A cracked window might not be much, but when left untouched, it could compromise your home’s security and ability to provide comfort. It’s your windows that keep the drafts and neighborhood intruders out. While a small crack is easy to overlook, minor damage could lead to major issues the longer you ignore it. In this guide, we’ll be talking about the steps you can take to fix a cracked window so you’ll spare yourself from buying a replacement that costs more.
Top Reasons Why Windows Crack
Even with high-quality windows, you will find yourself trying to fix and replace them. Many things cause damage even to the most durable glass.
Projectiles
A baseball thrown at high speed and debris carried off by severe winds are the main culprits. They can also cause considerable injury if the windows aren’t properly reinforced.
Regular Wear-and-Tear
Other reasons take a long time before causing the glass to crack. Much like anything else, windows are subject to regular wear and tear. Windows installed in the 1950s and never once replaced won’t last long against strong winds. In most cases, windows are only good for at least 15 years before they lose their ability to withstand the elements.
Temperature Changes
Temperature cracks are more subtle, but they can lead to serious damage over time. High external temperatures cause glass materials to expand and weaken. Extreme cold, on the other hand, causes one side of the glass to contract. With the interior side warmer than the other, the glass is pulled and expanded in many ways that it eventually shatters. This doesn’t happen in an instant, but this usually starts with a small crack that continues to worsen as the seasons change.
Shifting Soil
In more severe cases, ground movements can also cause the glass to break. You will more likely observe this if you built your home on softer soil. Before it breaks completely, your windows could still be saved if the damage is still manageable. You just have to understand the nature of the damage so you will know how to approach it without hassle.
Assess the Windows
An assessment of the damaged window is needed to determine how much work is required for the repair. Small cracks can easily be patched up, especially if you could feel air seeping through the gaps. Larger damages require patience and extra care due to their high fragility.
Whichever the case, you’ll have to make sure the glass would come out sturdier if you opt to fix it rather than replace it. Factors like the quality of the glass and its material composition should be considered. Annealed glass, though the cheapest window material around, is more fragile with a tendency to shatter into dangerous shards.
Pressure changes can also alter the shape of the glass, resulting in a higher chance of breaking. This usually happens if you live somewhere that experiences temperature extremes in the summer and winter. Your location should affect how you repair and strengthen your windows so they’ll last longer than their 15-year lifespan.
The Steps for Fixing Your Windows
Once you know the nature of the damage done to your window, you can now proceed to the simple task of fixing it. It’s simple because you can easily do it yourself. All you need is to follow the right steps.
1. Analyze the crack
The complexity of the work will depend mostly on how bad a case it looks. Hairline cracks are normal as they may have appeared at some point in the manufacturing process. They are also caused by small particles.
More severe cracks caused by high-impact projectiles are more difficult to patch up, especially if the damage affects most of the surface, in which case a total replacement would be more practical. If this is exactly the kind of damage you have, click here and shop for quality window replacements in Canada. Consider yourself lucky if it’s a minor crack that could be easily sealed using the right tools.
2. Prepare the materials
If you think the crack is manageable, you can create a makeshift repair kit consisting of a few on-hand tools. Your main material for the repair is an epoxy solution designed for all types of glass. Found in any hardware store, the product usually includes two substances: One is the epoxy itself and the other is the activator. Aside from the epoxy solution, you will also need a toothpick, a putty knife, and a piece of cardboard for mixing and applying the substance onto the glass.
3. Clean the surface of any debris
Once you have everything you need for the repair, you will need to make sure the glass surface is free of debris, including dirt, dust, dead insects, and hair. You can do this by using a standard window cleaner, dishwashing soap, or detergent.
Use a sponge to clear off any stains and a clean rag to dry the surface and remove any remaining particles. It pays to be thorough as you wouldn’t want any debris to get stuck in the cracks.
4. Mix and apply the epoxy
When mixing the epoxy, follow the instructions in the packaging. Generally, you will want to mix an equal amount of epoxy and hardener, but the ratio will vary from one brand to another. Place these substances on a piece of cardboard and mix them using a toothpick until they form a homogenous mass.
With a putty knife, pick up a small amount and apply it to the cracks. Make sure to spread the solution evenly. Depending on the instructions, you will have to wait at least five minutes until the epoxy sets and dries.
5. Polish it to perfection
Once the epoxy hardens, you will need to remove the excess using a rag. Applying nail polish will make it easier to wipe off. The hardened residue outside the cracks can be scuffed off using a razor blade. Do this gently to avoid causing more cracks. If you’re satisfied with the work so far, leave the window overnight and give the glass a final polish.
Endnote
A cracked window is a big deal if you value energy efficiency, privacy, and security. Leaving it as it is will only lead to more serious problems.
