How to Dry Double Pane Windows
Moisture and dirt can get trapped inside double pane windows when there is a broken seal. The seal around traditional double pane windows becomes old and will peal away from the window and frame with age. You can, however, dry these windows by taking them apart, cleaning them and placing the panes back in the window sash.
Things You'll Need
- Flathead screwdriver
- Putty knife
- Hand vacuum
- 1 cup isopropyl alcohol
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Hair dryer
- Clear silicone
- 3 towels
- Putty
- Utility knife
- Prepare a surface for the windows you will be removing by placing a clean towel on a flat surface such as a table.
- Soften the compound around the window frame by slowly moving a hair dryer over the compound.
- Use your putty knife to gently loosen the compound between the window and the frame.
- Pull the compound away from the window.
- Find the glazier points. These are small metal pieces that hold the glass window in place.
- Using a flathead screwdriver, pry the window pane out of the frame at the glazier points, removing the spacer also.
- Place the window pane on the clean towel you prepared in step one.
- Clean the spacer with a putty knife. You will be using this spacer again.
- Vacuum the window frame thoroughly to remove any dust and dirt.
- Mix the isopropyl alcohol, water and vinegar and pour into the spray bottle.
- Spray the mixture onto the window pane and spacer and wipe with a clean rag until all smudges and dirt are gone.
- Dry the glass with your hair dryer turned on low until all moisture is gone.
- Apply the silicone to the spacer.
- Press the spacer onto the glass and apply slight pressure until the spacer attaches securely to the window.
- Run a bead of silicone on the window where the spacer and glass meet.
- Allow the silicone to cure by placing a towel over the window and let set for one day.
- Remove the towel and place a thin layer of putty around the window channel and press the pane into it.
- Replace your glazier points in their original places.
- Tap the glazier points down into the wood with the handle of your putty knife.
- Clean off any putty that squeezed outside the frame with a putty knife.
- Run a generous bead of silicone into the frame. Make sure you get the corners and the edges of the window pane.
- Cut off any extra putty with the putty knife.
- Using your fingers, apply slight pressure to smooth out the silicone and create a tight seal.