Leaking windows, be it air or water leaking in from them, can pose grave problems in any type of infrastructure they exist in. First sight of leakage through windows can cause unrest through your mind. Water leakages can cause serious damages to the structure of infrastructure by rotting and weakening the wood and iron. Simple measures at home and advanced repairs both can be done to stop such leakages.
Common signs to identify leakage points on windows
· Check for peeling paint on any ends. This shows water or moisture leakage happening around.
· Light a matchstick and move it around the window slowly and check for any flickers in the flame showing leakage of air.
· A flashlight can also be used to check the leakage with one person standing with flashlight on one side and second person on other side to check for light leaks.
Simple processes for repairing leakages at home
· Leakage occurs mostly commonly from the gap created between outside frame and glass of the windows. Repair can be done by firstly carefully scraping off the old seal used for fixing the glass to the frame. Then cleaning the frame from all sides for any useless remains. Putting back the glass and applying new seal uniformly to fix the glass without leaving any gaps ensures no leakage in future.
· If the whole window is distorted or loosened, take it out by carefully unscrewing the nuts from the inside wooden frame (one the holding the window to the wall). Place it gently on an even surface without cracking the glass. Check for the points where it is loosened and install new windows points. Use sealing compound for any holes or cracks in the wood. Check if the loosened ends are tightened. If not small iron nails can also be used to hold the structure tightly in right shape. Apply paint and glazing compound for fine finishing touches.
· Another simple method is to use a waterproof flashing tape on the borders. Make sure to use a good quality tape (preferably with good sticking adhesive). Lay it on the border as you peel off the cover of the tape and apply pressure with your hands simultaneously. This confirms firm implementation of the tape on the window border. Also we can use little heating of the tape (using blower or hair dryer) in cold temperature.
Then we have other professional methods used by carpenters using tools and equipments which would be applicable if there are major damages and would be time consuming. But for minor leakages, I am sure above methods can help you for the time being.
