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The Glazing Line Replace brittle and defective linseed oil based face putties and bedding for beads with Dry Seal Elastic Glazing Sealant. It will not crack or shrink and will take a paint or stain finish. Effectively seals against moisture reaching the rebates and joints. Easy to apply and can be decorated within 48 hours. We usually find that the horizontal line and 50mm to the vertical line is sufficient.

Open Joints Permanently seal open joints by cutting open hair line (but water absorbent) cracks to a 4mm x 10mm deep slot using our Profi high speed cutter and close it by brushing in Dry Fix (a very thin epoxy resin for firm anchorage) and making good with Dry Flex RP elastic repair compound. Allow to cure and sand off for a closed joint impermeable to moisture. We call this a Conservation Joint and it takes only a few minutes to complete.

Extra Preservation For additional protection where (for example) the joint is vulnerable to moisture ingress from adjoining brickwork or masonry cill, spend a few seconds and fit a Dry Pin Preservative Capsule. If moisture does penetrate the area the preservative within the capsule diffuses with the moisture and gives in-situ treatment to the surrounding area.

Knots A paint finish problem which can be eradicated by taking a minute or two to cut out the surface area of the knot with our Profi, coat with Dry Fix and make good with Dry Flex RP. Sand off and forget the knot problem.

Sharp Edges Often suffering from low paint cover and a cause of peel back. Round off with our special edge cutter to give even paint coverage and overcome the usual paint breakdown in this area.

Decay Repairs For the large areas of wood decay where Full Strength Repairs are required cut away the decayed timber with a Profi and replace with new timber Bedded On A Minimum Of 4mm Of Dry Flex RP or replace with Dry Flex RP Alone. Either will give you full strength repairs at least equal to a mortice and tenon joint and usually a good deal stronger. The repairs will be faster than traditional splicing and the unique Flexibility of Dry Flex RP will ensure that the joint stays closed. Where Dry Flex RP alone is used a cavity of any height and any depth can be repaired in one operation without slumping occurring!

Surface Decay On Hardwood Cills A common problem on double hung sliding sash windows. Often the decay is no more than a few millimetres deep but effectively resists common surface fillers. Simply remove the surface decay back to sound clean timber using the Profi cutter, apply Dry Fix and Dry Flex RP and the problem is solved.

Tools and Equipment We have developed special low priced tools and equipment for the efficient removal of wood decay whilst leaving the sound timber intact. It is even possible to cut around the glass without breakage and it is not necessary to remove aluminium or steel window inserts to effect high quality repairs. See "Set Up Costs".

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PRODUCTS, TOOLS and EQUIPMENT
(New product information will be available on our brand new website coming very soon, in the meantime contact us for technical support or to request an information pack,alternatively, visit www.repair-care.com for up-to-date information. thankyou

Dry Flex (1hour, 4hour, 16 hour)

please click here to visit manufacturers site for information on these exciting new products!

Elastic repair compound in a two part set delivering 400cc or ml when mixed. This repair product combines strength and flexibility and will restore decayed joinery to at least it's original strength including decayed joints. Any size, any height, in one application without slump. Can be moulded to match existing shapes and can be worked with ordinary woodworking tools including planing, drilling, fixings as well as sanding. Suitable for all timber coatings including wood stains. Used for resin-only or resin and timber repairs.

Dry Fix (1hour, 4hour, 16 hour)

please click here to visit manufacturers site for information on these exciting new products!
A two part primer for Dry Flex applied to sound timber into which it penetrates prior to Dry Flex application "wet on wet" ensuring a highly durable bond to the sound fibres of the timber.

Dry Seal Elastic glazing sealant designed to replace linseed oil based putties as it remains flexible and will not embrittle with age.

End Grain Sealer Called Dry Flex SK, a two part brushable sealer for exposed end grain.

Spot Repair Called Dry Flex SR, a two part fast curing repair compound for dealing with minor blemishes in Dry Flex RP and a very effective gluing filler. Sets in 10 minutes and ready for decoration within an hour. Used for break-in repairs and fast splicing.

