Double glazing is only as good as the current quality of the installation. If the quality of any element of the unit has begun to deteriorate in some fashion, you’re going to see a significant drop in performance pretty quickly. The most obvious and noticeable damage to a double glazed installation is going to be the glass chipping or cracking. You’ll see this one pretty quickly, although it can be a little sneaky, so make sure you check for any chips regularly as they can quickly lead to cracks, and a chip is a lot easier to fix than a crack.

seals replacement

The other problem, more common and less easy to spot, is the rubber seal that surrounds the glass installation. Connecting it to the frame has started to fail. The real failing is when a unit has ceased to be an effective insulator and is the point when condensation can start to appear between the two panes of glass. Condensation appearing is a clear indication that the seal has failed. Luckily replacing the seal is one of the easier methods of ensuring that your window remains in good working order.

Replacing your double glazing seal is surprisingly simple but is generally best handled by a professional. There is also an argument that replacing the seal alone is only putting off the inevitable replacement of the entire unit. A broken seal, particularly one that has begun to cause condensation in the window, can indicate that the window itself has reached the end of its natural lifespan. This is probably common in double glazing installations that were installed in the first major wave of double glazing back in the late 1980s to the early 2000s. uPVC installations, particularly installed during this time, will likely be reaching the point of needing replacing.

When attempting to replace the seal yourself, you must be certain of your capability to do it. If you’re not sure, we recommend hiring a professional. Doing any DIY activity without proper knowledge, tools or materials threatens to cause more harm than good. You could end up hurting yourself or damaging your property. Whilst initially it may seem like a money-saving measure, you may end up having to spend more money than you were planning in the first place, repairing the damage caused by the misuse of tools.

However, if you feel ready and prepared to take on the challenge, replacing the seal on your double glazed window is one of the simpler DIY repairs you can do! We’ve created a simple step by step guide that you can follow to get you through the process. Remember to make sure you have all of the right materials and equipment before you get started and that you feel confident to undertake the project.

Step 1:

Remove the rubber seal. This part is pretty easy, and you shouldn’t worry too much about the old seal since you’re going to through it out anyway, but taking it all out in one go instead of pulling it to pieces will certainly make it easier to make sure that you’ve pulled the whole thing out, rather than having left bits in.

You’ll want to pinch part of the seal. The middle at the bottom is generally best, and pull it off equally in both directions. If you’re having trouble, use a Stanley knife to get underneath it and get a better grip. Once you’ve got enough grip, just pull away, and it should come off pretty cleanly.

Step 2:

Once you’ve got the seal out, you’ll want to check that you haven’t left any bits of it in the window. Take a look at the seal and if any of it is broken or torn, then make sure no pieces got left behind during the removal.

You’ll also want to check that there are no other obstructions in the frame, such as melted uPVC or dirt, as these will make it difficult for your window to seal properly. Chip away at these to remove them before installing the new seal, and make sure your rubber seal can move around in its slot.

Step 3:

Once you’re sure that you’ve got the slot clear and the window is ready, start in the corner and insert the seal. It’s probably best to start with one of the top corners, as this will save you trying to balance the seal when you get up to them. Work your way along with the window frame, pushing the seal into place as you go.

Step 4:

Repeat step 3, fitting all the corners and sides of the rubber seal into the frame.

Step 5:

Once everything is in, check it over and make sure everything fits properly and there aren’t any gaps or oddities with the installation. If you’re happy, you’re done!

Replacing your window seal will help keep your double glazing installation in good working order. The seal breaking is often the first sign that the window is entering its latter stages in life, and replacing the seal can be a good way to save yourself replacing the entire unit for the time being.

Here at Double Glazing on the Web, we make sure that our customers all understand everything there is to know about their double glazing installations so that they know what to do when they’re failing and what to buy when they’re looking.

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