Think of window sills as you think about your wooden, water-susceptible floors. In the same slowly deteriorating, lifting fashion, window sills can become virtually useless. Sills exist to properly block out stray water, both at the time of a weather event and over time. So, what happens when they’re stripped of their durability? Water begins to seep beneath the cracks, slowly tearing apart years of sealant, expert installation, and preventative maintenance.
Your windows’ sills will convey signs of deterioration through more than just aesthetics, presenting a need for larger, intentionally executed repairs. If you notice that the wood lining your windows appears to be falling off the hinges, curling, or presenting openings for water to easily slide through, contact a professional window sill water damage restoration service such as us at Dry Force. Addressing these concerns early will guarantee a lower-cost restoration process.
Causes of Water Damage on Window Sills
For effective restoration, understanding why and how water comes into contact with your window sills is imperative. Water can infiltrate the duration of a wooden window sill, allowing for moisture to create compromising depth. Rotting, discoloration, and cracks can all be attributed to these cryptic examples of water damage:
1. Moisture Exposure: Whether it be from rain or ice, moisture can slide between open areas of sealed windows, creating a need for moisture extraction. If windows carry an excessive amount of moisture without remediation, you can expect to devote additional time, effort, and costs to restoring their functionality.
2. Poor Drainage: Think of a malfunctioning gutter amid a raging, large-scale storm. You’d want them to effectively funnel water away from your home so no drop can make its way inside. When your window sills cannot effectively ward off water due to an opening or lack of sealant, they will soak up the water as a way of harnessing its power.
3. Pest Infestation: When it comes to internal damage, those of you in pest-prone areas such as coastal or subtropical regions need to be aware of how pests can impact your home or business’ window sills. These small, burrowing critters can create significant holes within these wooden structures, causing your protective barrier against water to slowly open up.
4. Lack of Regular Maintenance: Window sills require a series of exponential maintenance to uphold the level of durability they need to be effective. You can employ a series of preventive procedures at home, such as examining the sealant or taking note of cracks. If you feel your window sills require a professional examination, contact us at Dry Force for an immediate inspection.
Signs Your Window Sills Are Suffering From Water Damage
In addition to the obvious signs of deterioration, such as discoloration or aging, windows can suffer from cryptic forms of damage. Micro evidence of water damage can come in many forms, from peeling paint to softened, structurally weak wood panels. Examine the condition of your window sills by simply laying a hand on them or inspecting them with an intentional eye for these signs of water damage:
- Peeling Paint or Cracking Caulk
- Wood Swelling Around the Window Sill
- Soft or Crumbling Wood
- Wood Discoloration
- Fungus or Mold Growth
Assessing the Damage to Your Window Sill
A professional assessment of your window sill’s damage is necessary to determine the most effective restoration solution. Professional assessments go where the untrained eye cannot, spotting early signs of damage before they gain time to develop. With a certified inspection by a professional restoration service such as us at Dry Force, you’ll gain a clear understanding of what your unique situation requires for a clear, damage-free future:
Inspect the Window Sill For Visible Damage
Maybe the most accessible form of damage detection—searching the duration of your window sills for visible damage—can pin down what areas require substantial restoration. Discoloration in window sills manifests as a damaging yellow or brown coloring. These colors appear in rotten, moisture-excessive, or aging wood.
Another easy-to-spot sign of water damage is peeling or cracked caulk. When the caulk that makes up sills absorbs an influx of moisture, it begins to crack, impacting other components present in its path, such as paint. When paint begins to exhibit peeling or lifting, this signifies that voluminous water is compiled beneath the surface. Remediate these aesthetic issues by seeking out a professional water extraction service.
Lastly, you can examine the water intake of your window sills by simply touching their surface. If you notice a soft, wet feeling throughout the perimeter of the sills, you will need an immediate restoration surface to effectively reclaim their functionality. Soft to the touch wood signifies a rotting structure, so attend to this type of damage with speed.
