Spring Maintenance: Getting Windows Summer-Ready

In addition to being important design elements, your windows must be functioning well to keep your home secure, insulated, and safe. Examining each of your windows and their many components is an important homeowner ritual to catch problems before they become emergencies.

You cannot accurately assess the state of your windows, frames, seals, locks, and adjacent wall areas unless they have been thoroughly cleaned. Once your windows are cleaned you can observe issues in their functionality. Test how they open, close, lock, and feel around the frame for air and water coming through.

Looking for Damage (and What To Do When You Find It)

Luckily, issues with window panes are usually obvious. Unluckily, these problems can lead to dangerous situations with broken glass or attempted forced entry. A window that is wobbly, not secured by the frame, or broken and cracked should be addressed by a professional as soon as possible.

Your window frame is the most vulnerable to collecting dirt and grime. Unlike a pane of glass, your window frame and seal have nooks and crannies that are hard to clean and sometimes hard to see. The best thing you can to do maintain your window frame is to give it a regular deep clean. Debris contributes to jams, which can result in more permanent damage if you are forcing your window open or closed.

Locks that are difficult to operate can be detrimental to your home’s security or dangerous in an emergency like a fire. Depending on your windows these may be difficult to replace, so do your research before trying to remove them yourself.

Upgrades To Cut Cooling Costs

Homeowners tend to invest in reducing their heating costs during the winter months, but maintaining a comfortable temperature in summer can be just as costly. Besides putting in modern energy-efficient windows, you can update your current windows with some AC-friendly additions.

Resealing your windows involves replacing the rubber seals that insulate the gaps between your windows and their frames. Not only does this keep your costly air conditioning from escaping, but it also prevents leaks and secures your window firmly in its frame.

Adding tints to your windows bounces UV rays and heat away from your interior, resulting in cooler temperatures indoors. This DIY project can be utilized effectively in some or all of your windows. Consider which rooms get the most sun, they may be the best candidates for window tints.

Is It Time for To Replace Your Windows?

Homeowners looking to radically boost their curb appeal or with old windows in bad disrepair may be dissatisfied with maintenance projects. If cleaning and correcting aren’t enough, replacement may be necessary. You can find our comparison of different replacement methods here.

Finding damage in your window is frustrating as it’s unlikely that you will be able to enact lasting repairs on your own. You can use spray-foam insulation or caulk for a quick fix if you notice a problem with the seal, put tape over a crack in the glass, and use a plastic insulation kit for a severe leak in the frame, but a professional is needed to tend to those problems in a sustainable way.

Reach out to us here to learn more about preparing your windows for the summer months. We’re always happy to speak more about spring maintenance projects.