Boron Rods A means of introducing in-situ preservation to those awkward areas where moisture can have access to the timber via surrounding masonry such as in the bottom corners of frames adjacent to the brickwork. Usually four Boron Rods are installed, one at either end of cill and one in outer frame legs just above cill level. We also have a special drill set for installing Boron Rods which are available in two sizes, 48mm and 65mm.

Mini Profi This machine which runs at 26,000 rpm using a round cutter for decay and a straight cutter for conservation joints enables the operative to remove even deep decay without disturbing the surrounding area or removing glass or glazing inserts. It is available in 110v or 240v versions and is complete with one straight and one round cutter.

Assist Kit This Profi accessory is designed to remove back putties and convert a sharp edge to a pencil round.

Sanding Attachment Converts the Mini Profi into a high speed rotary sander for fine finishing to repairs.

Dosing Pistol For dispensing Dry Flex RP and Spot Repair. The double barrel approach ensures that the correct mixture is delivered to the mixing board.

Mixing Board and Application Knives A Perspex board to ensure clean mixing with various sizes of application knives for applying and moulding. Mixing cup and brush for applying Dry Fix.

Dry Seal Dispensing Gun and Applicator For dispensing and applying Dry Seal Elastic Glazing Compound.

Wood Condition Meter For testing moisture levels and density of timber where cut back for repairs. It is simple to use and works on traffic light basis, green OK, amber borderline and needs a little air drying, red too wet to achieve good adhesion. If the tines push into the timber enough to activate the small plunger the timber is too soft and more should be cut out. Has additional use by Clerks of Works and Surveyors to check conditions for painting.

Window Care Scraper A high quality scraper for use in removing paint from area surrounding repair and for finishing Dry Flex RP when cured.

Health & Safety Products Include Dry Safe barrier cream, gloves and Dry Wipes for cleaning hands and tools.

For Other Products See Price List

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SERVICES BY WINDOW CARE

CPD SEMINARS - SITE INSPECTION SERVICE - SPECIFICATIONS - OPERATIVE TRAINING - LITERATURE

CPD Seminars The best way to learn about our system and approach to the conservation and repair of external joinery is to ask for an in-house TECHNICAL SEMINAR. If you have at least six interested specifiers we will be pleased to arrange a seminar at your own premises.

Part 1 consists of an illustrated talk dealing with the causes of wood decay, the usual remedies adopted and the Window Care Systems solution and approach, including slides showing typical repairs and conservation works.

Part 2 A practical demonstration showing the mixing and application of Dry Flex RP in a resin-only and resin and timber repair, plus a demonstration of the workability of the cured repairs using normal woodworking tools.

Part 3 is a questions and answers session followed by light refreshments (if arranged).

The total time for delegates is about 90 minutes and we offer attendance certificates for professional development purposes for those requiring them.

Site Inspection Reports Another free service from Window Care is our Site Inspection Service. On request we will visit your project and prepare an illustrated report on the condition of external joinery and recommend solutions to the problems encountered.

Specification Writing We have a standard specification in hard copy and on disc which will help to ensure that the correct terms and methods are included in the tender documentation. Available on request from Window Care Anglia.

Site Training Of Operatives Although the system is simple in concept and practice, we believe in training operatives to produce the highest quality repairs and part of our service is to carry out initial training of operatives free of charge to the contractor. Pictured here our National Training Manager is giving a practical demonstration to a room full of architects and surveyors.

Literature Ask for a copy of our Specifiers Information Pack containing all the information you require including a standard specification, price list, sketches of typical repairs, set-up costs, detailed descriptions of the various repair methods, a schedule of rates and much, much more.

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CASE STUDY - Saving A Two Panel Door

This door was considered beyond repair, the bottom rail had serious penetrating decay, the back putties were perished and leaking and the joints were open. The details of the door were non-standard, meaning that a purpose made or "special" replacement would be called for and the glazed panels were of laminated safety glass which added to the expense not to mention time involved. The new door called for by the specification would have cost £313 in June 1995 when the work was carried out. We were sure that not only could the door be saved it could also have a new lease of life which would ensure that it lasted longer than a new door! The following photographs show just how we were able to bring this about and what it cost.

When the door was removed we found that the decay extended all along the bottom rail and into both mortice joints where it had penetrated to the inside face under a kicker plate. Incidentally the problem had been caused by moisture having access to the concrete threshold and in effect filling the gap between the concrete and the bottom rail and penetrating the timber via the end grain of the stiles and the open joint of the bottom rail.

This picture shows a typical open joint between the middle rail and the style, almost always a feature of this type of glazed door. The horizontal shake present in the middle rail is also a popular fault leading to moisture ingress and wood decay. Open joints and split timbers are usually one of the first places where paint breakdown starts. This door opens out and therefore the top joints were also vulnerable to problems adding to the instability of the timber.

It was decided that the best plan of action would be to remove about half of the bottom rail and renew it using the Window Care standard resin and timber method to effect a permanent repair. A jig saw was used to cut through the rail but still leaving a small area of decay in both stiles. This was removed using a Window Care Profi, a specially designed tool for removing wood decay without damaging the sound timber. It is important to remove all decay and any soft or weakened timber during this process. The sound timber should be checked for moisture level using our Wood Condition Meter and a level below 18% is necessary for the best quality repairs. The decorative finish should be removed to at least 10mm beyond the repair to ensure that the repair compound is in full contact with the timber at the edges of the repair. It can be seen from this photograph that good, clean and sound timber has been exposed and this is what should be looked for on a good quality repair.

The next stage was to apply Dry Fix primer to both contact surfaces and leave it to penetrate for about 30 minutes, (longer is fine, but bond with Dry Flex RP within the same day). Dry Flex RP was "buttered" on to the receiving timber ensuring that enough thickness was applied to give a minimum bed of 4mm. The new timber was offered up and pressed into position and lined up to match the existing profile and the excess Dry Flex removed with a spatula and used elsewhere. In this case two locating screws were used as the door was re-hung on the same day (normally no fixings would be necessary on timber and resin repairs). Once the new timber was in position the remaining area of the repair was completed with Dry Flex RP. This material is particularly well suited to timber and resin repairs as it combines flexibility with very high bond strength. The two timbers can move independently but the joint will remain sound. This method of repair is very successful on cill fronts where the repaired two timbers will act as the original one-piece cill and the procedure is exactly the same as described here.

Once the major decay repairs are carried out attention must be paid to what we call conservation works which in this case included open joints and back putties. If the door is to have a long term future it is essential to seal the open joints and the bottom putty line. We can see the Profi cutter in operation opening up the joints and shakes to the middle rail using the straight cutter which provides a slot 4mm wide and 10mm deep. The same operation is being carried out to the top joints which sometimes need treatment in an outward opening door. From this point onwards sealing the joint is a small Dry Flex repair and as before it is essential to expose sound clean timber and check for moisture levels below 18%. The flexibility, strength and water sealing properties of the Dry Flex RP will ensure that the joint ceases to be a source of moisture ingress. This was a typical conservation joint on a two panelled door which was very obviously open before the conservation works were carried out. Once the Dry Flex repairs have been completed it is usually 24 hours before final finishing is carried out and this involves smoothing off with woodworking tools and light sanding prior to decorative finishes being applied. Dry Flex RP is temperature sensitive and a longer cure will be required in colder weather.

To remove back putties we used the Profi Assist which is an attachment which enables the operator to remove the back putty without breaking the glass and cuts a slot adjacent to the glass approximately 4mm wide and 8mm deep. This operation was carried out to the bottom putties and up to 300mm to the adjacent vertical putty. After careful removal of any dust or debris the gap was filled with Dry Seal Elastic Glazing Sealant by being pumped in using a heavy duty mastic gun via the supplied nozzle cut to deliver the correct amount to the prepared groove. The Dry Seal was then smoothed to a water shedding profile using a Dry Seal Applicator and allowed to cure for 48 hours after which the decorative finish could have been applied.

This door was rescued from wasteful disposal at a mere cost of £78, under 25% of replacement cost! The repair and conservation works took less than 4 hours to complete in total and this door is still looking good and in better condition than near-by original doors and new doors which did not have the benefit of The Window Care System.

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Saving A Victorian Bay Window On A Grade II Listed Building

This bay window had serious decay in both cills and boxframe and replacement was an option soon abandoned because of cost and disruption. The clients surveyor knew our system well and had faith in our repair and conservation methods. The result? Well repaired and it's long term future assured at a fraction of the replacement cost. Our system is well suited to buildings of architectural and historical interest primarily because the repairer needs only disturb the decayed element of the frame leaving the sound timber intact . Correctly carried out repairs are not apparent. This is just one example of a strong and durable repair which can bring back to life severely damaged joinery and restore the quality of a fine building. The Window Care System is equally effective on modern joinery which is even more susceptible to attack by wood decay.

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Glazing Sealant Problems AND SOLUTIONS

This will be a familiar picture to those used to specifying pre-paint repairs. Perished, brittle and non adhesion are symptoms of linseed oil based putty breakdown. The first place to give trouble is often the adhesion to the glass which can go unnoticed for some time and redecoration may take place without any remedial work being done leaving a high moisture area which will almost certainly result in decay by the end of the next decoration cycle. At best, more linseed oil based putty is forced into the cracks leading to even more failure. The first sign will be paint breakdown just below the putty line where moisture has entered the rebate and lifted the decorative finish. The cycle has begun and will end with a decayed window requiring extensive remedial works or disruptive and costly replacement. The problem is even more serious with bead glazing as the moisture ingress will rot the bead and the frame at the same time and may be well entrenched before becoming noticeable. To avoid this serious and costly problem the glazing sealant for both beads and face putties MUST BE FLEXIBLE. Dry Seal Elastic Glazing Sealant, if used correctly, will seal the glazing line against moisture penetration and provide a surface which can be painted or stained within 48 hours. Perished putties must be removed to the horizontal line and at least 50mm to adjacent verticals and replaced with Dry Seal for lasting conservation. The procedure is simple and economic and can avoid the most common cause of wood decay in external joinery.

The Simple Procedure

This typically damaged linseed oil based putty was causing paint loss and the start of decay in this modern storm proof opening light. The window faced almost directly south and the owner had difficulty in keeping paint on despite "repairing" the putties each time it was decorated. The first step was to remove the offending putties, leaving a clean sound rebate and thoroughly clean the glass. In this case the paint was removed from the whole area as the open joint and slight decay was repaired with Dry Flex RP. Next, the rebate was sealed with a clear sealer (paint primer would have done equally well) to prevent the oils in the sealant leeching into the timber before curing. Once the sealer or primer is dry and any dust removed the Dry Seal is then applied using a heavy duty hydraulic mastic gun cutting the supplied nozzle to suit the width of the rebate. If over application occurs it can be removed and applied to the next section and no waste need occur. We provide a high quality application gun which will deliver a constant flow to the work point. The Dry Seal Applicator is used to smooth and profile the sealant which when decorated will look just like any other sealant but it's behaviour will be far from common-place. It will take up to 48 hours to fully cure by which time it will have the flexibility of rubber and sealing properties of silicone. The effect is to provide a "rubber" gasket to the lower glazing line where used. Amazingly the cured surface will take most paint coatings and even provides remarkably good adhesion for decorative stains. If future reglazing is necessary Dry Seal can be simply removed using a sharp knife and the rebate and new glass made ready for re-application. See Window Care Repair Methods 9 & 10.

Solutions For Bead Problems

This sketch shows the typical problems faced with glazing beads bedded on a porous or brittle glazing sealant. Moisture is admitted between the glass and bead and often to the lower joint as well. Poor design can also be a factor with poor run off and sharp arrises. Paint will not remain adhered to areas of high moisture content and decay will soon be present. The solution is to renew the bottom and side beads with a new section with adequate run-off and preferably with a rounded edge for the best paint cover. Ensure that both bead and rebate is primed with paint primer and take care to seal the end grain of the beads as well and thoroughly clean the glass. Bed the bead in at least 2mm of Dry Seal Elastic Glazing Sealant and shape joint to give run-off. Allow to cure for 48 hours and decorate with paints or stain.

