How to Take Care of Your Windows for the Fall
The leaves are changing from their summer greens to warm oranges and reds as the temperatures drop. The nights come earlier, and you’ve started thinking about turning your thermostat just a little higher every day. Although your mind is full of autumn dreams, it’s also time to deal with the harsh realities of prepping your home for the harsh weather to come. A great place to start is your windows. After all, they’re going to be responsible for keeping the cold out and the warmth in. Read on for our top tips on how to take care of your windows this fall.
Wash Your Blinds, Curtains, and Shades
Summer is a time when you throw your windows open to let all the fresh air in. That also means letting in dust, pollen, and bugs that collect on your window coverings. Wash your curtains or have them dry cleaned and clean your blinds and shades according to their manufacturer's instructions. Getting rid of all the summer grime will help the air indoors stay cleaner for longer. You can also consider swopping out lighter summer curtains for heavier winter drapes that keep the warmth in.
Clean the Sills, Hinges, and Sliders
Dust loves to gather on windowsills, around hinges, and in sliders tracks. Use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of any loose dust and then use a soft bristled brush to get rid of any hard-stuck grime. Use a soft, dry cloth to remove grease or debris from the hinges and then apply a silicone-based lubricant to make sure they open and close smoothly. Doing this will help ensure that you can throw your windows open easily when spring rolls around.
Clean the Inside Glass
As much as we love them, grubby little hands, paw prints, and nose boops all leave marks on windowpanes. A mixture of one-part distilled vinegar to 10 parts warm water in a spray bottle makes a great eco-friendly window cleaning solution. Add couple of drops of dish soap to this solution for extra cleaning power and a fresher scent.
Wipe accumulated dust with a clean dry cloth. Next, wipe your windowpanes down in a zig-zag motion with the cleaning solution and a clean microfibre cloth for sparkling clean windows. You can also use a squeegee instead of the cloth – it helps save on the elbow grease.
Clean the Outsides
Clean your windowpanes from the outside too. Make sure you use the right safety equipment for windows that are higher up or call in a professional window cleaning company to get to those hard-to-reach spots.
Check for any cracks on the glass when you’re cleaning your windows and have any panes with visible cracks replaced.
Check For Drafts
Drafty windows are major source of energy leakage. Not only do they let cold air in but the also let warm air out, making your heating system work harder than it must to keep your home comfortable. A simple way to check for drafts is to carry out a smoke test. Turn off all your gas appliances and close all your windows and doors. Turn on your bathroom and kitchen ventilation systems. Then light an incense stick. Carefully pass the incense stick around the edges of your windows to see where the smoke wavers to locate drafts.
Check for frame damage while you are carrying out your inspections. Look for signs like wood rotting, mold growth, rust, cracks, or other wear and tear.
Reapply Sealants and Caulking
Knowing where the drafts are located makes this step much easier. Check the caulking around your known drafts for any cracks or gaps. If you find any, remove the old caulking and replace it with new caulking. Similarly, check the weatherstripping around your windows for any signs of wear and tear and replace it where necessary. It’s a good time to check the sealants too. It’s a good idea to have a professional window repair company do this for you if you’re not sure how to go about this.
Taking care of problems before they get any worse will help you avoid having to deal with wintery drafts later. Consider using energy efficient glass if you need to replace any of your windows.
To sum it up, fall is the ideal time to give your windows a good once over before winter arrives and a professional window repair company like Around The Clock Glass can help. Get in touch with us to know how!
