We have moved to a temporary location down the street. Our new address is 5930 Hamilton Boulevard, Suite 6. Click here for directions.

17 September 2018
How to Identify and Repair a Leaky Window Seal
How to Identify and Repair a Leaky Window Seal

 

Your home's windows....they connect you to the outside world, are sources of natural light and  help protect your home against the outside elements.  Unless you live in a very old home, most of your windows probably contain two or three panes of glass, with an open space between the panes.  The industry refers to them as IGUs (Insulated Glass Units) and they are designed to regulate the temperature in your home.   This is achieved by filling the glass panes with an inert gas, like argon or krypton, which are good insulators.  The gas is held in by an air-tight seal.  Unfortunately, some seals do fail.  Let's discuss the why's, how to detect and most importantly, getting them fixed.

 

Several things can contribute to a leaky seal:

·       The age of the window and how often it is used in the home.  

·       If you reside in a climate that experiences extreme temperatures or harsh weather. 

·       Mistakes made during installation or during the manufacturing process. 

 

If there is mold present in the panes, sometimes the homeowner can weaken the seal by using a heat gun to strip paint or cleaning with a power washer. Even the best windows experience a small gas leakage of about 1% a year. 

 

Detecting a leak will mostly come down to a visual examination of the window.  Start by, cleaning both sides of the window in question as to not mistake where you may be seeing moisture.  Look for fogging or a hazy appearance inside the panes.  A build-up of moisture is a clear indication that there is a problem.   For a larger window you may see a distortion of the glass itself.   On a sunny day, stand away from the window and view any reflection you see, if it seems distorted you may have a seal leak.

 

If you detect a questionable pane, your first step should be to check your warranty.  Call the place of purchase if you are unsure of coverage, they should be happy to work with you to resolve the problem. If your warranty has expired, inquire about pane replacement.   This repair can be intensive and is not recommended as a do-it-yourself project. 

 

Defogging is an option, but has received mixed reviews.   The procedure involves drilling a tiny hole into the glass, the condensation or fogging is expelled and then a valve and new seal is installed.  This fix does not really address the cause of the leak and may only last a short while.

 

It may seem odd, but choosing to do nothing is always an option.  Consider the harshness of the climate you live in.  Do you have extreme temperatures? Do you have more rain or snow fall than the average area?  Also, weigh the costs of replacing the window vs the increase in energy.   We would not recommend this for the long term. Proper home maintenance is essential to maintain your home’s value.

 

A little prevention goes a long way with maintaining your window seals.  Examine your windows several times a year, keep them clean and caulk any gaps you may find.  Go easy on the power washing and keep the heat gun away if you have paint stripping to do. Start off any window replacement project by purchasing quality windows from a trusted source.   Make sure that the windows are installed by workers that have been trained by the manufacturer or a professionally recognized training company.  Lastly, always check the warranty to see what coverage is offered.

 

 

RSS
<< November, 2023  
SMTWTFS
1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
2627282930
Categories
Archives
November 2023 (2)
October 2023 (2)
September 2023 (2)
August 2023 (2)
July 2023 (2)
June 2023 (2)
May 2023 (2)
April 2023 (2)
March 2023 (2)
February 2023 (2)
January 2023 (2)
December 2022 (1)
November 2022 (1)
October 2022 (1)
September 2022 (1)
August 2022 (1)
July 2022 (1)
June 2022 (1)
May 2022 (1)
April 2022 (2)
March 2022 (2)
February 2022 (1)
January 2022 (2)
December 2021 (2)
November 2021 (1)
October 2021 (1)
September 2021 (2)
August 2021 (1)
July 2021 (1)
June 2021 (1)
May 2021 (1)
April 2021 (1)
March 2021 (1)
February 2021 (1)
January 2021 (1)
December 2020 (1)
November 2020 (1)
October 2020 (1)
September 2020 (1)
August 2020 (1)
July 2020 (1)
June 2020 (1)
May 2020 (1)
April 2020 (1)
March 2020 (2)
February 2020 (3)
January 2020 (3)
December 2019 (3)
November 2019 (3)
October 2019 (4)
September 2019 (3)
August 2019 (3)
July 2019 (2)
June 2019 (3)
May 2019 (3)
April 2019 (2)
March 2019 (3)
February 2019 (3)
January 2019 (2)
December 2018 (3)
November 2018 (2)
October 2018 (4)
September 2018 (3)
August 2018 (2)
July 2018 (3)
June 2018 (3)
May 2018 (3)
April 2018 (4)
March 2018 (2)
February 2018 (1)
January 2018 (1)
December 2017 (2)
November 2017 (1)
October 2017 (1)
September 2017 (1)
August 2017 (1)
July 2017 (1)
June 2017 (1)
May 2017 (2)
April 2017 (2)
March 2017 (1)
February 2017 (1)
January 2017 (1)
December 2016 (2)
November 2016 (1)
October 2016 (1)
September 2016 (1)
August 2016 (1)
July 2016 (1)
June 2016 (1)
April 2016 (1)
March 2016 (2)
December 2015 (1)
February 2015 (1)
November 2014 (1)
October 2014 (1)
September 2014 (1)
August 2014 (1)
May 2014 (3)
April 2014 (1)
March 2014 (1)
January 2014 (2)
December 2013 (1)
November 2013 (3)
October 2013 (2)
September 2013 (1)
August 2013 (3)
July 2013 (1)
June 2013 (1)
May 2013 (2)
March 2013 (4)
February 2013 (4)
January 2013 (2)
December 2012 (3)
November 2012 (2)
October 2012 (4)
September 2012 (1)
August 2012 (2)
July 2012 (1)
June 2012 (3)
May 2012 (2)
April 2012 (4)
March 2012 (1)
February 2012 (2)
January 2012 (3)
July 2011 (1)
June 2011 (1)