While you might not think about them much in day-to-day life, your windows provide a lot. They offer you the beautiful glow of daylight and the fresh air from the outside, and they’re a key component to the aesthetic of your home.
That said, there are many things that can go wrong with them, making it paramount that you regularly check that all windows in your house are safe and secure (and clean if you want the place to look its best!).
Here are five important steps for optimal maintenance!
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- Getting a Professional Assessment
The first thing you should be doing is getting a professional window fitter’s advice – from someone like Window Nation, for example. If your windows are considerably degraded, the only option is often to get them fully replaced (frames, glass, and everything else). Even if not, a professional can alert you to any minor signs of wear and tear and offer advice on how to maintain things going forward.
- Regularly Inspecting for Damage and Wear
Once your windows have been looked over by an expert, you should periodically inspect them yourself once a month or so.
Damage is usually quite obvious to spot: you’re primarily looking for any small cracks in PVC plastic or broken pieces of wood, which can be repaired with gap filler or wood filler (providing the problem isn’t too extensive, of course).
You should also be on the lookout for signs of mold, and if present, use an appropriate chemical solution to remove it quickly – this type of wear is insidious and can cause major problems down the line if not rectified.
- Maintaining Seals
One of the most common elements to degrade when it comes to windows is the seals. When the seal around the edges starts to wear, it can offer a prime opportunity for mold and moisture to wreak havoc with the surrounding structure, so it’s key to address the problem properly.
It’s relatively simple to fix yourself: it involves removing the old seal with a knife and then using a caulking gun to carefully apply a new one.
- Ensuring Window Security
Windows are a natural weak point from a home security perspective, so it’s crucial to stay on top of things to prevent the risk of break-ins.
Having a high-quality lock system is your main priority, so it can be beneficial to have a locksmith look over your current setup to assess its efficacy. As a secondary measure, adding window sensors can provide extra peace of mind: the alarm goes off if there’s been a forced entry, and most are easy to install, with some models also coming with Bluetooth functionality for your smartphone.
- Keeping Things Clean
And finally, remember to regularly clean both the outside and inside! Not only will this help your home maintain a pleasing appearance, but it’ll prevent dirt build-up contributing to any of the elements discussed above (if you’re looking for a natural cleaning solution, vinegar is a great option).