Why It Pays To Have Your Windows and Doors Inspected Early

Delays are a part of life–construction shipments can take time. Knowing this sets you ahead of the curve, so you can plan ahead with enough time to get the job done. Call your inspector early—and not just when you notice a problem.  This will allow for any delays which are inevitable but still outside your control.

Why Do I Need An Inspection?

Let’s say you wait until you notice an issue with one of your windows. Maybe there’s a hairline glass crack or the frame isn’t shutting quite right. You call an inspector, they arrive and inform you that your window will have to be replaced. Okay, no problem–you know a great company. You arrange to get the window replaced–but then they tell you that the company they work with to provide materials is having delays due to a coming snowstorm. They’re waiting on their own shipment, and meanwhile winter is beginning. The first snowstorm hits–chilly air is leaking through the house by way of the window in question. Now ice is coating the fragile windows. You still have to wait for your replacement company to get their shipments–only now the situation is much more dire.

What Happens If I Wait?

Prolonged ice on windows can be very dangerous. As it slowly melts, the window’s topcoat of paint, wood structure, and glass is closely exposed to moisture that does not dry out quickly. This creates the same effect as prolonged humidity, which warps and rots wood, damages the polyurethane topcoat, and cracks paint. If your windows are already unsafe for any reason or have structural problems, a prolonged coat of ice or snow could crack the window frame or break the glass. Many people believe that this only happens with single-pane windows, but it happens with double pane windows as well. It is simply a matter of temperature–if it’s cold enough, it will be a problem regardless. Additionally, if there are any problems with the structure of the window, cold air can easily escape through cracks and keep your house chilly. This is not just with windows, either–doors can warp as well, leaving cracks between the door and the frame, allowing cold air to enter the home. And if your door has any glass paneling, the same applies to the door as the windows.

When Should I Get My Windows and Doors Inspected?

A late summer or early fall inspection will be early enough to avoid any weather related delays. Think about when winter weather begins in your area. Is your region accustomed to an early winter? Does frost start to accumulate on windows in late autumn? You will need to plan accordingly, because window frost can exacerbate existing problems.

Coming winter weather can cause all kinds of delays, especially in shipping. Getting an early inspection on your doors and windows before the approach of winter will ensure that any issues will be caught in time.