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Home Window Repair Your windows in your home could be affected by a sandstone from your lawnmowers' plow or heavy glass that sits on the top of your coffee table. These issues can be easily fixed by you without having to call a professional. These simple fixes might not be able to win you any beauty contests for your home, but they will keep your windows in top condition. Broken Panes A stray baseball or a strong winds can cause damage to a window pane, leaving your home vulnerable to the elements. But replacing a single pane isn't as difficult as you think and is a cheaper fix than purchasing an entirely new window or hiring an expert. You can replace a broken pane of glass quickly and easily by using the use of a few tools. Before you begin your work, put on the safety glasses and clear the area around the window of glass splinters as well as glass chards. Clean the frame and take off any old paint or varnish from the wood. Remove the saddle bars from a metal sash. Then, using a utility blade to carefully cut away the trim from the window frames. Be careful not to damage any lead on the existing glass and do not try to crack it too much. If you are using a brand new pane, it is best to cut it in a hardware shop. This will ensure that the glass is the right size. Be sure to subtract 1/8 inch from the actual dimensions of the opening to the glass because wood expands and expands and contracts. Glazier's points and glazing putty are used to keep the majority of single pane windows into place. Apply a large amount of glaziers putty around the broken glass on the wood frame. Press the glazier's point into putty every six inches. This will secure the window in position and allow you to seal your frame later. Before applying any putty, moisten your finger with linseed oils and rub it across the surface of the wood. This will help to lubricate the glue and make it easier to work with. Glazing putty is a limiting product that will dry over time. Add a few drops of Linseed to the mix to prolong its shelf life. Once the putty has a good amount of moisture and you are ready to begin fixing your window. Broken Seals The rubber used to seal double paned windows can wear out over time. This can leave the windows open to moisture, which can compromise its purpose and allows it to let in cold or warm humidity. The first sign that a seal is broken is condensation or fog between the two panes. A noticeable difference in temperature between the outside and inside your home is another sign. A damaged seal could cause windows to appear blurred or appear distorted as the sealed gas escapes. Window replacement is the only way to bring your windows back to their original state. Many double-paned modern windows come with warranties and are easily replaced by the homeowner at no additional cost. If your windows are under warranty, it is important to take advantage of this option as soon as you can to save on the cost of a full replacement. The warranty will cover the labor and materials required to repair or replace windows. While windows can be replaced at home However, the process is difficult and requires specialized tools. The best choice is to hire a professional window installer. They'll take care of the cleaning, removal, and installation of your windows, while ensuring they are properly coated and insulated to shield your home from the effects of moisture, cold air and hot sun. Window replacement could also save money on your energy bills. Replacing old windows with new double pane windows can dramatically cut your heating and cooling costs. Plus the insulation of newer windows is better and they provide a more comfortable environment in your home. The only drawback to the window replacement project is the initial cost. However, this could be offset with the savings you will notice on your electricity bill over time. Sashes that won't let you open A sash window that isn't able to open poses more than just an inconvenience, it can be dangerous. The sash may close in a flash and damage anything on the sill, including pets and children. Fortunately, single and double-hung windows are designed with balanced mechanisms that keep the sash up and away from the jambs. It could be that the sash has not been properly connected to the mechanisms or it is in need of be reset or locked. Start by testing if the window moves. If it doesn't move then try using an instrument that is placed on the rail where the lower and upper sashes meet to pull them apart. If the window does move, take off the sash and place it on a surface to access the sides. If the spline on the sash is loose in a few spots, you can use an utility knife to cut the spline at the corners. If the spline has been torn or broken off entirely it is necessary to replace it. If the sash remains stuck, you may have to remove the front stop trim piece. Hardware stores sell special tools to do this. A putty blade will also be useful. You'll also need to score the seal of paint around the sash channels using your cutting tool and remove any screws that keep the stops in their place. After that, you can lift the sash from the frame and reposition the sash. If the sash is still stuck, it's likely that the balance shoe has moved towards the bottom of the frame. Resetting it is simple to mark the location of the hinge channel on the frame, then unscrew it. Fill the holes in the screws with wood filler or epoxy and scrape them smooth before reinstalling the channel. Once the hinge channel is in place, simply reset the balance pin by advancing it into the “U” position. Reposition the sash in a way that it aligns with the balance and check it again. Wood Rot Wood rot can cause structural damage to a home. It comes in a variety of forms that include dry and wet rot. Both are caused by a combination moisture and fungus. glass replacement and dry decay can be treated, though they're best stopped at the source. Property owners can look for decay in areas that are likely to be damp, like outside window frames, timber joists and basement subfloors. It is also recommended to inspect wood anywhere there are cracks and gaps. If there is a hole the hole should be cleaned using a water-resistant wood filler and then filled. Once the wood has dries and is stained, it must be repainted to match the surrounding material. If you use stain for wood it is essential to test the product on a small portion of the filler prior to applying. This will ensure the stain does not change color, corrode, or alter the appearance of your woodwork. Wet rot is easy to spot, as it often has an unpleasant odor that is similar to soil that is rotting. It is also soft and easier to feel than uninfected wood. Dry rot, on the other hand it can be difficult to identify. This kind of fungus attacks the cells in timber, causing them to break down and disintegrate. Dry rot is often more difficult to repair than wet rot, because it can get deeper into the material. It can be avoided, however by identifying and fixing the cause of moisture, such as a leak or damp that is penetrating. It's also helpful to regularly clean gutters of obstructions to avoid a accumulation of water that could lead to leaks around the home or a basement that's flooded. The chance of rot can be minimized by keeping basements and crawlspaces dry and by using dehumidifiers. They should also be sure to regularly clean the sealant or caulking around windows and doors to stop water from entering into gaps. In addition they should replace damaged or damaged timbers.