get them fixed by our window repair professionals before the issue gets much worse and causes discomfort to your household.

CAN ROTTEN WOOD BE FIXED WITH WINDOW REPAIR?

Yes and no. Wood rot is a variety of decay that eats away at timber fibers such as cellulose or lignin, depending on the type of rot. Because part of the wood is actually missing, it can never be perfectly restored to its former condition, but there are some ways of eliminating it and making the repaired area look as good as new. Smaller patches of rot on the surface of a piece of timber can typically be handled with a wood window repair strategy that involves scraping away the rotted parts and filling the gap with epoxy, then sanding it smooth and painting over it to conceal the epoxy filler. In some situations where removing the wood would be prohibitively difficult, it can be strengthened and squared off with epoxy as well.

If the damage is advanced or extensive, however, the most cost effective way to deal with window repair is by replacing the rotted wood altogether. The video below shows a house in Springfield with rotting wooden panels under a bay window. You can see how the lower right corner, in particular, suffered from peeling paint and softened wood crumbling apart, but the entire structure was affected. This rot was caused by excessive water exposure, which also damaged the insulation inside its trim cavity. We removed its rotting timber entirely and built a base out of plywood, then filled its cavity with fresh insulation. Finally, we installed attractive face panels over plywood to complete this wood rot-related window repair project.

WHY IS THERE MOISTURE TRAPPED BETWEEN MY WINDOW PANES?

If you have double-pane window glass that has become foggy or misty because there's condensation trapped between the panes, you're probably eager to get the problem fixed by finding the right window repair strategy. This problem is particularly annoying because it's so unattractive, and if it's bad enough, it can prevent you from seeing through the window at all. In addition, it indicates that your unit is not energy efficient and is allowing for heat transfer that increases your energy costs.

Dual pane units have two or more panes of glass that are separated by a small gap and sealed together along the sides of the glass. Sometimes the gap is filled with argon gas to give it extra insulating power. If the seal is broken, the argon escapes, and condensation gets between the panes, giving the unit that fogged look. While replacing the seal is sometimes possible, it's usually a temporary solution. That's why we typically recommend getting a replacement window. This allows you to be sure the problem is dealt with and won't be recurring any time soon.

IS NORTHERN VIRGINIA WINDOW REPAIR ALWAYS THE BEST OPTION?

Not necessarily. As we mentioned above, there are some situations, such as fogged panes, in which window replacement services are a better choice than window repair. Northern Virginia properties with widespread or severe damage to frames, sashes or glass are likely going to get better results with the installation of a new window by our experienced service professionals.

If repair isn't the best choice for your home, you may need to choose between a full frame or pocket installation. While a pocket installation is generally less costly, it reduces the amount of visible glass in the panes. Full-frame installation costs more upfront but typically produces more satisfactory results. If you're not sure which to choose, our service professionals are happy to consult with you and offer a recommendation so you can make an informed decision.

When It's Time for Window Repair, Northern Virginia Residents Can Rely On Mr. Handyman

Do you live in Manassas, Fairfax Station, Burke, Clifton, or other parts of our Northern Virginia service area? No matter what type of window issue you're experiencing, you can count on excellent workmanship and unbeatable customer service from the professionals at Mr. Handyman of Northern Virginia - Arlington to Haymarket. Let us show you what we can do to enhance your residential or commercial building by getting in touch with us to chat with our customer service staff and schedule an appointment for our reliable handyman services.