Window Maintenance Tips to Extend the Life of Your Windows

There’s no doubt that routine window maintenance increases their lifespan. The trouble is that life gets busy—

It’s easy to push even a quick inspection to the bottom of your to-do list. Hopefully, you don’t wind up being forced to put it in the number one slot with a bullet! That can happen if you discover some pretty bad damage or because your windows aren’t operating correctly.

Time is money

Purchasing a home is a huge investment! The fact that the mortgage payment usually takes the largest cut from the budget proves that point. However, homeowners realize that we’re probably going to be seeing a healthy return someday when it comes time to put it on the market.

Maintaining the structural integrity of your home is imperative to see that assumption become reality.

Windows can last a lifetime

If you purchased an older home, odds are that you’ll want to replace your windows at some point. Even if they’ve been well-maintained, windows in an older home lack the amazing energy-efficient qualities that advancing technology provides windows of today. Impact windows take things a step further providing excellent storm protection for your home and family.

Sure, it’s a big investment, but the good news is, like overall maintenance, window maintenance can provide a good return on the investment. Many manufacturers offer lifetime guarantees—and we’ll mention here that ours is a Double Lifetime Guarantee! Their increased energy efficiency will increase your comfort level and lower your energy bill too.

Window maintenance

We suggest physically scheduling time to conduct periodic window maintenance on your calendar. We’re much more likely to follow through with something if we make if “official.” Right? It doesn’t take a lot of time and the benefit of discovering an issue and correcting it early on can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

Keep it clean

Our windows are directly impacted by the environment both inside and outside. For instance, salt erosion negatively impacts almost everything! If you don’t have vinyl windows, the salt in the air eats away at aluminum frames and damages wood. That leaves them exposed to moisture which causes even more problems.

Washing away salt accumulation is a good idea for your entire house, by the way, not just the windows.

Peeling paint or faded stain

Paint and stain are used to protect wood windows from the elements—both inside and outside. While the outside may seem more important, maintaining them on the inside should be a priority as well.

UV protection

If you have a Low-E film installed on your windows to reflect heat and protect your home’s interior from damaging UV rays, make sure you’re following the manufacturer’s specific cleaning instructions. Improper care is the quickest way to damage it. Also, while your cleaning, look for bubbling, discoloration, scratches, or peeling. Any of these negatively affect the film’s performance.

Window tracks need maintenance too

Dirt and grime collect in the window tracks. Spiders also find them to be a perfect spot to build their webs—just saying.

Replace cracked glass

Leaving a cracked window in place is never a good idea. The integrity of the window is in a weakened state making it prone to failing. Moreover, air flows through the crack constantly making your home less energy efficient.

If you have double or triple-paned windows that contain argon gas between the panes, it’s going to leak if there’s a crack. That affects both their energy efficiency and noise reduction quality.

Window and pool cage screens

Inspecting your window and pool screens for damage keeps insects out. Keep them clean because salt particles and other debris lodged in the tiny spaces affect the airflow on days we want to let the fresh air in.

It’s also a good idea to periodically check the spine of the screen. It’s the piece that actually holds the screen in place. Age and environmental elements will cause it to deteriorate over time.

Caulking and sealing

While you’re cleaning your windows, inspect the areas around the frame. Cracked caulk or evidence of a damaged window seal needs to be repaired pronto!

Moisture begins to seep into your home through the tiniest opening. That leads to mold, mildew, and wood rot. Even if you don’t have wood windows, you can bet that the interior structure of your home is! Moisture makes its way there through damaged windows and finds it’s way to the interior structure.

In addition, air escapes from the inside and outside air pushes its way inside along the damaged seal areas. That’s going to affect energy efficiency.

Weather-stripping around each window blocks air seepage. Exposure to the elements causes it to degrade over time. Replace it when it shows signs of damage.

Different window types—different maintenance

Today’s vinyl frames shouldn’t need to be caulked other than for aesthetic value if they’re installed properly. However, if your vinyl windows are older, they weren’t nearly as energy-efficient as they are now. If they’re caulked around the outside, keep it up. Older vinyl windows are more susceptible to damage from the excessive heat caused by the sun’s rays too.

Vinyl frames aren’t susceptible to salt erosion like aluminum and wood windows are but a quick wash keeps them looking like new.

Wood and aluminum are very susceptible to salt erosion. If left unchecked, it’s going to lead to moisture problems too. The best plan of action is to get accumulated salt washed off several times a year.

No matter what type of windows you have installed in your home, maintaining them aids you in providing a safe and structurally sound home for your family.

You’ll increase your energy efficiency too.

So, stop procrastinating. Pencil window maintenance in on the calendar.

Today!