All of my double glazing seems to be failing!

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

A couple of weeks ago I only had one pane to be fixed, then another started getting condensation on the inside. I checked the cost of just getting those replaced and it was about £300 or so. . . .in the last couple of days about eight more have gone to various degrees in various windows around the house (so basicly every window now has at least two).

Is there any other magic solution to getting these fixed? Even short term? Getting whole new sets of windows for the whole house will cost a fortune.

I think I know the answer already. *Sad face*

 

[Pickman's model]

((((ATOMIC SUPLEX))))

 

[mauvais]

Did you have it fitted? When was it fitted?

 

[StoneRoad]

If they were "commercial" products / installed - are they out of warranty ? because that sounds like a manufacturing or installation fault in that the edge seal has been damaged.

 

[Poi E]

At least it's not winter. All of ours are fucked and can't afford to fix them, so it's been another bloody cold winter. I guess do one at a time if it's just the panes. They can be removed and new units installed. You could probably do it yourself.

 

[cupid_stunt]

Sounds like the seals have gone, I am assuming they are out of warranty & therefore fairly old.

I know repairs can be carried out, but I guess that option is only worth looking into if they are otherwise in good condition.

*goes for a quick google*

If the uPVC units are in good condition, you may just be able to replace the sealed units. There are now a number of specialist companies which can repair or recondition each faulty unit.

In most cases, the process involves drilling a hole into the ‘spacer’ bar or glass pane unit. A special drying agent or desiccant is then pumped or injected in to dry out the air or expel the condensation within the unit. An anti-fogging agent is sometimes used to prevent the build-up of any further moisture before the unit is completely sealed again.

If you are considering a repair as opposed to a replacement, it is important to remember that the seal’s failure is the most likely cause of the issue. Resealing will solve the problem, but may not actually address the core issue. Before undertaking a repair, think about whether the benefits and their expected life cycle will fully justify the expense involved.

How to prevent and deal with condensation in double glazing | EYG

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

Did you have it fitted? When was it fitted?

They were here before I moved in and we have been here 12 years.

They don't look in great nick.
I also need two sides of my house re rendered and loads of other things suddenly going wrong that don't look cheap.

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

Sounds like the seals have gone, I am assuming they are out of warranty & therefore fairly old.

I know repairs can be carried out, but I guess that option is only worth looking into if they are otherwise in good condition.

*goes for a quick google*

Humm that seems like a short term solution. No companies that I went to gave me that option. I don't think it's something I can handle myself.

 

[cupid_stunt]

Humm that seems like a short term solution. No companies that I went to gave me that option. I don't think it's something I can handle myself.

Well as you say, in the post above, "they don't look in great nick", I don't think I would go down that route.

At the risk of sounding like I am trying to teach you to suck eggs, assuming you have one, have you thought/looked into a mortgage draw-down to get all the work done? That's usually an option, and far cheaper than other finance options.

 

[mauvais]

They were here before I moved in and we have been here 12 years.

They don't look in great nick.
I also need two sides of my house re rendered and loads of other things suddenly going wrong that don't look cheap.

Expected lifetime seems to be around 15-20 years.

You could look to see if there's any schemes to help, but I wouldn't be too hopeful. A lot of the 'green deal' stuff is gone now.

 

[maomao]

I have one window that's been like that for five years and another for three. They need replacing obviously but it's not mega urgent.

 

[a_chap]

*goes for a quick google*

There are now a number of specialist companies which can repair or recondition each faulty unit.

In most cases, the process involves drilling a hole into the ‘spacer’ bar or glass pane unit.

You CANNOT do that if the unit has toughened / safety glass. Drilling into toughened glass will shatter it. None of those types of window repair company will even try fixing a sealed unit made with safety glass.

If the glass has this kite mark on it then it's safety glass:

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

You CANNOT do that if the unit has toughened / safety glass. Drilling into toughened glass will shatter it. None of those types of window repair company will even try fixing a sealed unit made with safety glass.

If the glass has this kite mark on it then it's safety glass:

That's a no then.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Daughter was skateboarding in the house, the board went wild and smashed a bunch of windows, is what you tell your insurance...

 

[WouldBe]

You might be able to get them replaced by the council who can then put a charge on your house so you don't need to pay it back until you sell the house.

 

[Throbbing Angel]

You might be able to get them replaced by the council who can then put a charge on your house so you don't need to pay it back until you sell the house.

What? Is that a thing?

 

[WouldBe]

What? Is that a thing?

Yes. It is round here anyways (Derbyshire). They can do other repairs/ improvement work as well. May be conditions to meet. At least it's worth asking.

 

[Throbbing Angel]

HmmHnmm. Interesting. Never heard of it. I work for a council, not in this kind of area, though. Probably Home Improvements Agency related.

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

The what now? Never heard about that sort of thing.
I've seen a few things on facebook about getting government subsidy's for windows, but I was skeptical so looked it up and it was a scam of sorts.

 

[teuchter]

Getting whole new sets of windows for the whole house will cost a fortune.

I think you may have already realised this but you don't necessarily have to replace the whole windows - just the glazing units. Most PVC windows have a bead on the inside or outside that levers out: this then releases the glazing unit, you put a new one of the same dimensions back in, and then press the bead back in.

Still not exactly cheap but a lot less expensive than replacing the whole window because there's not really any messy builderswork involved.

One thing I've never quite got a full answer to is how much extra heat loss results from a blown seal. I think that especially for older glazing it is not that much. The more significant issue is that they gradually get dirty with algae and stuff on the inside that you can't clean off.

For 20 year old windows it might be that replacing the glazing with good modern units results in a better insulated window that saves you some money in the long term...however probably not enough to actually offset the cost in itself in a way that is any use to you.

I have some blown units... probably similar age windows... every so often another one joins the list. I have put off replacing them so far.