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Ensuring you make your home nice and cosy is a lot of hard work, but if winter comes or you feel a draft in the home, one of the reasons you’re not getting your home to peak comfort is quite possibly because there’s a problem with your windows. But what are some of the most common window issues we can all experience? Here are a few to bear in mind.
Draughts
If you’ve got draughty windows during the winter or summer, it can make your home particularly uncomfortable. There are a number of reasons your windows could be causing you problems.
It could be due to the fact that your windows aren’t energy efficient, they’re old, or were not installed properly the first time around. If you put your hand around the window frame and you feel a gentle breeze, the best place to begin is to seal up cracks or opt for installing weather stripping, which creates a solid seal to prevent drafts from coming in.
Fogginess
If your windows are foggy, the issue typically stems from your window seal. If you’ve got broken seals, moisture can leak into the window, especially if you’ve got double or triple glazing, and this can cause fogginess. This is also known as the window being “blown.” A short-term fix would be to defog it by using a defogging spray, but you should look at repairing the sealing around the window. If you cannot afford to invest in new window panes right now, you can also use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture.
Leaks
If there’s any leakage around your window, you need to deal with this right away. When there’s moisture, mould can grow, and this can result in a number of serious health problems, for example, asthma. You can fix leaking windows by cleaning the window frames and resealing them. But if this doesn’t work, you will need to replace the window before the water causes any extra damage. If you see any discolouration, peeling paint, or any stains and odours, these are typical signs that your window is experiencing water damage.
Warping
Warping occurs when moisture gets into the wood frames. This causes it to contract and expand, which can bend your windows. If the warping damage is very minimal, you can cover over cracks with some filler, but you can also add a new coat of paint to the windows. However, if your windows are extremely warped, it’s essential for your safety to get them replaced.
Not Opening or Closing Properly
If you are using excessive force, there could be problems with the hinge. One of the biggest reasons hinges cause window problems is because grit and dirt build up over time, causing the hinges to be stiffer. This is something that you can easily fix by adding some lubrication to help them move smoother.
When there are problems with your windows, it can certainly be a pain, but as long as you are proactive, you can get these issues sorted quickly and safely.
