Tips to Replace a Broken Window Pane All by Yourself

A mischievous baseball or a hurled stone lands on your windowpane and slashes its life. This type of accidents are very common and houseowners have to face it every now and then. If you have the modern double-glazed windows at home, then there is no other alternative than calling the local glass repairer to show up at your address. But, if you have those old-fashioned single-glazed panes that are built on wooden framework, you do not need to call professional help.

Read on to learn how to replace window pane in your home all by yourself and earn appreciations from your family and friends.

• Step 1: As the first step, take out the window sash and place it on a workbench. This will make your task much easier. Slip on gloves and safety glasses and then, cover the broken window pane with a rag. Use a hammer to gently tap the center of the pane to let the loosen fragments fall out. Use your glove-covered hand to remove any piece that is trapped in the putty. While doing this, remove the existing layer of putty as well.
• Step 2: Expert from a reputed glazing company in London suggests to use a painter’s tool to remove the putty. You may use a heat gun to remove the tinier fragments that still hold on. Before applying the heat gun, cover the adjacent panes with sheets of aluminum foil to save them from cracking from the heat. Use a sharp pointed tool to scrap away the warm putty.
• Step 3: Scrap the rabbets with sandpaper to expose the bare wood. Provide a coat of primer on the bare wood so that it does not cut short the putty’s life by drawing the oil out of it. Wait for the paint to dry and then, knead substantial quantity of putty into the rabbets. Make sure, the putty fills up the space on rabbets completely. If you’re worried about neatness at this stage, experienced glaziers in London suggest to ignore it.
• Step 4:Now, place the new glass pane into the putty by applying even pressure, using all your finger tips. Continue applying pressure on the pane till it holds firmly on the putty. If you detect any hollowness appearing under the glass, pull out the pane to add more putty and start all over again. As an amateur, you may have to apply trial and error method in taking the exact quantity of putty required for the operation.
• Step 5: Take a handful of putty and knead it into a rope of about a quarter inch in diameter. Place the rope along the glass edges and push it firmly against the rabbets with your hands. Make sure, there is an unbroken string of putty around all the edges of the pane. Place the putty’s knife blade at an angle of 45 degrees to the glass and run it on the putty rope to give it a smooth appearance.

According to experts from an emergency glass company, the tips given above, also prove helpful to replace the old putty with new one, when the glass itself remains intact.