How To Spot Stained Glass Damage On Your Fort Worth Home’s Stained Glass

How To Spot Damage In Your Fort Worth Home’s Stained Glass Windows

In Fort Worth and across the country, the 100-year mark for much of the stained glass is nearing. This is about the time that stained glass, barring any problems due to accidental breakage or shoddy craftsmanship, will need repair or restoration. If you own an older home in Fort Worth area and you have stained glass windows, it may be time to have your glass restored by a professional. However, just because your stained glass is old, does not necessarily mean it needs to be restored but it does mean you should take a closer look at it and see if the telltale signs of needing restoration are present. Below are some signs to look for on the stained glass windows in your Fort Worth home to tell if it may be in need or repair or just a good cleaning.

Look For Deterioration On Your Stained Glass

What most people don’t realize is that stained glass is pretty durable material and relatively immune to natural deterioration from normal aging. American glass is exceptionally stable because of the composition of the glass but this does not mean the glass cannot be damaged over time or be tarnished by natural elements. Some very apparent signs the stained glass in your home needs repair are scratches, chips, and abrasions–which also reduce clarity. Also, chemical agents and smog also build up on your glass–making it look old and dingy over time–if you glass looks cloudy, this is probably why. Other signs of deterioration are things like tiny cracks or chips. Of course, broken panels are a pretty clear sign of deterioration need to be dealt with promptly because they can lead to the break down of the entire structure. If your stained glass has broken glass or missing panels, it is absolutely time to have it restored, because more damage is right around the corner

Look For Structural Deterioration On Your Stained Glass

The most common way leaded stained glass breaks down, requiring it to be repaired, is through the skeletal structure that holds the glass in place. This is when the frame itself or the leaded caming holding the pieces of glass together is rotting, deteriorating or sagging. When frames are approaching total failure they look bent or saggy, meaning you need to fix it right away lest it collapse. When caming starts to fail, you will see missing, bent or broken pieces and likely cracking on the glass near or connected to the frame. This type of damage absolutely needs to be taken care of right away because the stained glass in this condition could easily fall out from simple a strong wind or vibration.

Look For Signs Your Stained Glass Is Dirt Or Needs Cleaning

Even though stained glass typically needs repairs about ever 100 years sometimes very old stained glass, is perfectly fine and just needs a deep and thorough cleaning by a professional. Luckily this is a relatively inexpensive procedure and which will take it back to its original shine. The reason stained glass gets so dirty is environmental; soot and grime build up on both sides of the glass from pollution, smoke, and oxidation. The reason it is critical to have a professional stained glass company clean your glass is because aggressive cleaning with the wrong chemicals will cause damage which could permanently affect the glass’s transparency or shine. Regular cleaning is also necessary to avoid build-up of chemicals or air pollutants which could lead to long-term damage as well.

See more about stained glass repair and cleaning in the video below:

https://vimeo.com/262028876

Contact us at Fort Worth Stained Glass to have your stained glass inspected by a true professional today!