To keep your home looking appealing and prevent avoidable damage, routine maintenance of your home’s features like windows and doors is essential. Overall home maintenance is also a key part of responsible homeownership. Hence, maintaining the look and function of your windows is vital. It is a feature of your home that you regularly use, whether that be a place to look through or you use to bring fresh air into your home. To maintain your windows look and function here are 5 window maintenance tips:
Inspect your windows regularly
Regular window inspections are perhaps the simplest and most vital thing you can do to ensure proper upkeep of your windows. You may remedy the problem or acquire replacement windows before it affects your home by doing rigorous inspections for any symptoms of degeneration or damage. You can start by looking for any gaps or fractures between the wall and the frame of the window. Check for breaks in the rubber seals that hold the window glass in place. Examine the window panes for evidence of moisture or condensation. If there is, your seals have most likely cracked. If that is the case you can have the rubber seals changed by a professional when needed. In addition, check any locks and latches to ensure they are still working properly as this is important for both window performance and house safety.
The longer you have your windows, the higher chance that they will not fit as well as they did on the day they were installed. Exposure to the environment, seasonal temperature variations, and ordinary wear and tear can cause minor changes in the size and form of your windows and window frames. Homes settle with time, which can pose difficulties with window openings that were previously a perfect fit. Poor performance results from a poor fit. Your windows will be less energy efficient, and air and water may enter. Examine each portion of the window to ensure that it still fits properly. If your windows do not open or close entirely, will not lock completely, or have moisture in them, there might be a fit issue. If a fit issue is the case, the best possible course of action could be a complete window replacement down to the frame.
Clean and lubricate the tracks
It is highly recommended to clean and lubricate your window tracks on a regular basis. Lubricating all moving parts and tracks can guarantee that your windows continue to open and close smoothly. Most hardware stores will have a general purpose non-detergent oil-free lubricating solution suitable for this use. Specifically oil free because oil-based solutions actually attract dust and grime, which can clog up the window tracks and make it more difficult to open and close. You could optionally use basic water and light soap solutions. However, before cleaning, carefully vacuum any debris and dust from the tracks, as well as the sills and frames, with a soft brush attachment. Any dust accumulation might be what is causing your windows to stick in the first place. It is a good idea to apply oil-free lubricating oil once a year, especially in the spring and fall, when the windows might get tight or stiff.
Insulate your windows for any season
Look for any gaps or seams that need to be sealed before caulking your windows. You do not want air to sneak in through any unseen holes or fissures, which can significantly increase your energy cost. This can also result in a colder home in the winter or a hotter home in the summer with an HVAC working overtime to drop or increase the indoor temperatures. Not to mention that moisture, mildew, and mold can enter your house through these cracks. One of the most prevalent sealant issues occurs between windows and at the bottom corners. Weatherstripping each window may also keep air and moisture out. Just keep an eye on your weatherstripping, caulking, and sealant over time. Like any other home features, they deteriorate with age.
In addition, adding extra insulation to your home’s windows can help maintain its weather stripping and seals during extreme cold. You may add thermal window coverings or line your windows with insulation. It may block the light out during the winter, but it will preserve the window seals and frames. However, these are all merely band-aid fixes to a larger issue. If your power bill has unexpectedly increased and you are insulating your windows because they allow chilly air into your home, you most likely need to replace them.
Routine glass cleaning
If washing both the inside and outside of your windows is not at the top of your priority list when it comes to keeping your home clean, you should revisit your list. Clean the outside of your glass windows at least a few times a year to keep them in good condition and clean windows from the inside of your home once a week. Not only may dirt and debris on your windows prevent natural light from entering your house, but it can also cause harm to your windows over time. Not to mention that the longer you leave it, the more difficult it will be to clean up later. It is also critical to use the correct cleaning solutions when giving your windows the shine and sheen that gives them their appeal. Heavy-duty cleaning products are not required for either glass or vinyl windows. Strong and abrasive solutions are actually likely to do substantial harm to the quality of the glass and its frames. All you need is dish soap, warm water, and a microfiber cloth to get the job done. Conversely, you might also use a vinyl window cleaner that acts as both a cleanser and protectant, since many of these give UV protection to your windows.
In addition, avoid using a pressure washer to clean your windows. Even though they may seem effective at removing dirt and grime, at low pressures they are capable of weakening the seals of your windows. While cleaning your windows and you notice moisture leaking through, the seals could already be damaged, and may be time for a replacement. In addition, cleaning your window panes on a regular basis is a simple approach to minimize the amount of condensation that forms on the glass and the overall degree of moisture that enters your home. To finish the job, use a soft glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth, since anything rougher, such as the rough side of a sponge or steel wool, may cause the panes to break after a certain point.
Repair window damage as soon as you spot it
Damaged windows detract from the ambiance of your healthy living space. Inspect your glass windows on a regular basis to catch any physical damage early on. The sooner you identify indications of degradation, the easier it will be to maintain your windows. Any splinters, holes, breaks, or fractures should be addressed quickly to avoid additional damage. This will save you time, effort, and money when they are fixed sooner. Broken glass panes can either be repaired or replaced entirely. Check for smaller items, such as screws, to repair or replace if they are broken. If a wooden component of your glass window is decaying, simply remove the deteriorating wood with a screwdriver and then fill holes in and paint it. If you discover a problem, whether it is a dusty track or a break in the sealant, fix it straight away to save yourself time and trouble later on.
Even if you have completed your whole window inspection and maintenance checklist, you may still want the assistance of a professional. Some window concerns, such as a mismatched window fit or a major crack, can be efficiently and properly completed by a professional. Window repair can be a headache for any homeowner who is experiencing higher utility bills and indoor temperatures that are not as comfortable as they could be. A professional can inspect the current problems with your windows and recommend the best possible solution to give you peace of mind that your windows are functioning as they should.