Solutions For Back Putties

Perished back putties as illustrated here are a constant source of moisture ingress and paint loss and this problem is the cause of many condemned two panelled doors with wood decay in middle and bottom rails. This source of varying moisture increases the movement in the various components and leads to open joints with another set of problems (see elsewhere). The answer is to provide stability by sealing the glazing and panel lines by replacing the failed linseed oil based putty with Dry Seal. Use the Profi Assist to cut a groove 4mm x 8mm deep between the glass or panel and the surrounding timber.

Durability

These putties were replaced with Dry Seal Elastic Glazing Sealant over three years ago in exactly the way described above and there is no sign of paint breakdown in any position. The sealant is still flexible and will remain that way for a very long time to come and therefore the paint system will remain intact for a much longer period than the normal four to five years we have come to expect. Many of the original Window Care projects in Holland have lasted for seven to eight years before redecoration was necessary and we are now finding a similar situation in the UK. It is all the result of the stability of the sub-strate made possible with our products and methods.

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TYPICAL 1930's BAY WINDOWED SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE

This typical semidetached house built in 1935 was suffering from the usual problems associated with this era of window.

The oak cills had decayed around the mitre joints which were open to moisture ingress and the handrail bolts holding the cills together had rusted and caused splits along the grain opening up the timber to even more moisture. The effect was to cause serious decay in the outer section of the oak to a point generally in line with the mullions and softwood lights. The softwood fixed and opening lights were affected by decay emanating from moisture ingress via open joints and linseed oil putty failure. Two of the bottom rails were completely decayed. Most of the mullions had decayed at the junction with the cill encouraged by excess movement and open joints. MOST SURVEYORS WOULD CONSIDER THIS BAY WINDOW TO BE BEYOND REPAIR BUT NOT IF THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH OUR METHODS AND PRODUCTS! THIS BAY AND ALL THE OTHER WINDOWS ON THE HOUSE WERE SUCCESSFULLY REPAIRED USING THE WINDOW CARE SYSTEM AT A FRACTION OF THE COST OF REPLACEMENT AND (JUST AS IMPORTANT) LEFT LOOKING AS IT WAS WHEN BUILT ALL THOSE YEARS AGO.

HERE'S HOW IT WAS DONE

The paint was removed from the areas affected by decay to at least 10mm beyond the decay. All decayed areas of the oak cill were removed back to sound timber using a woodworking chisel. All decayed areas of the mullions and bottom rails were cut back with the Window Care Profi to sound timber using the round cutter. Changing to the straight cutter the open joints not affected by decay were opened to a depth of 10mm and a width of 4mm in readiness for forming conservation joints. Dry Pin in-situ preservation capsules were inserted at the ends of the cill adjacent to the brickwork and in the end frame adjacent to the brickwork and just above cill level. The sound timber was checked for moisture content using the Wood Condition Meter, no light = well below 14% (good adhesion), green light = around 14% (good adhesion), amber light = around 18% (borderline) and red light = too wet to achieve good adhesion (stop and allow to dry). The areas to be repaired were lightly sanded to remove any loose fibres left proud by the cutting out and the whole given a coat of Dry Fix Primer which was left to penetrate for at least 30 minutes. Dry Fix was also applied to the contact surfaces of all new timbers i.e. backs and ends of new cill sections, ends of new bottom rails. These surfaces had been left rough sawn for the best adhesion.

