7 Window Maintenance Tips
There are plenty of areas in your home that will require your attention when it comes to maintenance work, but make sure you’re not ignoring your windows. They are an important part of your home’s structure and, if they begin to deteriorate, it can lead to further issues that could end up being a nightmare to fix, not to mention more expensive. To make sure your windows stay in top condition, here are seven maintenance tips to remember.
1. Regular Cleaning
The most obvious task to do with your windows is cleaning them, both inside and out. Purchasing some glass cleaner will help you with the interior parts of the windows, or you can use a solution of warm water, white vinegar, and washing up liquid. Just make sure you’re wiping them down with non-soapy water afterward to avoid leaving streaks. You can clean the exterior part of the windows yourself as well, but you might want to call a professional window cleaning service to do this for you.
2. Check the Seals
Over time, the seals around your window frames will erode and tear. If this happens, it can result in leaks or draughts that will leave your home cold and your bills high. If you can feel a draught or have noticed dampness, mold, or water around your window frames when there shouldn’t be any, check the seals and fix them. You can easily do this yourself by getting the right sealant and a sealant gun tool; just make sure you have removed the old seal first.
3. Painting
If your window frames are painted orstained, make sure you’re refreshing them fairly regularly, particularly the outside frames. The outside frames will be exposed to the elements, so they are likely to peel, chip, and become duller quicker than any wood on the inside of your home. This is a task that is probably best done in the summer months when the weather is likely to stay dry, and the warmth will help it dry quicker. Plus, this will be a much pleasanter experience for you while you’re working! Just make sure you’ve purchased the right kind of paint for this job; otherwise, the finish won’t look as good, nor will it be durable enough to withstand varying weather changes.
4. Locks
You must make sure the locks on your windows are in good condition. Not only will this ensure that you can open your windows when you need to, but it is also a matter of home security as well. A weak or broken window lock will be appealing to burglars, and as most of them are opportunists, they will test your windows first. If your window locks are feeling delicate or looking rusted, look at having them replaced as soon as possible. You should be able to do this without having to replace the entire window.
5. Lubricate the Moving Mechanisms
If you want to avoid stiff windows, make sure you’re lubricating the moving mechanisms in them to keep them as good as new. Aim to do this twice a year, at the end of spring and the end of autumn, as this will prepare your windows for the more extreme weather conditions that summer and winter can bring. You can use silicone spray to lubricate the moving parts of your window, but giving them a clean before you do so will also help, especially if there has been a build-up of muck over the months. Just make sure you don’t tamper with the screws, as this might weaken the mechanism and could potentially affect your warranty.
6. Window Panes
While looking after the frames and mechanisms is important, make sure you’re paying attention to the glass panes as well. If they appear chipped or damaged in anyway, call out professionals such as this glaziers Perth company to repair the pane for you. This might be preferable to replacing the whole window and more cost-effective, especially if the rest of it is in good or reasonable condition.
7. Complete Replacement
It might come to a point when your windows need replacing entirely. This could be due to some other structural damage in your property, but more often than not, it is simply because the windows have aged and become worn-out over the years. If your property doesn’t have double-glazing, you ought to have the windows replaced anyway, as double-glazing is much more efficient than single. It is also a good opportunity to give your property a new look by choosing a different design.
Make sure you’re taking care of the windows in your home by using these top maintenance tips.
