Foggy Windows - Broken Window Seals

[ZMonet]

We have a large number of double-pane windows in our house.  Unfortunately a number of these windows have failing seals, which is causing the windows to get foggy.  The window seals appear to be some sort of greyish putty, which has melted and broken the seal (other windows, which seem to be more effective, have what looks to be a metal seal).  In researching, it appears that this is much more of an aesthetic issue than an energy loss issue.  Still, it is very unsightly and less than ideal when we go to eventually sell our house (not to mention for us right now).  The crazy thing is that the house was built in 2003 so the windows are not that old.  The windows likely would have been under warranty if we were the original owners, but we're not and the original owners would not get involved even if asked.  I've had the glass on a few of the windows replaced, but it is getting way too expensive. 

I wanted to know if anyone has had any success in removing the double pane windows, separating the panes, cleaning the panes and then putting the windows back together with a new seal.  In the alternative, has anyone used any of these services that drill a small hole in the window to vent the window?

Any and all help appreciated.

[hoodedfalcon]

I have a similar problem and am interested in reading any responses.

[Spork]

I can't say I know this for certain, but I'm pretty sure it's not a DIY thing.  Normally the layer between the 2 windows isn't "air" -- it is something inert like Argon.  You have to have some method to evacuate the existing gases in between the panes and replace it with argon.

Maybe that's DIY'able by something clever... Initially I don't see it.

[velocistar237]

Both panes come sealed together as a unit. Searching Youtube for "replace double pane glass" turns up some hits on how to do the replacement, like this one. I'd like to know where to buy these.

[Spork]

Both panes come sealed together as a unit. Searching Youtube for "replace double pane glass" turns up some hits on how to do the replacement, like this one. I'd like to know where to buy these.

I had made the assumption that the OP had done this enough that he was tired of it and was looking for a DIY way to repair the unit.

[madage]

I'd like to know where to buy these.

Call around to glass companies. You might be surprised and find some person/company who will do the install for only marginally more than the cost of the glass itself.

[ZMonet]

I realize that the gas has left the window, but from what I've been reading it sounds like the gas leaves the window very quickly anyway (even when you don't see signs of the broken seal).  I was interested in knowing if there was any way to not have to spend money on glass, etc. and just clean the existing glass (a whopping 10 years old) and reseal.  Seems like a waste to just throw the unit away and purchase all new glass.  Also, in my case each one of the windows has a grill sandwhiched between each window.

[velocistar237]

Ah, I see. Mine are cracked.

Could you purge the moisture by careful heating? If you do that in a room with low humidity, then seal it somehow, that could work.

[Spork]

I think it has to be purged, then replaced with a noble gas.

[ZMonet]

The other issue is that after the windows fog up, apparently there is some etching that occurs on the interior side of the window.  This needs to be cleaned out.  It looks like the places that drill a hole in the window and vent, also squirt a fluid in the window to remove/wash out the etching.

[GoStumpy]

Yeah, this is not a DIY thing.

Like was said, once the fog is there, it isn't going to dissapear completely, there will always be a film unless the pane is removed and cleaned inside & out.

The seal that holds the two panes isn't just a putty, different companies use different things, but it definitely has to be airtight and hold itself together, urethane is often used by DIY Glass companies to rebuild sealed units... but they do not fill the void with argon, so they will fail much sooner and not provide as good of insulation.

Windows should last 10-20+ years before failing, get good windows, get them done professionally, and you won't have to worry.  If you try to fix them yourself, I'd bet $ they'll fail again within a year or two :(

[paddedhat]

As a builder and remodeler, I have dealt with this on occasion. Every decently sized metro area in colder parts of the continent has glass shops that can manufacture replacement insulated glass units. The local shop here is remarkably reasonable IF you do the leg work. You carefully disassemble the frame, remove the IG unit and take it in to be used as a template. They build a new unit to the exact dimensions and thickness. You then pop it back in. My painter had done several jobs where he walked away with a few thousand in his pocket, for a couple of days of easy work,  and the homeowners though he was a god. He will replace all the fogged  IG glass in a 25 year old home for a reasonable fee, which tends to be less than a third of what the "replacement window vultures" want to do the work. He makes a good buck, the job is done right, and everybody is happy. Nobody is going to pull off rebuilding the IG units as a DIY project, but it's still quite doable to replace them yourself. My lawyer is a middle aged lady. She got a quote of $400 a window to do repairs. She told the guy to piss off, and did everything for about $150 a window, all by herself.

[GoStumpy]

Truth, the actual replacement of the windows is definitely a possible DIY project, I'm currently replacing all my double-storm windows with sealed units, and I paid ~$280 for my last biggest window, probably ~$1400 to do all the windows in my house... it would have been a $4-$5000 job if I just got a company to come in and do all the legwork.

But I wouldn't ever think of rebuilding a sealed unit myself!  Even though I "could", I know it would fail again within a couple years.

[ZMonet]

Thanks everyone.  Looks like I need to start looking for a local shop that will do this at a reasonable price.  Might try a couple out and then, when we get to fall and weather isn't as much an issue, bring in the remainder.  What should I be looking for in terms of a price on standard sized IG unit?  I'm in Maryland if it matters.