We've been through months of snow, sleet, and freezing temperatures. Spring is just around the corner, and there's no better time to give a fresh start to our homes with a good clean scrub for spring cleaning.
It is magical when winter first arrives, and you look out your windows and see the world covered by a fresh blanket of snow for the first time in the season. The warmth and glow of holiday traditions are enchanting and keep most people from focusing on winter's less appealing aspects.
But after months and months of winter, not only does the appeal begin to wear off, but once that snow and ice start to melt, it leaves behind a lot of salt, dirt, and grime. This dirt not only affects the aesthetic of your home but can also reduce its function.
Our homes keep us warm and protected from winter's harshest elements, but that also means they bear the brunt of it. And when the spring thaw comes, it means it's time to roll up those sleeves and get to work making sure winter hasn't been too damaging to our house and get it looking and functioning at its best for the spring and summer.
Some of the most common elements routinely overlooked during the spring-cleaning season are the windows and doors. We look through and walk through them daily, but many of us can have blind spots to these areas of our homes.
But there are important reasons to get your windows and doors in Kitchener in good condition at this time of year. We'll explain this importance and share tips and tricks for cleaning and maintaining to keep them performing at their best all year long.
Why Windows and Doors Are So Important
Doors and windows are essential to the functioning of a home. When they start performing poorly, it affects the integrity of the entire house. Even if they don't look like they're in bad shape at first glance, don't skip these vital parts of your home.
A house that is in good working order is considerably more energy efficient. Windows and doors are essential to this, as they are responsible for up to 25 per cent of total house heat loss. For this reason, these elements need to be sealed, maintained, and cleaned.
Keeping up with maintenance will also help with your home's curb appeal and resale value. Even if you don't plan to sell anytime soon, neglecting your windows can lead to costly repairs or replacements much earlier than you would need to. If you let them fall into bad enough shape, they will be unappealing to future potential buyers should you decide to sell in the future.
In this scenario, you'd be left with deciding between costly upgrades right before you list your house, meaning you wouldn't even get to enjoy them, or if you choose not to replace them, it could lead to a lower resale value.
Now that we know why it's so important to keep your windows in peak condition let's look at how to clean and care for them, both from the inside and the outside.
Credit: user15285612 via Freepik
Interior Cleaning
We'll go through some simple spring tips for cleaning doors and windows, getting into the nitty-gritty details. To start, while spring cleaning is the most famous and annual cleaning is adequate, we recommend a bi-annual cleaning. It's best to bookend winter window issues by doing this cleaning in the fall and the spring.
Cleaning not only has the benefit of making your windows and doors look amazing, but it's also an essential part of maintaining them, although we'll expand on that later on. Spending a couple of hours cleaning your windows thoroughly and adequately can add many extra years to their lifespan.
When cleaning, make sure to use a mild soap or cleanser with water to clean clad and vinyl surfaces. Apply automotive paste wax to maintain the bright lustre for aluminum frames. Don't use abrasive materials or harsh cleaners when cleaning the glass. Use a microfibre cloth and a mild mixture of dish soap and water.
If you decide to brighten things up for spring by painting your windows, be careful not to paint over the hardware or window stripping, as doing so can hinder their performance and operability.
Try to clean on a mild day that is neither too hot nor too cold. If it's too hot and the sun is shining, the cleaner tends to dry too quickly, leaving your windows prone to streaks. Use a brush and vacuum to loosen and remove dirt and dust stuck in the frames, tracks, sashes and sills. After you've removed the dirt and debris, gently wash the tracks and clean inside and around the frames.
Hardware
Don't forget to clean the operating hardware, hinges and tracks with mild soap and water, and be sure to do this twice a year at a minimum. Examples of your window and door hardware include:
- Latches
- Hinges
- Seals
- Locks
- Tracks
- Rollers
- Handles and cranks
Check all of these over by locking, unlocking, opening and closing. Make sure everything is working well and operating as it should be. While doing this, lubricate the hardware with a silicone spray or light oil to prevent wear. Double-check hinges for any damage and the tightness of fasteners every six months.
Screens
If you've removed your screens for the winter to reduce the chance of condensation building up on the glass, you've likely cleaned them before storing them. But if you haven't done either of those, now is the time. Inspect your screens for any damage, and be sure to get repairs or replacements done before the insects start buzzing around.
When cleaning them, lay them on a flat surface and wash them using a soft brush and mild cleanser and water. Give them a thorough rinse, and always be sure to let them dry fully before putting them back.
