How to replace old sealer around window glass?

CourteneyWilko

  

Hello, as seen in the image, there is very old and degraded sealant around the glass of my entrance door window. 
How would I go about replacing this? I assume I will have to remove the old material but am conscious about the glass coming loose? 
Thanks in advance!

MitchellMc

Hi @CourteneyWilko,

Traditionally, the sealant around a window isn’t what actually holds the glass in place. In a typical installation, the glass is secured by tiny pin nails or staples hidden behind the putty, so removing the old sealant shouldn’t cause the glass to move as long as it has been installed correctly. As you remove the old putty, keep an eye out for those tiny pins. 

Once the old sealant is removed, you have a couple of options. Using traditional glazing putty is possible, but it can be messy and doesn’t always end up perfectly smooth, as you can see with the current putty. A cleaner alternative is standard silicone caulking, which can be smoothed off neatly and gives a much more polished finish. When working around glass, always prioritise safety by wearing safety glasses, cut-resistant gloves, long sleeves, trousers, and enclosed footwear, as glass panels can shatter easily. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell