Putty Repair | Window

Happy glazing, and may your putty knife never slip.

The good news? Repairing window putty is one of the most satisfying (and budget-friendly) DIY projects you can tackle. For the price of a few tubes of caulk, you can stop drafts, prevent rot, and save hundreds on replacement windows. window putty repair

The putty should slope from the glass down to the wood. This sheds water away from the glass. Flat or reverse slopes trap water and guarantee failure. Happy glazing, and may your putty knife never slip

Wipe the bare wood with a brush and denatured alcohol to remove dust, oil, and old paint residue. —new putty will not stick to dirty or oily wood. For the price of a few tubes of

For stubborn putty, tap the putty knife with a hammer lightly—like a mini chisel. Once you remove the bulk, use the hook tool to clean out the rabbet (the L-shaped groove where the glass sits).

—it will shrink, crack, and ooze out. Patience pays off. When to Call a Pro (And When to DIY) DIY if: You have basic hand tools, one afternoon, and the wood frame is solid.