Oversized and Hard to Reach Windows
If you have large windows, you may want to consider a squeegee. Apply the cleaner and then start with the squeegee at the bottom of the windowpane and move upwards and frame the window. Be sure to wipe the squeegee dry after each pass in order to prevent streaking. If you have windows in hard-to-reach areas, simply don't use as much cleanser and utilize a telescopic pole. If using a ladder, practice common sense and stay safe.
Exterior Cleaning
The exterior is the side that takes the worst beating during winter, and there are several things to look out for when cleaning this side. Most important of all is your safety.
Consider the weather when taking on this project. Remember that as much as it might seem like a mild day perfect for some outdoor work, the weather in spring can quickly change. Check the weather and be prepared to stop if the weather starts to turn. You'll want to avoid working in the extremely hot weather or if it's rainy or windy. Not only will it be uncomfortable to work in these conditions, but the weather will also end up being a hindrance to the process.
If you're using a ladder while cleaning the exterior of your windows, make sure it's in good condition, and the ground is sturdy to handle the weight of the ladder and your weight. Be sure to have three points of contact while on the ladder and reposition it to avoid having to overreach.
Maintenance
You're brushing, scrubbing, and wiping your windows and doors, getting into screens, hinges and tracks. There's no better time than this to make sure they're well-maintained too. There are some common window issues to look out for when you're giving your windows a good cleaning.
- Missing or damaged caulking
- Old weather stripping
- Noticeable drafts
- Screen damage
- Broken hardware
- Warped frames
Depending on what's going on in these areas, there are different paths to take. Let's look at our maintenance options.
Credit: Erik McLean via Pexels
Inspecting and Replacing Weatherstripping and Caulking
You'll likely have noticed an improvement in the comfort of your home over the cold Ontario winter if you have a triple glazed window. However, whether you have triple or double glazed windows, it's still important to check your weatherstripping and caulking to prevent leaks and drafts and avoid unnecessary energy loss.
Check the paint, caulking and weatherstripping for breaks and cracks or damaged or missing sections. Those are the more obvious issues, but some problems are less so. From the inside, close doors and windows and look for any light spilling in or air leaking through. You can also administer the candle test. Hold a lit candle or some incense up to the frame and move it around the area. There's likely a leak if the flame or smoke begins to flutter.
You might think air leaks are more of a problem in the fall before the cold days of winter, but it's just as big of a problem in the spring leading into summer. Air leaks can make your home less comfortable and energy efficient by letting the hot summer air leak in and the cold air conditioning leak out. No matter the time of year you notice these issues, they need to be addressed.
Make sure to install new weatherstripping and caulking around your windows and doors to keep things cool and comfortable. You'll want to gently remove the old caulk with a putty knife. Using a caulking gun, steadily run a narrow bead along the length of the seam. Smooth the caulk with an applicator and work one section at a time to avoid buildup. For weatherstripping, carefully remove your existing weatherstripping and follow the instructions on your chosen replacement. Make sure there are no gaps to prevent water from entering your home and causing damage.
If you've done this and you're still noticing leaks and drafts, you may want to look into getting replacement windows in London Ontario.
Other Damage
Many kinds of damage escape notice when you're not looking for them, which is why a careful annual or biannual inspection is so vital, especially after the damaging winter season. If you've noticed scratches or peeling paint, use matching paint and paint pens to make them look as good as they did on day one. If you notice warping, cracking, or chipping, you might need to have your windows serviced or replaced depending on the level of damage.
Testing that Everything Works Well
One of the most important parts of spring maintenance is to make sure everything is operating well for the spring and summer. You'll want everything to be smooth and working well as temperatures fluctuate. While you'll want to have those windows open and get fresh air into your home as the weather heats up, you'll still want to quickly and easily close them in adverse weather or if temperatures plummet.
Open and close every window and make sure you're able to do it easily without exerting a ton of effort or the window getting stuck halfway. Make sure hinges and locks are working smoothly. Test out and check everything and if you have any issues, consider getting your windows serviced.
Repair or Service
If you notice problems or issues with your doors or windows that need to be addressed by the professionals, don't worry. You can easily request service through our website, and we'll be happy to help with whatever your concerns are.
With winter behind us, it's time to welcome in spring. By spring cleaning and doing spring maintenance on your windows and doors, you'll enjoy the clean, clear view as spring starts to blossom and a comfortable indoor environment. Spend a few hours cleaning and maintaining these crucial elements of your home, and you'll be able to sit back with a gorgeous, unobstructed, and clean view or enjoy the gentle breeze through your windows whenever you want.