Identifying Broken Window Seals

You clean your windows, inside and out, but somehow they never actually look “clean.” You blame the kids or even the weather, but the culprit may be something a little less obvious.

Your windows are actually made up of two panes of glass, with a layer of gas between them, usually air, argon or krypton. This layer of gas works as a type of insulation for your windows that helps keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. When the window seal is broken, this means that there is a break in the seal holding the gases in. A broken seal results in a window that constantly looks dirty or foggy.

So how do you tell if you’re dealing with a broken window seal and need to look for residential glass replacement in Alaska? Here are a few simple things you can check for:

Condensation

If you notice condensation on your windows, you may be dealing with a broken seal. Make sure you clean your window thoroughly to make sure you’re not dealing with condensation or smudges on the outside of the glass. Once you are sure your window is completely clean inside and out, look again for foggy patches. If you still see any condensation at this point, you know that the moisture is between the two pieces of glass, which indicates a broken seal.

The ice trick

Sometimes you may have a broken seal, but there’s no visible condensation on the window. In these instances, you can use a piece of ice to check for a broken seal. Again, make sure you wipe down both sides of your window. Then rub a piece of ice on a small area of the window for a couple seconds. Remove the ice and wipe the window again. If there is still moisture visible on the window after you’ve wiped both sides, you have a broken window seal.

Glass distortion

One final test you can do is check for glass distortion. If your window is filled with an argon or krypton gas, the gas is not replaced with air as it leaks out. This can cause your window to bow in the middle.

One way to check for glass distortion is to stand outside away from the window and compare your reflection between the window you think has a broken seal and the other windows in your home. If your reflection appears to be more warped in one window compared to the others, you are probably dealing with a broken seal.

If you live in Alaska and you’ve detected a broken window seal in your home, you will want to get it replaced right away. A broken window seal isn’t just an annoyance; it can be costing you a lot of money in energy costs. Look for a trusted source for residential glass replacement in Alaska. A good contractor can help you identify how many windows in your home need replacing and walk you through your different window options.

Categorised in: Residential Glass Replacement