It’s a Saturday afternoon and you’re at home catching up on your favorite TV show when suddenly the sound of shattering glass brings you back to an unpleasant reality. The neighbor’s kid hit the baseball a little too far and now you have a broken window.
Whether it was a baseball or storm debris that did the damage, fixing your window can seem like an expensive and daunting task. Fortunately, we have a guide that will teach you everything you need to know for a window repair.
Window Repair or Replacement?
Many homeowners assume that when their window has problems, they need to be replaced, which isn’t always necessary and can be significantly more expensive. Make sure to determine that you only need a repair and not a window replacement, before you keep reading below.
Window repairs are something that you can do yourself if you have the right tools, but if it’s not something that you’re comfortable trying you can always hire a professional. Hiring a professional won’t be as expensive as replacing your windows, and you’ll know the job was done right.
Broken Panes
If you need a glass replacement, the first step is to remove the glass from your window with gloves and eye protection on. After the glass is cleaned up, you’ll want to get the proper measurements for your window and order new glass at a home improvement store.
The type of window you have can change the way you replace your panes. The general way to put new glass in is to use caulk, place the glass, and then secure its edges with putty.
Drafty Windows
If your windows are letting drafts in, you can seal them back up and save money on your electric bill without having to replace them. You’ll need to reapply new caulk around the windows to seal off cracks or gaps. You can also use weather stripping to seal the edges of your window too.
Blown Windows
Blown windows can occur when the seals have worn away and allow condensation to build up and fog between the window panes. While this may be a little trickier to fix than the other two problems, it’s still doable without hiring a professional.
To repair a blown window, remove the pane, clean the inside of it out, and then find the broken seal. You can use caulk to close up the seal and then replace the pane. This is an effective method if the seal is only broken around that particular window pane.
If you’re unsure of where the break in the seal is and you don’t feel comfortable dealing with the individual panes, you can also just replace the whole sash.
Did We Help You Fix Your Window?
Dealing with a broken window doesn’t have to be a headache if you know what to do. Hopefully, this guide helps you in the event you need a window repair.
If you found this article helpful, please let us know in the comments below. Take a look at some of our other how-to guides and see if there’s anything new to learn!
