Your windows have a lot to say. They can be downright loquacious if the situation calls for it. However, if you’re not paying close attention you could be dealing with a lack of energy efficiency or a hefty repair or replacement bill for windows that aren’t functioning properly.
So listen up and let’s decipher what your windows are trying to tell you, courtesy of your friends at Renewal by Andersen windows Everett WA:
Condensation Issues
One of the more common attributes that windows will often demonstrate is the forming of condensation at certain portions of the glass. You may find it along the bottom of the glass or the corners, you may notice it forming in between the panes, or you might even see it starting to form directly in the middle of the pane from within the home.
All of these situations come with distinct messages that your windows are trying to get across to you. If you should notice that condensation starting to emerge at the bottom of the corners of the window glass then your home has elevated levels of moisture within. There is insufficient insulation in your home and while this isn’t necessarily something that can be fixed by doing anything to the window, you should be very aware of the need to adjust the levels of moisture that are currently being felt.
In this instance, the condensation occurs when the temperature drops outdoors and the best way to prevent or reduce it is to find some way to lower the moisture level of the home. You can do this by opening a window for a brief period of time, run some fans, even try using a dehumidifier.
Perhaps you notice the condensation developing in between the panes of glass in the window. This one is easy to interpret, the seals have failed on your double or triple pane window. When the seals break, moisture gets in and becomes trapped between the panes. Luckily, this is a relatively easy issue to fix.
But if you notice that condensation at the center of your window glass and it’s emerged inside the house, then you may have a gas leak. But not to worry, the leak isn’t your gas line but the gas inside of your double or triple pane windows. Consumers choose windows with argon or other types of gas within to improve the insulation facets of the window. But if that gas has leaked out for some reason, and you notice the panes have slightly bowed in, then you will need to have the problem addressed.
Windows Won’t Function Correctly
There are all types of windows and they each operate in their own unique, specific way. But when your windows won’t work as they are intended, they’re trying to tell you that they are experiencing a malfunction of some kind. The type of problem and the appropriate fix are dependent upon the type of window that you’ve had installed.
Some windows have more common types of problems, many of which are not just easy to fix but inexpensive to do so as well. Take double-hung windows, for instance. If you have this type of window and you’re finding it difficult to open and close, you may want to check the wood. It’s likely swollen from high humidity or adjustments in the temperature. Since we’re dealing with wood here, all you need to do is sand or plane the wood to make it function more easily.
Casement windows have another set of potential problems that can quickly crop up and you’ll need to fix. But for these types of windows, all you need to do is perform a little routine maintenance on the various components of the window’s operational mechanisms. These will include the track on which the window moves or the moving parts that are utilized to physically open and shut the window itself. In most cases, all you need to do is check that the track is free of debris or other obstructions that are hindering its smooth movement.
For the other moving parts, a little cleaning and some lubrication should do the trick. Any damaged parts may need to be repaired or, more likely, replaced.
Leaks
Sometimes your window may just be trying to say that it’s unable to shut entirely. You’ll find evidence of water leaking in during rainstorms or the windows may just feel drafty. The severity of the issue will dictate what kind of action must be taken. Leaks aren’t always an indication your windows need to be replaced. In some cases, a little weatherstripping or some other minor, low cost repair is the solution.