How to repair mobile home windows

Question

Between the glass and the frame is the caulking ( or whatever it is called).  Ours has disintegrated because of the sun and the heat in Texas.  Does anyone have any ideas for how to repair this problem?

Janet Pizaro · Answer

You will have to remove the old caulking . Reseal with the proper heat resistant silicon. I suggest going to your local reputable hardware store for purchasing the correct product.

Sandie · Answer

Hubby bought special vinyl caulking.

Terijvelez · Answer

Ours was done with glazing compound, it's like putty to work with. Make sure you get all the old junk out before you do it. Use a putty knife (I found I preferred the one with the hook thing on the end) to squish it in between the glass and frame and then use the edge of the knife to clean it up. It's a bit tricky at first but pretty easy once you get the hang of it. You have to mind the temperature and it can't be raining and wet, that's all on the directions on the back of the tub. The caulking thing may be a newer product, sounds like an easier way to go if that's made for windows! I'd rather play with a caulk gun then the time it took to get it all in the gap and clean it up.

Sue Kiene · Answer

Janet is right. Caulking tends to get old and disintegrate especially in heat or up where I live heat then cold. This is not a hard fix and you will get another benefit, keeping bugs out. Get some advise from a local 'reputable' hardware store. I am not really talking about the big boxes because the help there do not necessarily have a lot of knowledge. I have a favorite hardware store up here and I can go in there, get lots of help and direction and even an explanation of what I have to do because many of their employees are retired from the trades. They are amazing! You can do it!!!

Lynda · Answer

Hi, I also have a mobile/manufactured home over 20yrs old.  We live in florida.
If the caulking is old and terrible, like ours was, you are cooling and heating the outside.  In Fl. most only have single pane windows which is awful!  So after much thought and procrastrination, I decided to put all new double pane single hung and tinted window in our home.  I just can't believe the diff. when keeping the inside cool in our awful heat and humidity.  I am paying for 3 years but I don't care as I am sooo pleased!

Mary · Answer

Shirley, it's called glazing compound.  As it ages it gets brittle.  We too had that problem and regular waterproof caulk works as does silicone caulk.  We have remodeled 2 mobile homes.  Best of luck in your repairs!

Jennie Lee · Answer

I don't think you're dealing with glazing compound. Are the windows removable? They're not wood frames, are they? Are the frames around the glass plastic, or aluminum? If they're plastic, is THAT what has deteriorated, or is it a strip of rubber-like substance between the glass and the plastic frame? It sounds like you have windows that are made like aluminum-framed screens. The rubber strip, if it were a screen, would be called a spline. I'm not sure what it's called in a storm window, but it's the same idea. If I were you, I'd write down how many windows you need to fix, and roughly how big each is. Then I'd take one small window to a glass and mirror repair shop. Ask for an estimate for fixing all your bad windows. If you can't afford it, consider fixing them in stages, the worst ones first. If you can't afford their help at all, take the window and what you've learned to some place like Lowe's, and find out about fixing it yourself. It shouldn't be too bad. Buy just a minimum of supplies to try one window first, if you feel unsure about it. I wish you good luck!

Lynda · Answer

Hi shirley.  We are 75.  I wish you welll
  Have a prof. Recaulk your windows.

Sue Kiene · Answer

Looks like there is an Ace Hardware in the same town where you are but from the reviews I looked at for Ford and Crew Home and Hardware in Marble Falls they sound like a place I would want to check out. I would not recommend plastic at all due to your heat but you might be able to find some of silicone or comparable stripping that might work.

Shirley · Answer

Just do it.

B. Enne · Answer

Rope caulk is great , easy to install, and has withstood the test of time when other products have come and gone. You don't need any special tools, not even a caulking gun! There are different brands and it is not very expensive: Mortite, Duck, Frost King. It is available at any hardware or big box store.

Karen · Answer

You may want to check out this site. Has alot of good info for mobile home repairs...http://www.mobilehomerepairtips.com/

Valerie Keating Zink · Answer

I guess I am lucky. Mine is 23 years old but I have double glazed windows. Each pane has its own frame. a storm broke one of them so I took the frame to a glass place and the replace the glass for me. Texas weather is brutal on the outside of these houses.

How to repair mobile home windows

Suggested Project Book

15 Christmas Decor Ideas You Won't Have to Take Down

Other

More

How to repair mobile home windows

Suggested Project Book