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Window Replacement Assessments

Most windows need replacing because they leak or are worn out. When they leak, not only do your heating and air conditioning bills go up, but the chances for water in the wall cavity increase significantly, from condensation, rain or melting snow. That moisture intrusion takes a toll by rotting the structure of the home and creating a mold-growing environment in the wall cavity under the window.

Windows Replacement Assessment for Leaky Windows - CMT

Unfortunately, during the replacement window sales presentation, few if any sales reps will talk to you about potential damages in the walls because they don’t want to disrupt the sale. If you don’t ask about it, most won’t go there for fear of losing the sale.

Just simply replacing a window will not repair the damage created by the old window. You don’t want hidden, unseen, expensive damage surprises on such a large investment. You need to know what the full costs are if structural repairs or mold abatement is needed.. Call us for an accurate, unbiased moisture assessment prior to replacing your windows.

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  • Healthy Home Services

  • Our suite of healthy home services include the following:
  • Air Movement and Conditioning Analysis
  • Ice Dam Causes
  • Attic Air Leakage & Ventilation Analysis
  • Blower Door Code Compliance
  • Energy Loss Analysis
  • Ductwork Code Compliance
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Why we test for moisture

Commonly Asked Questions

The most financially impactful concern is knowledge of hidden damages in the walls below the window being replaced. Windows fail for many reasons and allow for water to drain into the wall cavity below the window, destroying the structure of the home and leaving a moldy mess. Having a “moisture probe test” conducted will tell you if problems exist and allow you to understand the FULL cost of the window replacement.
The surprise will be when the old window is removed, and damage is found. This stops everything except temporarily installing the new window. Depending on the extent of the damages, it can add significant cost to the window installation, not to mention the time and mess required to make the repair. Probe testing will save you big bucks.
The window replacement will be sized to fit inside of the window rough opening. A retrofit window fits inside of the old window frame. Using the old frame should only be used if it is proven to not leak. Moisture probe testing must be conducted prior to using an old window frame.
Windows that leak, will leak into the walls of any home. Stucco clad homes suffer from lack of drying ability. If a window leaks water into the wall cavity, the wall cavity may not dry out before the next wetting, maintaining a perfect climate for rotting wood. Stucco Probe Testing is a must before replacing windows on stucco clad homes.
We conducted a survey of 2,000 homes we had tested and found over 40% of the 26,000 tested windows had moisture intrusion and/or damages below the windows. The older the home the higher the percentage of windows that were found to have failed.
Deterioration or damage to the wall is caused by fungus and or molds. From the exterior, the damages need to be chased and fully exposed, the cause of the water intrusion understood, all contaminated material either removed or replaced and the entire wall cavity cleaned with a microbial and sealed before being rebuilt. We recommend probe testing before the 1st year warranty expires on any repairs made to a home to determine if the repairs are functioning.
Water enters walls through joint failures, cracks, holes or breaks in the window frame. Water also intrudes around the exterior edge of the window frame top to bottom. Other causes are condensation draining into the rough opening, flashing that is inadequate, accent bands and trim boards not installed properly, just to name a few.
Yes, you can replace the window and that might stop the moisture, but the damage the old window caused, rot and mold, will still be there festering and growing in the wall during periods of high humidity. Removing and rebuilding all damaged material, and cleaning with a microbial/biocide goes a long way in keeping a home “healthy”.
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Preserve and protect your property today!

You can’t always see what’s damaging your home. The longer a problem remains hidden, the more frustrating and costlier it becomes. Get to the bottom of it, before it gets to your bottom line.

651-272-5552