Dependable Window Repair in Northern Virginia

Most people value windows very highly—they make our homes a lot more comfortable and pleasant to be in, and we definitely notice when natural light and fresh breezes aren't available because windows are inadequate or malfunctioning and need window repair. Northern Virginia homeowners and business owners can rely on their local, experienced handyman team to get their property back in functional, energy efficient and visually appealing condition.

Our team of qualified service professionals at Mr. Handyman of Northern Virginia - Arlington to Haymarket have plenty of experience and a wide range of repair, maintenance, installation and improvement services designed to enhance the appeal and livability of your property. Contact us at (703) 621-4817 to find out more about what we can do for your home or commercial business.

Our Expert Northern Virginia Window Repair Services

Well-maintained windows are a vital factor in the energy efficiency of your home. They also play a role in your home’s exterior curb appeal and how well natural light infiltrates the inside of your home. Although there are a large variety of window types, there are a few routine window repair and maintenance tasks that your local handyman can take care of to allow your windows to function properly for a long time, no matter what type of windows you have. When it comes to window repair, Northern Virginia technicians on our team are often called to deliver services such as caulking, trim repair, painting and sash repair.

Window Caulking

Caulk is a sealing substance used on window exteriors to close gaps in areas where your window meets the rest of your house. Over time, caulk around windows can dry out and crack due to exposure to elements such as wind, rain, sunlight, cold temperatures and extreme heat. Depending on how much exposure to these elements your house is subjected to, windows should be re-caulked every couple of years.

Because caulk seals up tiny gaps, cracks and holes in the exterior shell of your house, caulking is a part of window repair services that has a big impact on the thermal performance of your property overall, as well as in making your home more energy efficient. Your HVAC system doesn't need to operate as frequently because your frames are doing their part to prevent heat transfer and air movement. This helps to keep your energy bills low.

Another big benefit of caulking is that it provides sound separation to block outdoor noises from intruding into your home and disturbing your peace and quiet. If you frequently find yourself bothered by sounds from outside, even when your windows are closed, applying acoustic caulk inside your window frames could make a significant difference.

Trim Repair

Although builders and contractors are choosing to use composite materials around windows and doors more frequently these days, there are still a lot of windows that are trimmed with wood. Timber is vulnerable to wood rot when it is frequently exposed to moisture and will eventually soften and crumble apart. If the damage is too extensive, the wood window frame will need to be replaced, painted and caulked. It can also be replaced with composite materials or vinyl windows, which will prolong the life of the trim.

When it's necessary to get window repair, Northern Virginia homeowners often don't realize how much of a difference trim repair can make to the energy efficiency of their home. In the video below, a cracked, rotting exterior frame on this Haymarket home was letting in air drafts and moisture that were changing the temperature in the house and increasing energy costs. Once we got that trim replaced, this homeowner found that their energy bills decreased noticeably.

Painting

Painting is another routine window repair task that your Northern Virginia handyman can perform. As paint on the window trim ages, it can fade, become brittle or flake off. Sanding and scraping loose paint prior to applying new paint will ensure paint will adhere properly.

We'll also take care of caulking the seams of the trim as it's likely overdue for re-caulking if the paint is peeling or flaking.

In the video below, bubbling paint on a bay window in Alexandria, VA was an early warning sign of moisture incursion. We got to it soon enough to prevent rot from setting in and took care of caulking the seams of the picture window's metal roof while we were up there on our ladder to prevent water from seeping in behind the roof structure.

Sash Repair

It is often possible to fix a unit with window repair rather than replacing the entire package. When a window does not open properly or once opened does not stay open, this is an indication of one of the mechanisms inside the window malfunctioning. Our experienced team frequently replaces common components such as window shoes, window latches, tilt mechanisms and balances.

The video below features a home in Woodbridge, VA that had a severely damaged sash—you can see how its seal is seriously warped and its wood is crumbling due to rot caused by moisture incursion. Despite how bad the condition of its sash was, the frame itself was actually in decent shape. We repaired the sash by reinforcing damaged parts and replacing the seal before putting it back into its frame.

Why Our Team is the Best Choice for Window Repair in Northern Virginia

When you call our Mr. Handyman pros, you’ll get prompt, efficient service and top-quality workmanship. More importantly, you’ll get peace of mind knowing your home or commercial property is being cared for by window repair experts who will go the extra mile to ensure that they restore your windows to perfect working order and get them looking their very best.