Dry Flex RP, the main repair compound, was dispensed using the Dosing Pistol on to the Mixing Plate and mixed using the Application Knives. When the colour change denoting a correct mix had been achieved the Dry Flex was "buttered" on to the contact surface of the new cill section whilst the Dry Fix was still tacky (any time the same day) and the new section pressed into position squeezing out the surplus material but ensuring that at least a 4mm bed was left between the new and old timbers. Each new section of cill was fitted in a similar manner in a continuous operation also maintaining a 4mm bed on the mitred joints. No fixings were required or used. The new bottom rails were fitted in a similar manner with straight 4mm joints without fixings and the new joint will prove stronger than a mortice and tenon. The resin-only repairs followed and the Dry Flex RP was pressed into position using the application knives and needed no means of retention as it is slump free and can be applied in one application to any height and any depth to effect a high strength, flexible repair. After curing (about 24 hours in summer) the repairs were finished using woodworking tools followed by light sanding and left ready for decoration. No glass was broken or removed during the repairs even where bottom rails were replaced which is quite usual for a Window Care project. Last but by no means least the bottom glazing line was dealt with because, as you may recall, the linseed oil based putties had perished and were responsible for much of the deterioration found on the frames. The remnants of the bottom putties were removed and at least 50mm to the adjacent verticals (to ensure a good seal at the corner) and the timber rebates were cleaned off and given one coat of paint primer to seal the surface. The glass in the rebate area was thoroughly cleaned to ensure good adhesion and Dry Seal Elastic Glazing Sealant was applied to the rebate and screeded to shape using the Dry Seal Applicator. After 48 hours the Dry Seal was ready for decoration using the same paints as for the rest of the frame.

WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED

The Windows Have Been Saved -They Now Have A Long Term Future!

The House Looks Better For It - Replacement Windows Just Never Look As Good.

It Has Saved A Lot Of Money.

The Occupier Had No Disruption.

The Future Decoration Cycle Will Be Extended.

Environmentally Friendly. No Builders Skips Ending In A Landfill Site. No Greenhouse Gases Produced In Manufacturing New Frames And Glass. No Waste Of Natural Resources.

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PRICE LIST

Effective from January 2008 - All Prices Are Exclusive Of VAT

PRODUCT NAME	CARTON SIZE	UNIT	£
Repair Resins
Dry Flex 16 Repair Compound	20 sets per box	Each set	23.07
Dry Fix 16 Primer	10 sets per box	Each set	23.07
Dry Flex 4 Repair Compound	20 sets per box	Each set	25.70
Dry Fix 4 Primer	10 sets per box	Each set	25.70
Dry Flex 1 Repair Compound	20 sets per box	Each set	28.79
Dry Fix 1 Primer	10 sets per box	Each set	28.79
Putty Replacement
Dry Seal DS (Glazing Sealant)	24 tubes per box	Each tube	8.65
Electrical Tools
Freud Wood Cutter 110v or 240v	No cutters	Each	120.00
Metarbo Mini Profi 110v or 240v	No cutters	Each	189.40
50mm Rotary Sander 110v or 240v		Each	243.50
Electrical Tools Accessories
Premium Straight Cutter		Each	28.01
Economy Round Cutter		Each	10.61
Premium Round Cutter		Each	35.42
Sanding Disc Holders		Each	26.59
Sanding Discs 40 or 60 grit		Each	0.75
Sanding Discs Padded		Each	1.20
Application Tools
Dosing Pistol		Each	18.68
Mixing Plate		Each	9.90
Application Knives	Set of four	Per set	5.84
Mixing Cup & Stick	Set	Each	0.35
Brush for Dry Fix		Each	0.21
Disposable Gloves (part of set)	1 Pair		F.O.C.
Total for of appl. tools		Set	34.98
Dry Seal Accessories
Dry Seal Applicator		Each	8.60
Dry Seal Dispensing Gun (Professional)		Each	51.71
Dry Seal Dispensing Gun (Economy)		Each	20.00
General Accessories
Wood Condition Meter		Each	50.34
Small Application Knife		Each	1.57
Brushes		Each	0.21
Window Care Scraper		Each	6.95
Scraper Blades	Pack of 5	Pack	19.95
Health & Safety Items
Dry Wipes		Tub	9.85
Cotton Gloves		Pair	0.70
Nitrile Rubber Gloves		Pair	2.40
Disposable Gloves in Box of 50 pairs	Box	Box	10.45
Formers
Perspex Strips 500mm long	Set of 10	Set	15.02

More comprehensive price list on request

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Window Care Systems Anglia

Unit 4, Chingford Industrial Centre

Hall Lane

London E4 8DJ

Tel: 020 3225 4058 Fax: 020 8529 0103

E-Mail "info@windowcaresystems.co.uk"

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