Window Repairs & How-To

On average, windows will last between 15 to 30 years, though the exact life span depends on several factors, including the type of glass, the quality and material of the frame, the local weather, and whether the window is installed properly or not. Regardless of these factors, windows and window frames can break or begin to show signs of wear, indicating that you need to repair the windows or invest in an upgrade. However, before paying for costly repairs, read on to learn 10 signs you need to replace your windows instead. 1. Visible Damage One of the most obvious signs that you should consider replacing the windows is if there is visible damage. While you can pay for the windows to be repaired, it’s important to consider their current age. Newer windows might be worth the cost of the repair, but it’s typically more cost-effective to replace older windows that are visibly damaged. Visible damage can include broken glass, a broken window frame, or even a broken seal that causes fog or moisture to accumulate between the panes. Not only can this damage put the home at risk of wood rot and mold growth, but it also detracts from the appearance of the home, reducing its value and negatively impacting the curb appeal. 2. Difficult to Operate Windows are designed to function without a lot of effort. You should be able to lock, unlock, open, and close the windows with relative ease, but as windows age, the frame might start to swell, and the hardware can rust or become bent due to regular use. When this occurs, you can pay to have the window hardware replaced or even have the frame repaired, but the same issues might happen again in a few years. Instead, it might be better to replace the window entirely to ensure you have another 15 to 30 years before you need to worry about the windows again. Keep in mind that while you can replace just one window at a time, it’s often better to invest in replacing multiple windows at once for a lower overall cost. 3. Room Feels Drafty While windows are designed to allow fresh air into the home, this doesn’t mean you always want outside air flowing into your house. If you notice that the room is drafty or that air seems to be leaking through the windows when they’re closed, this is typically a sign that the seal around them is broken, bent, or otherwise deformed. Replacing the seal will fix this issue, so if your current budget is too tight for a full window replacement, this might be a short-term solution. However, as the window ages, other problems will begin to occur, so this could be a good time to replace the window entirely. 4. Frames Feel Soft Some windows have metal window frames, but there is also a wide variety of wooden window frames. After years of exposure to rain, sleet, hail, and snow, the wood frames could begin to rot or break down, causing them to feel soft or spongy to the touch. This is a clear indicator that you will need to replace the windows and frames before the moisture begins to seep into the home. Similarly, if your window frames are made of metal, look for signs of rusting, chipping, or even crumbling, which typically indicates that the window frame is gradually breaking down. If the frame is no longer able to hold the glass or to keep moisture outside, it puts the home at risk, so plan to replace the windows as soon as possible. 5. High Energy Bills Home energy bills can be affected by a wide variety of issues around the home, like low-efficiency appliances, poor insulation, aging heating and cooling systems, or faulty windows. Since the furnace works to keep the home warm in the winter, and the air conditioner is primarily responsible for keeping the home cool in the summer, any drafty areas of the home where heat can flow freely through the walls reduce its overall efficiency. Faulty windows with loose or damaged seals can contribute to rising energy bills by forcing the heating and cooling system to work harder just to maintain the set temperature indoors. If you suspect this is the case, you can have the window seals replaced, though depending on the age and condition of the windows, it might be better to invest in a full window replacement to resolve the issue for the foreseeable future. 6. Water Leaks Through the Windows Windows are made to keep rain, sleet, hail, snow, and other sources of moisture outside the home, so if you notice that water seems to be coming in through your windows, this is a sign that you need to replace your windows as soon as possible. A little bit of water won’t do a lot of damage, but continued exposure to water can rot the window frame, warp the windowsill, damage the drywall around the windows, cause high humidity in the room, and even damage the flooring under and around the windows, depending on the severity of the leak. If you are short on funds and need a short-term solution, you might be able to prevent the window from leaking by replacing the seal, though this isn’t a guaranteed fix, especially if the window frame is already damaged. It’s best to replace the

Credit: Getty Images / Vicki Smith Opening windows that have been painted shut can prove challenging, as dried paint creates a surprisingly strong hold. Whether it was a simple window painting mishap or your home got the “landlord special,” where every surface was covered with layers upon layers of white paint, you’ll need to break the seemingly impenetrable seal that the dried paint creates. To help you get started, this guide explains various methods for opening a window that has been painted shut, along with the necessary safety measures to use. How to Unstick Windows That Have Been Painted Shut To open windows that have been painted shut, you need to break through the paint holding the window shut. While this may sound simple, it can be difficult. Here are a few different effective methods, but you need to choose the one that is right for your situation. For example, if you want to preserve the paint on the window, choose a method that disturbs it as little as possible. 1. Apply Heat A heat gun is useful for warming and loosening the paint bond, which allows you to easily scrape it off the window and remove it from the sash so you can open the window. It can be challenging to pinpoint precisely where to apply the heat, so you should only rely on heat application if you aren’t looking to preserve the surrounding paint. Before using a heat gun, ensure there’s nothing nearby that can be damaged and refrain from using heat on plastic window sashes, as they may warp and melt. 2. Score the Paint With a Multitool Painter’s multitools, such as a 5-in-1 tool, are effective for scoring and cutting out paint that’s holding a window shut, as they’re both strong and sharp. However, the thicker blade might damage the surrounding paint, so choose this option only if you’re looking to replace the surrounding paint. 3. Score the Paint With a Utility Knife If you want to preserve the paint finish while also unsticking the window, scoring the seal with a razor blade or a utility knife can offer the cleanest cut. However, if your paint is old, brittle, or has several layers, it can be difficult to score it cleanly. If this is the case, a heat gun can be effective for warming and softening the paint, allowing you to score it more easily and cleanly. To preserve the paint on the window, avoid applying too much direct heat, as it can cause the paint to bubble and compromise its integrity. 4. Break Deeper Seals With a Putty Knife If you’ve scored the paint along the window sash, but the window still won’t budge, dried paint may have seeped deeper into the sash. To break this invisible paint’s hold, place a thin, flexible putty knife in the gap and lightly tap it with a hammer. Work your way around the window until you’ve fully broken the seal and the window opens. If the window has been painted shut, there’s a good chance it hasn’t been operable for years. To aid in future operation and prevent your window from getting stuck again, apply a spray lubricant, such as silicone spray, to the tracks. 5. Use Wood Shims to Open the Gap As you work your way around the window, slide thin wood shims into the gap to slightly hold the gap open, lightly tapping them into place with a hammer if needed. Be careful not to push the shims in too far, as this may stress the window and could even break the glass. 6. Score the Outside of the Window Still no luck? If you haven’t already, check the outside of the window to ensure it hasn’t been painted shut as well. Window Paint Removal Safety Tips Before attempting to remove paint, take the necessary safety precautions to keep you and those around you safe during the paint removal process. Test for lead paint. Removing lead paint requires a higher level of precaution . Most experts recommend skipping lead paint removal and instead opting for encapsulation, so your safest bet may be to score the paint enough to open the window without removing it altogether. Wear the appropriate safety gear. Whenever removing paint, wear the proper respirator to protect against both particles and fumes. Additionally, wear safety glasses and gloves when working with tools for paint removal. Use caution when scoring paint. Whenever you’re using a blade to score paint, use extreme caution and do so slowly and steadily. Moving too quickly or applying too much force may result in injury or damage to the surrounding materials. Consider masking the glass. When working around windows with hand tools, there’s a risk of broken glass. To protect your windows, consider taping cardboard to cover the glass while you work.