When you’re shopping for a new home, it’s important to look for potential problems that could make the home you’re considering a poor investment or a “money pit”. One of the places you can look to identify trouble is around the windows. Knowing the signs of a problem can help you make a smart decision before making an offer on a property.
Single pane windows used to be very common, but are less so now because they’re so energy inefficient. You can’t even buy single pane windows for homes anymore. If the home you’re thinking about purchasing has single pane windows, you could find yourself replacing them soon after making your purchase. If you don’t you could be looking at very high utility bills and an uncomfortable home. Keep this in mind when you’re making your offer.
Water stains can be found around windows for many reasons. Sometimes, water stains are an indication that the windows in the home have been gathering condensation. Other times, water stains are signs of a leak, which can occur if the windows are poorly installed or poor-fitting. Some window stains are just a sign that the windows were left open during a rainstorm. Point this out to the home inspector who inspects the house. The home inspector may be able to make an educated guess about the cause of the window stains.
Faded flooring and upholstery are a sign that the windows in a home aren’t sufficiently blocking UV rays. This may mean the windows are single pane, or at the very least, the windows are not equipped with energy efficient glass with coatings to block UV rays. Either way, they may need to be replaced to protect your furnishings.
Drafts and hot spots in rooms can be a sign of a poorly functioning HVAC system, but could also be a sign of poor fit in the windows. Good weatherstripping may be able to remediate this problem, or may not.
Poorly maintained wood framed windows may need to be repaired and repainted, or replaced, shortly after buying the house. This can be a chore and an expense. In addition, if the home has old wooden window frames with chipping paint, there’s a good chance that some of the paint on the windows contains lead. Lead paint is dangerous for everyone, but is a particular concern if you live in a house with children. It can also be expensive to remediate.
Single and double hung windows often have springs or spiral balances inside them that keep the windows open without needing support. Older double hung windows have weights that ride in an uninsulated pocket of the window frame. If the windows need to be propped open with books or other object, this means the window needs repair.
If you just bought a house and it’s in need of replacement windows, contact a reputable window dealer and installer to get the job done. Contact Renewal by Andersen of New Jersey and New York Metro, use the toll-free number (866) 609-5033 or fill out the short form on this page to schedule your free window consultation.
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