5 Window Maintenance Tips

Windows provide an essential gateway for natural light to illuminate your house during the day. However, this characteristic also generates potential risks when the windows do not adequately protect against external environmental elements. Thus, proper maintenance can ensure that your windows serve you as expected and retain their usable lifespan.

Consider these five tips for optimal residential window maintenance.

1. Clean the Windows and Window Panes Regularly

Windows are one of the few house fixtures that face exposure to elements inside and outside. Thus, they can gather dust, dirt, and grime that make them dirty and unappealing. You must put in more work to ensure that your windows remain clean, especially during wetter seasons when moisture can mix up with dirt elements.

When you clean your windows, use window-specific tools and cleaning solutions to avoid abrasive damage on the windows. Also, remember to clean the frames as you clean your windows. A cleaner window can allow you to inspect for any damages that might hide underneath the dirt.

2. Maintain Any Moving Parts

Windows have moving parts that let them open and close to allow air into the house. As with all mechanical parts, these components will require maintenance to ensure they operate smoothly and efficiently. Lack of maintenance can cause moving parts to slow or restrict the movement of the windows.

After you clean your windows, apply some lubricant along the tracks or hinges of your windows, based on the design.

3. Replace Cracked Glass Right Away

Glass is vulnerable to impact damage. Flying debris, falling branches, hailstones, and other high-velocity objects can crack your glass or create small intrusion holes. You might get tempted to leave these cracks as they are because they do not directly impact your house's environment. However, this consideration is a mistake.

While the air that seeps into your house does not have an immediate effect, gradual leakage can allow moisture and air to slowly affect your living conditions. Additionally, cracked glass does not have the same level of structural integrity as whole glass. Thus, it might fall apart at any time and injure anyone who deals with it.

If you have double or triple-pane glass that gets damaged, the inert gases that generate their thermal insulation properties slowly leak outside and reduce their efficiency. Thus, an immediate replacement can help avoid these issues from piling up due to negligence.

4. Replace Worn-out Stripping and Caulking

Caulk and rubber strips completely seal any gaps between window panes and frames. However, caulking and stripping can degrade due to continuous exposure to weather elements like heat, cold, and sunlight. Their degradation can reopen the sealed gaps, which can let air inside the house and affect the set temperature and humidity levels.

You should regularly inspect the caulking and weather stripping that seal your windows. If you find any cracks in the caulk or the rubber has worn out, replace them immediately to maintain the seal around the window panes and frames.

5. Repaint the Frames Regularly

Just like other window components, the frames face elemental damage that might slowly remove protective coatings and paint. The paint and coat protect the frames from water damage that might decrease their structural integrity from rot.

You might notice that the paint has peeled, bubbled, cracked, or received any type of damage. Replace the paint immediately with a fresh coat to ensure maximum protection for the window frames.

Allstate Gutter & Siding is a good option for homeowners who want to replace damaged windows or renovate their house and need new windows. Contact us today to browse through our window options.