Benefits of Working With Mr. Handyman

• Convenient, one-call solution for all your home repair needs
• Licensed and insured
• Experienced, dedicated service professionals
• Workmanship guarantee

Frequently Asked Questions About Window Repair

What Are the Signs My House Needs Window Repair Services?

Problems with frames, sashes, panes, latches and other components tend to start small and slowly worsen over time, so homeowners are tricked into just living with them instead of seeking out window repair. Northern Virginia residents can actually reap some big advantages from keeping their units in excellent condition with maintenance and the occasional repair job, including improved energy efficiency, greater comfort and enhanced home appeal. If you're aware of the signs that indicate you need window repair sooner rather than later, you can call our team for help before the damage gets out of hand. Some of the common warning signs to be aware of are:

• Air drafts
• Rotting wooden frames and sashes
• Moisture damage such as softened drywall and mildew
• Insect infestations
• Unit is difficult to open and close
• Latch is broken
• Condensation trapped between glass panes
• Inadequate sound separation
• Peeling or bubbling paint and flaking solid stain

If you notice any of the above problems, it makes sense to get them fixed by our window repair professionals before the issue gets much worse and causes discomfort to your household.

Can Rotten Wood Be Fixed With Window Repair?

Yes and no. Wood rot is a variety of decay that eats away at timber fibers such as cellulose or lignin, depending on the type of rot. Because part of the wood is actually missing, it can never be perfectly restored to its former condition, but there are some ways of eliminating it and making the repaired area look as good as new. Smaller patches of rot on the surface of a piece of timber can typically be handled with a wood window repair strategy that involves scraping away the rotted parts and filling the gap with epoxy, then sanding it smooth and painting over it to conceal the epoxy filler. In some situations where it would be prohibitively difficult to remove the wood, it can be strengthened and squared off with epoxy as well.

If the damage is advanced or extensive, however, the most cost effective way to deal with window repair is by replacing the rotted wood altogether. The video below shows a house in Springfield, VA with rotting wooden panels under a bay window. You can see how the lower right corner in particular is suffering from peeling paint and softened wood that is crumbling apart, but the entire structure was affected. This rot was caused by excessive water exposure, which also damaged the insulation inside its trim cavity. We removed its rotting timber entirely and built a base out of plywood, then filled its cavity with fresh insulation. Finally, we installed attractive face panels over plywood to complete this wood rot-related window repair project.

Why Is There Moisture Trapped Between My Window Panes?

If you have double-pane window glass that has become foggy or misty because there's condensation trapped between the panes, you're probably eager to get the problem fixed by finding the right window repair strategy. This problem is particularly annoying because it's so unattractive and if it's bad enough, it can prevent you from seeing through the window at all. In addition, it indicates that your unit is not energy efficient and is allowing for heat transfer that increases your energy costs.

Dual pane units have two or more panes of glass that are separated by a small gap and sealed together along the sides of the glass. Sometimes the gap is filled with argon gas to give it extra insulating power. If the seal is broken, the argon escapes and condensation gets between the panes, giving the unit that fogged look. While replacing the seal is sometimes possible, it's usually a temporary solution. That's why we typically recommend getting a replacement window through a replacement service. This allows you to be sure the problem is dealt with and won't be recurring any time soon.

Is Northern Virginia Window Repair Always the Best Option?

Not necessarily. As we mentioned above, there are some situations such as fogged panes in which window replacement services are a better choice than window repair. Northern Virginia properties with widespread or severe damage to frames, sashes or glass are likely going to get better results with a full replacement by our experienced technicians.

If replacement is the best choice for your home, you may need to choose between a full frame or pocket replacement. While a pocket replacement is generally less costly, it reduces the amount of visible glass in the panes. A full-frame installation has a higher upfront cost, but typically produces more satisfactory results. If you're not sure which to choose, our service technicians are happy to consult with you and offer a recommendation so you can make an informed decision.

When It's Time for Window Repair, Northern Virginia Residents Can Rely On Mr. Handyman

If you live in Manassas, Fairfax Station, Falls Church or other parts of our Northern Virginia service area, you can count on excellent workmanship and unbeatable customer service from the professionals at Mr. Handyman of Northern Virginia - Arlington to Haymarket. Let us show you what we can do to enhance your residential or commercial building by getting in touch with us at (703) 621-4817 to chat with our customer service staff and schedule an appointment for our reliable handyman services.