Common Problems with the Glass in the Windows of a House

Air Leaks

• Windows that don’t hold heat in during the winter and allow too much heat inside during the summer cost homeowners a lot of money in increased utility bills. If the window pane has come loose, meaning it has lost its tight seal between the frame and sash, it should be reglazed. For a simple remedy to leaking windows -- if the glass and window frames remain sound -- buy weatherstripping and seal the leaks yourself. If the windows have deteriorated beyond easy repair, you are likely to save money by replacing them with higher-efficiency glass, which cuts your energy bills.

Difficult Cleaning

• Depending on the environmental conditions where you live, you might find your windows getting dirty often. You may have trouble reaching the outside of some windows, making modern tilt-in models desirable because the outdoor side flips down into the home for easy cleaning. To make cleaning windows easier, lightly wet the glass with cleaning solution and wipe off with a squeegee, stiff paper towel, microfiber cloth or other soft, lint-free cloth. Outdoor windows benefit from a prewash with a garden hose or other clear water source to loosen the worst dirt. Avoid cleaning windows on sunny days, which causes the glass to dry too quickly, leaving streaks.

Mold and Moisture

• Water condenses on window panes when the air becomes saturated with moisture, such as during showering or doing laundry. Excessive amounts of moisture on windows can damage the window seal, pane, frame and nearby walls if left unchecked. If you have moisture in your windows, you may also soon have a mold problem. Keeping windows properly weatherstripped or caulked cuts down on condensation, as does controlling excess humidity with good ventilation.

Maintenance Problems

• Windows sometimes cause maintenance problems when they refuse to open or close properly. When windows won’t move at all, the problem often stems from warping of the frame around the glass from the house settling. You probably need to replace the glass and have the opening reframed to solve the problem. Some problems with operation, however, need only new or repaired hardware or lubrication of the tracks or hardware.