House Window Repair – How to Prepare for a House Window Repair
Your windows are often the finishing touch that change a house to a home. Windows provide the insulation from cold wintery conditions, or allow the summer warmth into the house. They also allow us to sit comfortably inside and look out to appreciate our gardens, lawns or scenery outside the house. If a window is broken it attacks the very character of the house. Somehow a house, no matter how perfect in every other way, appears to be incomplete with a broken window.
To prepare for a window replacement you will need to get your hands on a few essential pieces of equipment. A tape measure is a must so you can get a replacement piece of glass at the appropriate size. At the least you’ll need a screwdriver to take the window apart, but depending on the age and style of the window a crowbar, small pry bar and utility knife will also be needed.
Once you have the basic equipment for the repair together it’s time to check your window. Identifying problems early is a key part of your window maintenance. There’s no point in waiting until a damaged window becomes more damaged to repair it. Leaving in a cracked window pane can mean that the window cracks further or shatters in the next storm. Not all window repairs are on the window pane either. Check that a window opens and closes correctly without any sticking or problems. Sometimes the repair can be as simple as oiling a hinge or replacing a seal.
If you are replacing the window pane itself, the most important step of the process is getting the correct measurements. The primary measurement you need is from the left to right jambs. Start inside the left jamb and measure across to the right, but remember that windows can be prone to warping so you need to confirm this measurement is the same at the top, bottom and middle of the window. Also measure the height of the window the same way, from the lower jamb to the upper jamb.
Before you begin pulling a window apart you should review the stops and sash cords. The sash cords are the movable part of the window. Have a look at these and see how they are best removed for when you begin. Similarly make a note of how the stops are to best be removed. The window stop is the part of the window that holds the sash vertically. The removal of these can sometimes be quite tricky and lead to some damage to other parts of the window. Avoid this by taking a few moments to confirm how the window is held together and how you can most efficiently remove it without damaging the parts.
Once you have your measurements and have assessed the window your basic window repair preparation has been completed. Whether or not you plan to replace the window yourself or to call in a professional window repair service, these advance steps will save your wallet and reduce the chance of anything going wrong as you move on to completing the actual repair itself.