Vinyl replacement windows make a wonderful addition to any home. Not only are they more affordable than other types of windows, they are very low maintenance and can easily last for decades. But no matter what type of windows you have in your home, there are some problems you might encounter from time to time. Fortunately, many of the most common window-related problems homeowners have are fairly easy to fix.
Torn Screens
If you have a torn window screen, the good news is that this is a very simple problem to fix and you might not even have to go out and buy a completely new screen. If it’s a small tear, you may be able to patch it up with glue, clear nail polish, or epoxy. Hardware stores also commonly sell window screen patching kits, which would have all the tools you need.
If you’re dealing with a larger tear in the screen but the frame is undamaged, you can simply remove the old screen and get new screen mesh from the hardware store. Make sure the mesh is has about 2 inches of border on all sides, which will be trimmed off when you’re done. While you’re at the store, you’ll also want to get some new spline, which is that thin plastic cording that runs along the the edge of a screen to hold it in place, and a rolling tool to help put the spline in. Even if you have go this route, the process of fixing your screen will probably only take about an hour or less.
Broken Glass
Cracked or broken windows are never a good thing, but when a window is damaged or broken, having the pane replaced immediately might not be a possibility. A window with a large hole in it will need to be replaced, so while you wait for someone to come take care of that for you, attach something like a piece of wood or a plastic tarp to the window to cover the hole. But if you have a smaller crack or chip in your window, it’s important to prevent it from getting any bigger. Try using something like a clear epoxy, superglue, or clear nail polish to fill it in. Just be sure to apply them in thin layers, not one big, thick layer. If you’re lucky, this can solve the problem successfully enough that it will be easy to forget there was ever a problem.
Avoiding Streaks
Clean windows are a wonderful thing, but getting perfectly clear, streak-free windows is a challenge for many homeowners. One of the best tips for avoiding getting streaky windows is to only wash your windows on cloudy or overcast days. If you try washing windows on a bright, sunny day, the heat from the sun can cause your cleaning solution to dry on the window before you have a chance to rinse it off, which can cause streaking. Before you start windows, be sure to sort of pre-clean your windows to get rid of any larger pieces of dirt and debris. That way, they won’t get spread around your window and make your job more difficult.
Condensation Between Panes of Glass
If you have double or triple pane windows, you might see condensation form in between the panes of glass. This can be an extremely frustrating since there’s nothing you can do to get rid of it. Unfortunately, there isn’t anything you, as a homeowner, can do to solve the problem except call a professional to come look at your window. This typically happens when the seals on the panes fail. In this case, a professional may simply be able to replace the glass in your windows for you. But if they think the window seal failed for a bigger reason, like your house has shifted and thrown your window out of alignment, you may need to replace your window.