Occasionally, window sills can require a larger service than a simple repair. If prolonged damage has completely claimed the effectiveness of your window sills, consider a replacement service as a way of lowering costs. At Dry Force, we offer window sill replacement services built to restore the entirety of water-damaged window sills with ease.
Identify the Underlying Cause
The central theme of any water-damaged window sill is always an unprecedented amount of water exposure. This is the catalyst for integral, unwanted changes in how your window sills can protect you, your family, and your home from internal water damage. Underlying issues are easier to spot when you realize how visual they are, from holes, scrapes, and peels lining the perimeter of wooden sills. Examine every sill for these hidden causes of water damage:
- Water Intrusion
- Poor Drainage
- Insect Infestation
Window Sill Repair Tips and Techniques
Water-doused window sills demand an intentional effort in restoration. Although some window sills require immediate, professional attention, here are the three main repair tips and techniques that will help you kick-start the process:
Remove Damaged Wood From Water Damaged Window Sill
Extracting the source of the water intrusion will immediately relieve your windows from the weight of water damage. Remove the damaged pieces of wood from the exterior border to reveal a clean, water-free foundation for a wood replacement. Either conducted professionally or at home, removing the decaying pieces of wood from a sill allows for positive restoration progression.
Fill and Patch Rotted Areas
Another way to remove damage without completely taking apart your window sill’s construction is to fill and patch rotted areas. You can effectively fill or patch rotted, decaying, or open-faced areas by applying an epoxy wood filler inside the impacted areas. This will both close the gap between the wood and lingering water and push out existing moisture.
Reinforce the Window Sill
For cracks requiring a larger restoration effort, you can create man-made holes to widen the area for nail insertion. Drilling a large nail into a crack acts as a sealant, closing off the crack from becoming bigger or taking on runaway water. Don’t forget to seal in the nail with the same epoxy wood filler used for filling rotted areas! This will guarantee a long shelf life for the nail effectively.
DIY: How to Repair Your Window Sill
The materials, expertise, and hands required to properly repair a window sill may be holding you back from any restoration effort. Before you invest in a professional window sill repair and restoration service, try your hand at reviving the condition of your window sills at home with these comprehensive steps:
1. Prepare Your Work Area: Make your workspace open enough to allow for full motion. Clear the area of unnecessary, inhibiting objects or structures for optimal nailing, extraction, and removal. Your safety should be your highest priority in any at-home project, so make sure your space is safe for successful restoration.
2. Remove Damaged Wood: Effectively remove damaged, rotting, or deteriorated wood at the source. Use a pry bar or a hammer to forcefully remove the damaged wood from the window base. This will instantly take your window sills from aesthetically and structurally challenged structures to clean, repair-ready slates. If you don’t have any power tools on hand, this can be done with multiple sets of hands.
3. Fill & Patch: Using the same epoxy wood fillers mentioned previously, fill in open cracks or holes. Make sure you insert enough filler to cover the depth of the hole, as the loose filler will simply hang in the balance. Once you’ve filled the holes, scrape down the filler to patch and close any openings.
4. Reinforce to Avoid Future Window Sill Water Damage: As an all-in-one preventative measure, reinforce the window sill with a heavy-duty nail. Similarly to filling and patching, reinforcing a wooden window sill with a nail can seal out future water damage simply by closing an opening. Reinforce the power of your window sill’s structural integrity by nailing it shut.
5. Sand, Clean & Paint: For the finishing aesthetic touches, sand over the nailed, filled, or patched areas for a fresh look. Clean the reinstated spots with a damp cloth to wipe away dust compiled from sanding. Then, paint over the sill(s) to restore the original look and feel your windows retained pre-water damage.
Expert Window Sill Water Damage Repair by Dry Force
When it comes to your home’s windows, we know you want the best care possible. As your trusted water damage restoration experts, we’re here to help, especially when time calls for a quick fix. While DIY solutions may seem tempting, professional repairs ensure long-lasting results. Our team at Dry Force specializes in window sill repairs from water damage, using advanced methods and tools to get the job done right the first time. For cost-effective, expert service, contact Dry Force today!