Drafts, water damage, difficulty operating your window, poor caulking, and misalignment; these are the top signs that your window wasn’t installed properly. In this article, we explore what poor installation looks like, the consequences of poor window installation, and what you can do to fix the problem:
Key Takeaways
- Poor window installation leads to water damage, air leaks, and poor energy efficiency.
- Drafts, water damage, difficulty operating your window, sloppy caulking, and misalignment are all signs that your window was improperly installed.
- You can seal gaps, fix some operational issues, and deal with some water damage yourself; for most things, however, you’ll need a professional to help fix the problem.
- The pros at Nisby can replace your windows – and you’ll never have to worry about poor installation!
What Are The Common Signs Of Bad Window Installation?
1. Gaps & Drafts Around Your Windows
Air leaks and drafts, caused by gaps around your window, are one of the telltale signs of improper window installation. In the worst-case scenario, it’s a sign of the window being the wrong size – a tough problem to fix. In a more ideal world, the window is properly fitted, but improperly sealed; in these cases, weatherstripping and caulk will be your friend (more on that later).
You can tell whether or not your windows are drafty by using a simple test: Light a candle near your window. If the candle flickers or the smoke from the candle moves in a particular direction (other than up), then you’ve got a drafty window.
2. Water Damage Or Leaks Near Windows
When a window is improperly installed, the seal between the window panes may be broken. This leads to air moving between panes, cooling or heating them. As the air changes temperature, condensate forms on your windows; over time, that condensation can build up, causing water damage to the window sill.
Water damage and leaks can also be caused by the gaps we talked about in the previous section; if water makes its way through your windows during a rainstorm, it’s a surefire sign that your windows were improperly installed. What good is a window that won’t keep water out during a storm?
3. Difficulty Opening Or Closing Windows
Your windows should glide open and close almost effortlessly; if they’re getting stuck, it could be for a few different reasons, including:
- A warped window frame
- Improper sizing
- Poor levelling
These problems can also cause your window to be wobbly – and a wobbly window is likely to have gaps in it. No matter what the exact cause is, if your window is hard to open or close, it may have been improperly installed.
4. Messy Caulking & Poor Seals
You can see whether or not a contractor did a poor job installing your windows by checking the caulking. Improperly applied caulking will look uneven – thinner in some parts, thicker in others, or even jagged or misaligned. You might also spot gaps or cracks in the caulking.
Poor caulking can lead to all kinds of different problems, like seal failure, poor insulation, moisture damage, and drafts. It’s also a sign that the installer didn’t take the time to do a good job, or to inspect their work once they were finished; that hints at a poor work ethic, which might mean the rest of your window wasn’t installed properly, either.
5. Misalignment & Uneven Windows
Aesthetics matter. Look at your windows; are they all aligned? We recommend taking a look both inside and outside, and using measuring tape, levels, and other tools to ensure that everything is even.
When it’s not, it’s a sign that some of the windows were oversized or undersized, or that they simply were not installed evenly. In either case, you’ll want a professional window installer to fix the problem.
How To Fix The Improperly Installed Windows
Seal Gaps & Prevent Drafts
The tools and techniques you’ll use to seal gaps in your window will depend on the size of the gap and where the gap is located:
- Rope caulk is great as a temporary seal for gaps in your window.
- Foam backer is a good choice for larger gaps, but it must be paired with caulking.
- Removable caulk is a good choice for awkward gaps.
- Draft snakes are good for gaps near the windowsill.
- Shrink film is the right pick if you want an extra layer of insulation on your window.
- Weatherstripping can help improve insulation when applied along the edges of your window sashes.
Depending on the scenario, you may use several of these tools to seal the gaps in your windows. Remember, however, that they are temporary fixes; the best way to get rid of gaps is to get a properly installed window.
Repair Water Damage & Leaks
The first step is to determine where the leak is coming from; water near your window may actually be coming from openings in the wall, or leaks from the upper floors. Removing the window is sometimes the only way of determining where the leak is coming from; it may also reveal rot, mould, or other problems.
When the leak is coming from the area where the sash meets the jamb or on the window frame, it could be an improperly installed window. Replacing weatherstripping, unclogging drainage channels, and removing old caulk and putting fresh caulk on your window can all help.
When it doesn’t, it could be that there are more serious problems with the installation; a new installation may be necessary.
Fix Operational Issues & Hardware
Sometimes, the reason your window is hard to open or close has nothing to do with installation; it might be the operational hardware that’s having issues. We can’t talk you through repairing or replacing all of the handles, knobs, and tracks on your window; there are simply too many kinds to cover in this article (but let us know if you want a more comprehensive breakdown).
We can, however, say that it’s worth looking for loose or missing screws, corrosion or rust (though we hope you don’t see those on a new window), or loose or broken knobs or handles. Replacement can help; so can lubricant on tracks. It all depends on your window!
Fix Foggy Windows
When there’s fog and condensation between your window panes, you can try to fix the problem by replacing your window sashes. This method will help reduce fog, but it won’t replace the inert gas that leaked out between your window panes; this gas acts as an excellent insulator.
In our experience, it’s usually best to find replacement windows when you have fog between your window panes. Foggy windows are poorly installed windows, and the effort of getting replacement sashes when you’ve already lost energy efficiency (remember, you’ve lost inert gases) is usually not worth it.
Correct Window Alignment & Levelling
Here’s another poor window installation problem that isn’t a DIY fix: When your windows are not properly aligned, you should call professional window installers to fix the problem.
Why Proper Window Installation Is Essential
Windows are more than just aesthetically pleasing; they provide insulation and weatherproofing for your home. When your windows are installed correctly, you won’t have to worry about water damage, and you’ll spend less money on heating and cooling. Proper installation is an absolute must.
Our Expert Window Installation Services
At Nisby Home Renovations, we offer comprehensive window installation services. We install and replace windows of all kinds: Casement windows, bay windows, awning windows, egress windows, and more. All of our windows are designed to withstand the extreme weather events and temperatures we can see here in Winnipeg.
Most importantly, we install windows right the first time, so you’ll never need to read an article like this again. Contact us today!
