Window Care and Maintenance Guide

Fall is the perfect time to give your windows some attention. Windows are unique in that they must seal effectively, move, and look good while doing it. Windows are often significant investments, so adding years of useful life to them is money in your pocket. Not to mention new windows can pay you back in both monthly energy savings and increased home equity.

Poorly maintained windows are responsible for much of the conditioned air that escapes your home, leading to unnecessarily high energy bills.

Maintaining your windows is simple and often requires just a little effort a few times a year.

Cleaning Your Windows

Windows consist of two main components – the frame and the sash. The sash is the part that moves, contains the glass, and sits inside the window frame. Both must remain clean and in good condition or performance will suffer.

Use a vacuum cleaner or small brush to remove dirt and debris from the track inside the window frame. If your windows tilt inward for easy cleaning, wipe off the outer edges of the sash before returning it to the track.

If only your lower sash moves, just raise the window and clean the track. Once opened, you can often tilt the sash slightly to disengage it from the spring and remove it from the track for easier access.

Lubricating the Tracks

A great way to prep your windows for the cold season is to keep the tracks and sashes in your windows lubricated. If you have ever struggled to open a rarely used window, you understand the importance of track lubrication. Use a window track lubricant to repel dirt and keep the window running smoothly.

Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping can deteriorate over time. Repair the weatherstripping and ensure that it’s even to close any spaces between the sash and the frame. Out-of-square window frames, as well as warped sashes, can leak conditioned air over time, inflating your energy bill.

If you can see light around your sashes when the window is closed, weatherproofing will fill the gap around the sash, creating a better seal against the frame. Weatherstrips are often sold in a one inch wide roll with a self-adhesive backing. Just peel off the backing and attach it to the window. This foam will conform to the shape of your window and close any gaps. By reducing the air flow around your sashes, you help your window retain the conditioned air inside the home, leading to lower utility bills.

Sealing and Repairing Your Windows

Reducing heat loss and keeping your windows in good shape often involves adding insulation or repairing imperfections in the window. 

Inspect

Look for signs of concern on every part of your window: 

• Inspect screens for damage
• Check for any loose screws
• Make sure weatherstripping is even and in good condition
• See if it opens and closes easily
• Use any handles or knobs to ensure they work smoothly
• Check safety stops and locks
• Any soft, spongy, or cracking material in the frame
• Any gaps or cracks in the casing, caulking, and seals
• The condition of the paint or stain
• Signs of mold and mildew

Depending on what you find, you can make repairs yourself or call on a professional. In serious cases, replacement may be necessary.

Insulation

Spray foam insulation is great for larger gaps, but follow the directions carefully. Most spray foam insulation expands as it cures, so don’t fill the gap completely. Over-expansion of the foam can apply unwanted pressure to the window and affect its performance.

After the foam cures, you can trim away any excess with a sharp blade. Any acetone-based cleaner works great to remove cured spray foam from your tools, but avoid getting it on your skin.

Spray foam insulation must be covered, so use either wood putty, trim, or caulk to cover the repair. After the repair has dried, primer and paint can be added as normal.

Check the Seals 

During your cleaning, look for any seals that look out of shape or loose. Damaged seals will not function properly and can allow conditioned air to escape between the sashes. Contact your window installer for a repair as soon as possible, particularly if the seal is missing or detached. 

Finding drafts is easy when the weather is severe because of the huge difference in temperature between indoors and outdoors. Cold drafts are easily felt around leaky windows when the outside temperature is low and the home is warm.

However, finding drafts can be trickier when the indoor and outdoor temperatures are similar, like during the spring and fall. Here are a few tricks for finding drafts around a window:

• Use smoke or vapor. A draft around the window will cause a slight vacuum, moving the air in the direction the draft is blowing.
• Place loose tape near a suspected draft and see if it moves around with a breeze.
• Moisten your skin with warm water to get a better feeling for drafts.

Don’t Be Left in the Cold

If you need help getting your window maintenance under control, many reliable window installation companies offer maintenance service plans. Maintenance services usually include once or twice per year inspections and small repairs.

If your windows are nearing the end of their useful life, consider a replacement project. The sooner you replace them the sooner they will begin to pay you back.. For the best window selection and customer service, contact us at WindowRama.

Our experts can help you find the most energy-efficient, cost-effective options that fit your home at a price you can afford.

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