This client of mine wanted both int and ext done but failed to say she has double pane windows. The inside of the windows are dirty and the blinds that she wants cleaned are inside the window. Should I come back and charge her for 1 set of windows? Or leave them?
They are venetian blinds in between the panes? If they arenāt disassemble-able, noone is going to get them clean inside. Sounds like the windows have failed. Not much you can do.
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Well its twice the work basically ā¦those Blinds in between can be tough.
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I run into broken seals everyday on double pane windows facing south and west. The seals wear out and crack in the sun, allowing moisture to enter between the panes. These are generally replacements.
Take a look at the corners of the window. If it says Pella, you may have a new-school storm. I heard from someone that you void the warranty if a non-Pella certified tech takes them apart. Same goes with any double pane where latches hold one pane to the framing. I only do them with clients I know very well.
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They sound like the āPella Stormsā as I call 'em, about 12 tabs to pull off the inside pane. Iāve found the easiest way to do 'em is to remove the pane, clean the inside of the outer pane, take the removed pane and flip it around and āreinstallā it in the frame, clean that side, then reinstall it completely and clean the final side.
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That method worked great for me too on the one home I have with 1st gen Pellas. 1st time I took them out and cleaned both sides of the interior storm then reinstalled but it was much easier this time using the method you described. I have 2 with 2nd gen and Im not sure which I like better/worse haha. So far though we are on a 1 yr interior not removing then 2nd year full cleaning. So far so good.
I would disagree with your statement. Double pane seal failure is caused by a breakdown of the glue that holds the glass together not from the sun. There are 2 basic types of glue butyl and silicon. Single seal units fail most often and use only butyl. Double seal units will last much longer with a primary butyl seal and a secondary silicon seal. Most of the seal failure I dealt with as a glazer was from poor drainage at the bottom of the glass unit. The Windows sit in water and the glue rots. Particularly with single seal units. Butyl is an excellent water barrier but a poor mechanical seal. Silicon is an excellent mechanical seal but will seep very small amounts of water vapor. This is why all high quality units use a dual seal system.
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Thank you, that was educational. I just see more visually compromised seals (cracked/fissured), and possibly associated seal rupture due to intense sun exposure. Maybe itās happen-chance.
I was not trying to sound like a jerk but to inform. The fact is that the seals associated with IG seal failure are not even visible without removing the glass stop. What you are seeing cracked is either the glass stop if its on the outside of the IG unit, or the spacer if its between the glass. I have seen the spacers crack many times. cracked spacers do not cause seal failure. Seal failure occurs when the glass separates from the spacer. Primary and secondary IG unit seals are not exposed to sunlight but hidden behind the frame.
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Word. I wasnāt being facetious in my previous comment. All of what you are saying is somewhat new to me, and 100% valuable education I just noticed a trend in which ones blow, but maybe Iām wrong? Iāll be stopping by a glass shop near my home when I have a minute to see if theyād give me a tour and explain things hands-on. Thanks Patrick!
Save yourself a trip to the shop.
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Thanks for that. I had no idea a dessicant was used to adsorb moisture in less than arid conditions. Perhaps older double panes are not as sophisticated?
