When I noticed a few chips in the windows of my home, I didn't worry too much about how it would affect anything. Instead, I mainly focused on how it made my home look, and I secretly cursed the unsightly damage. However, those small chips began to grow until there were large cracks. After having that experience, I decided to dedicate myself to spreading the word about the problems associated damaged glass. Read this blog to find out how damaged glass could affect you and your family members.
Understanding The Dangers of Damaged Glass
Three Times You Can Skip The Diagnostic Visit And Just Order A Glass Or Window Replacement
Maëlyne Fleury
In some situations, you'll need to have an expert window repair technician come out to take a look at a problem window and decide what's to be done about it. In a few cases, though, you may be able to look at the damage yourself and realize that it's too extensive for a repair and that a window replacement is your best bet. Skipping the diagnostic visit, you can simply ask for quotes on replacing the windows you currently have. Here are three such situations.
1. When there's an extensive enough break
If one pane of your window is decisively broken, it's going to be pretty clear that you'll need a replacement pane. Some chips and cracks can be repaired, but not all. However, if your glass has a hole all the way through (with bits missing), long or complex cracks, or has simply shattered out of the frame, it's time for new glass. And if you have a double-paned window, any crack that allows air to pass through the pane is going to mean that the vacuum seal is compromised and your window won't be able to insulate as well any more.
2. When the seals have obviously failed
Even if there's no shattering or cracks, the seals sometimes fail on double-paned windows. This is sometimes because of a factory defect or incompetent installation, but it's just as likely to be due to aging and weathering of the window. The seals only last for a certain number of years before they become likely to give out. Signs that the seals have completely failed include:
- Fogginess and condensation between the panes
- Mold between the panes
- Flecks of white along the bottom of the panes (on the inside)
- Windows that are inexplicably dirty even after being washed (the grime is on the inside)
3. When you only have single-paned windows
If your windows are single-paned, it's probably a good idea to just replace the whole window if there's a break. After all, single-paned windows have almost no insulation value, and a large proportion of heat loss in winter or heat gain in summer can come from windows, so you'll see savings on your heating bill and your cooling bill once you switch to more insulated windows. Double-paned windows use a vacuum seal with inert gas between the panes to reduce heat transfer between the inside and the outside of your home (which is why it's so important to get a repair if the seal breaks, because then the insulation goes down the drain).
Talk with a local glass repair shop right away to remedy these situations.
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