Window problem

[misty]

I have this nice glass block window in my basement. Oddly, it has another tiny window embedded in the center of it. Its one of those jalousie windows that you crank open & shut. Problem is, it leaks horribly. There's a ton of cold air coming in even though I shut it as tightly as possible. Whats the best way to seal it up? I don't care if I can ever open it again, although Bill might if he ever gets to the point that he can go down there again.

[Tumbleweed]

Can you feel where the cold air is coming in? Is it around the outside frame of that small window? If so I'd just use clear silicone to seal it up- you know, with a caulk gun. If it is actually around the part where the window opens and closes I'm not sure. Duct tape? O.K. I'm just joking.

The first thing I'd do is see if the hinges are tightened down. Those verticle crank-outs are famous for sagging although that probably isn't the case for such a small window and I have a feeling it is a horizontal crank out anyway. But it could be just a matter of it being out-of-square and not secure in there.

If you want a cheap way just tape clear plastic over the whole sheebang. But for a professional way, I'm not sure what would work. There are so many ways, the medal fold type that fits in a tiny space and then opens up to block the air. The foam kind.

Let me think about it.....meanwhile maybe you can give more detail about where the air is leaking in from and how big the cracks are, if the cracks are fat on one side and then get smaller as you get to the bottom, etc...

[misty]

You had some good ideas! I don't care if its professional looking or not right now. Its in the basement after all so no one other than I will be seeing it.

It is a horizontal crank out & the leaks are everywhere. Well, I went to take a closer look & see that there's a bee hive in there so no closer inspections until my dad comes & helps me get rid of that. I know its winter, but with my luck a hundred hibernating bees will swarm out & get me if I get too close. Anyway, it seems like the window itself just isn't closing tightly. I think I'll try the plastic idea after the hive is gone, but if you think of anything else, let me know because come spring I'll want a more permanent solution.

I'm sure I'll be back with more problems since I suddenly find myself "man of the house" & I am absolutely NO good at it!

[Tumbleweed]

Well, one good thing. This time of the year bees are moving very slowly and probably not a danger to anyone since they are half asleep. (Did I ever tell you my Dad used to keep honey bees?) Anyway, I actually have someplace in my basement that wasps are getting in and I have yet to find that someplace.

Back to your window. It could be that just a lot of debris is preventing it from closing all the way or it may be warped. Once you get the bee hive taken care of a really good cleaning may do the trick. Also, if they have any kind of weatherstipping then I'd replace it with the same kind, provided it looks like it has seen it's last day. If it looks in good condition then you may want to consider a different weather stripping.

And gosh, your right. I just didn't think about the fact that you are now in charge of everything including home repair issues. Hopefully, not for long as I'm sure there will be a day down the road that your dh will be just as he used to be and doing all those "manly" chores.

But know I'm here to help as much as I can.