Whether you have aging windows, newly installed ones, or those needing replacement, you can help extend the life of this major home feature through proper maintenance. Spring cleaning season is the perfect time to provide your windows with extra attention and care. Since they keep your home comfortable, attractive, and energy-efficient, maintenance is key to avoiding extra costs throughout the year.
Why Should I Clean My Windows?
Letting the rain wash your windows is certainly one way to handle this cleaning chore. But rain does not actually clean them. With the rain comes grime washed down from the side of your home and its roof. Your ground-level windows also receive an ample share of mud splashing back onto the panes and frames. Even pollen residue and a light film of dirt on these exterior features can greatly affect your home’s overall appearance.
Cleaning your windows in spring instantly provides a better appearance to your home. You can also see through them better, giving you a clearer view of your property’s beauty. Why miss the blooming foliage and flowers of spring because of dirty windows? Cleaned panes flood sunlight into your home and give the whole property a more spacious, bright, and tranquil appearance.
More than anything else, cleaning your windows gets you close to them. While washing each pane and frame, you can inspect your windows for basic maintenance or replacement needs.
Maintenance Tips for Your Windows in Spring
Besides spring cleaning, you also need to check your windows for signs of wear and tear in spring. Winter can bring many types of damage, allowing bugs and other pests into your home. Damage also causes your home to lose its energy efficiency. That costs you money in the long run. If you find any of the below signs of problems, you should consider window replacement.
Look for Distortion in Weakened Window Seals
A weakened window seal occurs as windows age. This seal around insulated glass loses its durability and strength. In turn, your double panes leak inert gas from between them. This enables outside air to seep into this space.
Signs of a weakened window seal on sliding windows include distortion. One or both panes of glass in the double-pane unit bend or collapse. You can see these slight signs of damage by standing outside and looking at each window’s reflection. If you see distortion in the reflection, you likely have a failed seal.
Look for Condensation as a Sign of a Weakened Window Seal
At some time in life, most adults have seen one or more double-paned windows with condensation between them. This is another sign of a weakened window seal. Aging, inadequate framing materials for the climate, poor installation, and ongoing exposure to harsh elements can cause condensation in a double-pane glass.
Find Drafts around Your Closed Windows
You should not feel drafts coming through closed windows. If you feel air coming in, your windows have problems. This is not just a personal comfort issue. Drafts cause an increase in your energy bills as part of every season. Maybe you only need to have the window caulk replaced. Or, window replacement may be the appropriate solution if your windows are old, damaged, or ill-fitting.
Some Do’s and Don’ts of Window Care
Cleaning and maintaining your windows helps you ensure they operate as they should and look great, in the process. Clean each frame, grille, and sash using mild, soapy water. Do not use an abrasive material, solvent, or harsh chemical in this process. Instead, choose a soft brush or rag. For a clean shine after washing away major dirt and debris, use a lint-free cloth with diluted vinegar or window cleaner.
Also, apply dry lubricant to each window’s components. Include the locks and hinges in this at least once annually. Avoid wet lubricants, as these can damage your window’s delicate parts and enable greater accumulation of dirt and corrosive particles.