At a certain point, you might notice that a window repair is a necessity for your house. While the aesthetic appeal is important (because, obviously, nobody wants to live with cracked window glass) the other factors might have an extremely strong effect as well. Windows aren’t just panes that give you a view of the outside world. These are important elements that also protect your space from outside interference and noise pollution. They keep your dwelling warm in winter and help enjoy the sunshine in summer.
Considering the importance of proper window maintenance, the relevance of timely window replacement or repair is out of the question. So let’s take a closer look at the key signs windows need repair.
Visible Damage
Cracks and Breaks in the Glass
This issue is the most obvious and easy to notice. You might try to ignore some minor signs of window damage but it will be difficult not to pay attention to cracks and breaks in the glass. Once you see even a tiny crack in a glass pane you should realize — that replacement is inevitable.
The first reason to substitute broken glass is obvious — it just doesn’t look nice. Apparently, you want to live in a normal house or apartment, not in the barrack with shuttered windows. Then, aesthetic appeal is important, but who can dispute that cracked glass might be dangerous? Besides, this can lead to further issues. For example, rain can pour through a crack and damage your windowsills and walls.
Warped or Damaged Frames
Window frame damage might also be quite visible, even though it seems less impactful than cracked glass. Nonetheless, a damaged frame is an important sign for window replacement because it might lead to draft and decreased energy efficiency. A warped or damaged frame might pose a problem when you need to close or open your window, which is why it should be repaired as soon as you notice the problem.
Drafts and Increased Energy Bills
Feeling Drafts Near Windows
Not all signs windows need repair are visible. Often, it’s just a matter of proper sealing or installation, which is difficult to identify if you aren’t an expert. One way to spot the problem is feeling constant window drafts. A good window isn’t supposed to let in air from the outside. If it does so, it becomes evident that there’s a seal failure, and therefore, window repair is necessary.
Rising Energy Costs
Due to the construction of your dwelling, you might not always feel window drafts even if the window seal is damaged. However, feeling nothing doesn’t mean everything is ok. A poor installation might affect your energy bills, and that’s the thing you will definitely fill.
The thing is that proper window seals don’t let in cold air in winter. Therefore, your house apartment wastes less energy to keep itself warm, and therefore you can expect to get lower energy bills. However, when windows are damaged, the exact opposite might happen. To cut a long story short, if energy costs are rising, don’t check the tariffs, check the windows first.
Difficulty Operating Windows
Hard to Open or Close
In normal conditions, you don’t have to put hard effort in order to simply ventilate your dwelling through windows. A normal window has to open and close smoothly. If it doesn’t it means that you should expect a window frame damage. Some issues with tracks and inside mechanisms that lead to difficulty in window operating might be difficult to indicate for non-experts. That’s why we suggest that when it comes to window repair, you should always address experienced specialists.
Windows That Stick
A damaged mechanism isn’t the only reason why a window might stick in a frame. In fact, a window mechanism might be completely fine, the issue might be caused by swelling or wrapping.
The issue is that some materials are quite prone to temperature changes and humid conditions. If your window has wooden components, there’s a high probability that they might swell and wrap due to temperature shifts. Even more solid plastic and metal materials might suffer from rust due to high humidity.
Condensation Between Glass Panes
Foggy Windows
One more sign of a potential window repair, or rather insulation repair, is foggy panes. Blurred vision through panes often indicates condensation between them. It means that the humid air was able to enter between the panes from the outside, which indicates outside window seal failure.
Moisture Damage
Moisture infiltration can occur through various pathways, including leaks, condensation, and high humidity levels. This can lead to the deterioration of window frames, which are often made from wood, metal, or composite materials, each susceptible to specific types of moisture-induced damage. The presence of moisture also affects the thermal efficiency of windows, leading to increased energy costs due to compromised insulation.
Noise Pollution
Increased Outside Noise
Modern windows are supposed to block not only outside weather conditions but noise as well. However, they will fail to perform this function if the insulation mechanism is damaged. Therefore, if the outside noise level is too high, noisy neighbors aren’t the only ones to blame. Consider potential window repair to eliminate this issue effectively and start living in a comfortable and peaceful space again.
Visible Water Damage or Rot
Water Stains and Rotting Wood
As already mentioned, if water somehow manages to get through your windows from the outside, you shouldn’t simply ignore it. Constant humidity caused by leaks through the windows might lead to window frame damage, especially if it includes wooden components. Wooden components might rot and get covered in mold, which will comprise both the aesthetic appeal and functionality of the windows.
Furthermore, moisture can compromise the integrity of adjacent structures such as walls and insulation, resulting in weakened structural elements, peeling paint, and the proliferation of harmful mold and mildew.
Peeling Paint
You can spot problems with insulation and window sealing even before the window itself and adjacent structures start getting covered in mold and rust. Peeling paint is the very first indication that water can leak through your windows. It might be difficult to spot this issue if your windows aren’t covered in paint and are mostly made of metallic elements. However, it will be much easier with wooden components. Besides, you can look for peeling paint not only on windows themselves. Peeling paint on a windowsill or wall is also a good indication that the window sealing failed to block water from the outside.
Outdated Windows
Single-Pane Windows
Often window replacement isn’t about the broken mechanism or damaged pane. Some models might be simply outdated for modern use and fail to perform effectively even if they aren’t damaged at all.
This issue is relevant for single-pane windows. They consist of just one layer of glass, offering minimal resistance to heat transfer. This results in significant heat loss during winter and heat gain during summer. Due to this, you’re forced to pay more for energy consumption for heating and cooling. Double-pane windows, on the other hand, feature two layers of glass separated by a spacer. New models have this spacer filled with inert gas such as argon, which provides an additional thermal barrier.
Old Window Technology
Window replacement is necessary if you want to fully enjoy the functionality of modern models. Old windows often lack modern features such as UV protection, which helps prevent furniture and flooring from fading due to sun exposure. They also typically offer inferior insulation, leading to higher energy bills and less comfortable indoor temperatures. Additionally, older windows are usually more difficult to maintain, lacking the easy-to-clean designs and durable materials of contemporary window systems.
Conclusion
If you notice any sign from the one mentioned above, address the issue promptly. By inspecting your windows on a regular basis, you will be able to stay aware of their current conditions. Don’t forget about constant maintenance, and don’t be afraid of addressing qualified specialists if you need a professional assessment. Some signs might be simply invisible to your eye, so rely on those who have enough experience and can provide a component consultation.
We are ready to address all your window issues quickly and efficiently. For more information on window services, contact us.