Spring is finally here in Wisconsin, and after several long, cold months spent shivering indoors, it’s time to throw open the shutters and welcome warmer weather! But while you’re making your spring cleaning list, amongst the dusting and organizing, there’s one thing you should make sure you don’t neglect: your windows.
Your windows have just been through a lot—snow, ice, sleet, freezing temperatures—and likely need a little love to keep them looking and performing their best. In order to best prepare them for the year ahead, here are our most essential spring window maintenance tips.
Spring Window Maintenance Tips
Inspect & Clean
First things first: inspect your windows! Over the winter, they may have sustained some sort of damage without you even realizing it. Look carefully over them, and keep an eye out for cracks, distortions, or signs of moisture damage (especially if you have wooden frames). Doing so will not only allow you to get them repaired if needed, but catching these issues early on can prevent them from turning into larger, more costly problems down the line.
If you’ve checked all your windows and like what you see, it’s time to start cleaning! Your windows are likely extremely dirty now that the snow has melted, and deserve a fresh sheen! Use a glass cleaner to wipe them down (inside and outside), and be sure to clear up any debris or dust from the hinges, sills, and tracks.
Here are some of our favorite window-cleaning tools:
Cleaning Utensils
(If you don’t want to put any chemicals on your windows, you can always opt to use a more gentle mixture of vinegar and water—we recommend equal parts distilled water and white vinegar.)
Check the Weatherstripping or Caulking
Just because the cold weather is going away doesn’t mean you don’t still want your windows to be insulating your home properly! Check to make sure that (if you have it) the weatherstripping or caulking around your windows is still intact. If it’s broken off or cracked in certain areas, we recommend you repair it.
Without proper weatherstripping or caulking, there will be unsealed gaps around your window that let in pesky drafts, bugs, and moisture. This will be especially important in the summer months, when you’re trying to cool your home down and hot air is constantly getting in. Your air conditioner unit will have to work overtime to regulate the temperature, thereby raising your utility bill.
If you want to go one step further, you can test how well your weatherstripping or caulking is holding up if you’re having difficulty visually. Just hold a lit candle or lighter around the edges of the window, and see if the flame flickers. It could mean there’s lots of air coming in!
Tighten & Lubricate Hardware
Most windows have some sort of hardware, whether that be screws, a locking mechanism, or hinges. As part of your spring window maintenance, we recommend checking on them—they are what’s holding together your window, after all!
Tighten any loose screws or hinges, and be sure to lubricate the hardware and tracks. (Try using this product.) Doing so will help reduce wear and friction on your window, ensuring that over time, it doesn’t become difficult to maneuver. Plus, doing a bit of maintenance on things like the hardware will go a long way in preventing rust and helping to extend the overall lifespan of your window.
If, while you’re doing this, you notice that something looks worn out, consider replacing it entirely. Outdated locks aren’t just an aesthetic issue, they’re also a safety issue. The spring and summer months always have an uptick in break-ins, and you don’t want to find out too late that your locking mechanism failed you halfway through the season.
Test the Functionality
Now that you’ve cleaned the glass, repaired the weatherstripping or caulking, and did some maintenance on the hardware, it’s time to check that the window is working properly. Test to see that:
- Your window can open and close without jamming
- The locking mechanism is working properly
- When the window is shut, there’s not an excessive amount of noise or air coming through
- You can easily see through them
You want to be able to enjoy your windows to the fullest, especially now that the weather will be warmer and plants will be in bloom. If something isn’t working right, get it repaired immediately!
Examine Screens
If you took your screens out to protect them over the winter, then now is the time for you to put them back in! Give them a quick look over before doing so, checking for any rips or tears in the mesh. (If you do find any damages, then most hardware stores can re-screen them for you). It’s likely the screens spent the winter in your basement or garage, if so, then they might need a quick cleaning as well.
Trim Overhanging Branches
Although this may seem like a roundabout way to perform maintenance, we recommend trimming any overhanging or dead branches around your windows. Doing so will prevent them from being torn off during rough spring storms and potentially crashing into your windows, creating costly damages.
You don’t have to go crazy and hack down all your trees—just evaluate branches around your home and determine which ones have the potential to fall. When you figure out what you’d like to take down, try to cut the branches closer to the trunk, as shown in the above picture, as opposed to halfway down the branch. (It’s actually healthier for the tree and can promote better healing.)
If you’re dealing with a larger branch or one located near power lines, we recommend contacting a professional. You might end up hurting yourself or your home even further if you try to handle it yourself.
Happy Spring From Standard Windows & Doors!
If you’re conducting your spring window maintenance and find a serious problem, then contact the trusted team at Standard Windows & Doors. Our experienced team of professionals will be able to identify the issue, and recommend either a repair or replacement.
Our dedication to high-quality craftsmanship and commitment to finding the best window to suit your personal tastes, project needs, and budget constraints will ensure you’ll walk away from the experience happy.
