The Subtle C's: Signs You Might Need Window Repair

Posted on: 22 April 2015

Many people would agree that spotting a broken window is simple enough. When glass cracks even slightly, it can be recognised from a long way off, and when this happens, it always makes sense to call in a professional for glass repairs. However, there is a lot more to identifying broken glass than you may think, and from time to time, damaged windows can adopt much more surreptitious forms.

Listed here are 4 symptoms of a broken window you probably haven't spotted yet. Fully-functioning glass is vital for maintaining health and safety within the home, and by remembering these subtle C's, you'll be able to keep your home protected from the elements, and spot window damage early so that a quick, easy repair can be made as opposed to a long-overdue replacement.

1. Condensation & Cloudiness

Condensation may look harmless, or barely even noticeable, but if you take a look at your window panes and spot any kind of cloudy/milky appearance beginning to form, it is important that you act quickly and contact a repair team as soon as possible. When your windows begin to develop a misty look, it means that moisture has gotten in between the panes, which is a clear sign of a broken seal. Damaged seals are dangerous as the window is no longer properly secured, therefore putting anyone in the house at risk. If you begin to see any condensation and cloudiness forming between your glass panes, make sure to contact a professional to assess the damage and conduct a repair.

2. Cold Draft

Another subtle sign of damaged windows is a light, cold draft blowing in through the panes. Slowly run the palm of your hand across the window – the glass itself and the outer edges – and if you begin to feel a chill then your window is almost certainly damaged. This could be for a number of reasons, including broken seals or damaged weatherstripping, and any kind of cold air filtering through the window will require an immediate repair.

Air leaks in windows interfere with the temperature of your home, forcing you to use appliances more regularly and boosting your energy bills as a result. It's vital to contact a glass repair professional if you feel any kind of cold draft breezing in through a tightly shut window, as the longer you leave it, the more money you'll end up throwing away.

3. Creaking & Noise Pollution

Creaking windows can be completely innocent, but it's always worth getting them checked out because sometimes they hint at something a little more serious. A soft creaking sound can indicate that a seal has been damaged, and therefore the window fitting itself has become loose. Many modern windows are designed to reduce noise pollution, and if you're beginning to hear the outside world a little more clearly than before, it could be a sign that the unit itself has been damaged. This may require a unit realignment or some patch and fix work on the glass itself. Either way, it's always a good idea to call in the pros if things are getting noisy inside your home. 

4. Cleaning Issues

If your home's windows simply refuse to stay clean, it's probably not because of your choice of cleaning spray. Chances are, your glass is in need of repair. Tiny chips and cracks can form in home windows after being exposed to particularly bad weather, and because these so often go unnoticed by the tenant, they gather significant amounts of debris and dirt over time. Windows that won't get clean could well have suffered tiny chips you simply can't see, and it's certainly worth calling in a glass repair specialist to get an expert opinion on where the hidden cracks may be lying. 

Share

Glass: Function, Form, Beauty and Design

Hi, my name is Shawn. When I was ten, I loved making mosaics, and as my dad worked with stained glass, we always had lots of small pieces of coloured glass around the house to use for my mosaics. When I was at uni, I took my glass passion a different direction and began blowing glass pipes. Eventually, I got older and begin thinking about glass from a functional standpoint as well as an artistic standpoint. I am one of the rare type of people who is just as interested in buying energy efficient double-pane windows as I am making glass vases, pipes or mosaics. If you want to read about glass or anything related to it, this is the blog for you. I hope you like my posts!