Rot is the plague of all wood windows. The rate at which it spreads is affected by numerous factors – the main being the humidity in the climate zone that you live in, how well they are maintained.
It’s best to fix wood windows, or the part of the window that may beginning to rot, rather than replace them without dire need, so let’s discuss the process in more detail. If you are moderately skilled with tools, have some free time and the desire to devote it to mending your window – here you go, this is an overview of the process.
How it’s done
- First, you need to carefully examine the areas that seem suspicious to you, then the rest of the window frame, and figure out the exact scale of the problem that you’re up against. You will probably need to strip off the old paint, then check for areas that are soft to the touch.
- Remove the rotten parts with a flathead screwdriver or a chisel, making sure that healthy wood is revealed on all sides and the resulting shape is close to being regular.
- Drill holes into the wood with approximately one inch between them. This will help the fillers to adhere to the surface and remain in place.
- Clean the frame of any dust before taking the next step
- Epoxy wood consolidator should be applied, paying special attention to fill the holes that you previously drilled. It’s best to apply two layers.
- Epoxy filler should restore the frame to its normal dimensions. Once applied, it can be molded into the required shape. A putty knife is handy in pressing the epoxy filler into place and cutting the extraneous pieces. Allow to dry for 24 hours
- Prep the frame for painting with sandpaper, and then paint it with exterior paint.
If, after familiarizing yourself with our review of how to fix rotting wood windows in Chicago, you don’t want to do it on your own and decide to call on a window repair company – look no further! The professional team at Window Quality Works is ready to take on any repairs – from large-scale to the tiniest problems related to your windows, doors, garage doors, or anything related. Repair a broken window or replace door hinges – we’re here to help!
