Home Window Repair
Steps for Reglazing a broken Window
By Mark J. Donovan
|
|
If you live in a home long enough
chances there will come a time where a glass window breaks and needs to be
repaired. In many cases home window repair can be performed by a do it
yourself homeowner. Described below are instructions on replacing a broken
window pane.
To perform this simple home
window repair project you will need a new pane of glass, glazing putty, a
putty knife, sandpaper, safety glasses and work gloves. Paint will also be
required for the finishing touches. |
Window
Repair – Removing the Broken Glass
When performing this task always wear
safety glasses and gloves.
If it is a small window pane that has
broken, you may be able to replace the broken window glass in the frame. If it
is a large window glass pane that has been broken you should probably remove the
entire window frame so that you can more easily work with it.
Start by removing the shards of
broken glass from around the window frame. In many cases you can pull them out
of the frame simply using your gloved hands. In the process of removing the
glass you may need to remove the glazing putty from around the perimeter of the
window frame.
|
|
After removing the shards of
broken glass use a putty knife to remove the glazing putty and glazing
points. You want to make sure you do a good job of otherwise the new glass
will not slide well into the window frame. Make sure the area where the
glass sits in the window frame is completely free of any old putty.
If the glazing putty is hard, a
hair dryer may be helpful in softening it up.
|
If the window frame is old and made
out of wood, wipe down the window frame with linseed oil. Applying linseed oil
will help prevent the replacement glazing compound from drying out.
Window Repair-
Prepping the Window Frame for New Glass
Next roll some new glazing putty into
a long, thin, snake-like shape that is approximately 1/16th to 1/8th
inch thick. Apply the snake of glazing putty around the window frame area,
working it into the frame snuggly with your fingers.
Window Repair –
Inserting the New Glass Window Pane
Now cut a piece of glass such that it
is a hair smaller than the window frame area.
Insert the glass into the frame
carefully and press it down firmly into the glazing. This glazing acts as a seal
to the outside elements.
With the new glass in place, install
new glazing points every few inches around the edge of the window frame to hold
the glass in place. Be careful to not crack the new glass in the process as you
press the glazing points into the window frame sides with your putty knife or
glazing point tool.
Once the glazing points have been
installed, create a 1/8th inch thick snake like shape of glazing
putty and work it around the window frame to effectively seal in the new glass
window. To create the snake like glazing putty, just work it with your hands
into shape so that it is malleable.
Use your putty knife to firmly press
the glazing putty into place and to neatly shape it around the perimeter of the
glass. Also use the putty knife to scrape away any excess putty material.
Once the glazing putty has fully
cured, lightly sand it and apply paint over the putty. Let the paint dry and then use a razor blade
to scrape around the edges of the glass window to completely remove any excess
paint and/or glazing putty. With that, your home window repair project is
complete.
For information on
Installing a New Window, see the
Installing a New Window Ebook from
HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Installing a New Window Ebook provides
easy to understand, step-by-step instructions, on how to remove an old window
and install a new one. Pictures are included for every key step in the process.
Get Free Window Price Quotes,
No Obligation!
Fill out our 3-5 minute quick and easy form, and receive a free price quote
on windows from one of our prescreened and licensed window contractors. This
process is free and there is no obligation to continue once you receive your
window replacement price estimate.
|
