Steel windows fail slowly. Small problems that are cheap to fix turn into bigger ones if they are left for years. Here are seven signs worth watching for, and what each one usually means.
- Cracked or missing glazing putty. Water gets behind the glass and starts rust in the rabbet.
- Peeling paint at the bottom rail. This is where water sits and rust starts first.
- Vents that are hard to open. Hinges are seizing or rust is pushing the frame out of line.
- A sash that will not close tight. Worn hinges or a bowed frame; drafts follow.
- Cracked glass at the corners. Rust expansion puts pressure on the glass.
- Diagonal cracks in brick above the window. Often a rusting steel lintel.
- Water on the sill after rain. Failed sealant between the frame and the wall.
What to do first
Do not force a stiff vent; that bends the steel. A little penetrating oil on the hinges is fine. Keep paint and putty intact where you can, and call a steel window specialist before the problem spreads to the masonry.
Most of these problems are repaired in place in a day or two. Waiting usually turns a repair into a restoration.
Questions about your own windows? Call (215) 555-0163 or request a free estimate. See also our steel window repair and steel window restoration services.