5 Tips on Home Window Maintenance

If eyes are the windows to the soul, then are your windows the eyes of your house?

Philosophical questions aside, it’s important to add window maintenance to your list of home upkeep chores. When people forget about their window maintenance, it can ruin the appearance of the entire property.

Read on to learn a few easy tips for windows maintenance.

5 Tips on Home Window Maintenance

Window maintenance doesn’t need to be a huge chore! By following the simple tips below, you’ll be able to keep your windows in great shape.

1. Clean Your Windows

For wooden frames, with a damp cloth, you can quickly and easily remove dust and dirt.

Make sure your cloth isn’t too wet. Otherwise, you can cause the wooden frames to rot.

If you have vinyl or aluminum frames then you will want to use a mild detergent to clean them.

Additionally, use a glass cleaner to leave your windows looking crystal clear.

2. Inspect Window Thoroughly

Once every three months you need to conduct an inspection of your windows. This helps you catch any potential issues before they become more severe.

Begin by checking the window frame and sash for signs of rot. You can do this by pressing on the frame or using a utensil as a tool.

If you have double-paned windows, you also need to check the panes for signs of moisture. If you see any, this means that the seal needs to be replaced.

Finally, check if there are gaps between the window frame and the wall.

3. Seal Gaps that Have Formed

If you notice unexplained increases in your electricity bills, it may be due to gaps around your windows. They cause the warm air in your home to escape leading to energy inefficiencies.

You can seal these gaps with spray foam insulation or calk. Additionally, you need to replace the rubber seals of your windows in order to prevent water leaks or air escaping from your home.

4. Repaint Your Window Frames

Plan to repaint your window frames every three to four years. This is essential, not only for their appearance but the pain also helps to protect your windows from the elements.

Make sure you don’t paint over moving parts because this can cause the window to get stuck.

5. Repair Damages Immediately

It’s crucial to attend to any damages that you discover immediately. If you ignore them or think, “I’ll just fix it next summer”, you’re liable to have your window deteriorate further.

One of the most common damages on windows, especially for older homes, is the wooden frames rotting. Of course, if you ignore this problem, the rot will spread.

You can temporarily fix the frame and prevent it from degrading further by using a tool like a screwdriver to remove the rotten wood and then filling the hole with putty.

For more significant damages such as broken window panes, you need to replace the frames immediately.

Take Care of Your Windows

Follow these tips and you can easily stay on top of your home window maintenance. By doing so, you’re not just making sure that your home looks great from the outside.

You’re also saving on energy costs and keeping your family safe.

Visit us to learn more about basic home maintenance including guides on how to replace your doors and when you should be replacing your windows.

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3 Vital Things You Need to Know About Home Windows

There are very few home repairs that can lead to a significant return on the resale market but windows are one of them, often returning around 80% of the cost.

That means that if it’s time to buy replacement windows, you’ll be performing a capital improvement to your property. You’ll not only be making a choice that could decrease utility costs but you could be setting the groundwork for a high resale price.

If you’re thinking you might need to replace your windows soon, here are 3 things not to overlook.

1. Look for Condensation

If you’re seeing condensation on your windows or between double paned windows, you need to pay attention to that. You could be dealing with serious humidity if it happens just once in a blue moon. But if you’re seeing it regularly, that’s a problem.

Condensation could lead to mold or mildew growth. Condensation means that there is a failure in the seal or something structural going on. Be sure that you don’t let in the kind of moisture that could lead to other more serious problems by sealing up your windows.

2. Watch for Drafts

If you notice that your windows have become drafty, that could be indicative of a number of issues. Drafts can occur when a house shifts and the windows no longer properly fit in a frame. It can also happen when frames wear down or deteriorate over time.

Watch for warping or shrinkage in your windows to ensure you’re not letting in all the cold air and letting out your heat. If your windows were installed recently, be sure that you’ve got some kind of warranty situation that you can hold them accountable for.

You may be able to patch up the area with the draft in the short term, but you should have the window replaced ASAP.

3. Make Sure It’s Not Too Noisy

If you’re noticing that there’s a lot of noise coming from your windows, you could have an issue. Windows should damper the noise coming from the outside to some degree but they can’t solve all of your problems.

If there’s some extra noise pollution and it seems like your windows are closed all of the way, you might be suffering some sagging. Your house might have shifted and your windows are no longer sitting snugly in the place they should be.

Hire a window expert and see if they recommend that you replace them. Noise will usually accompany other issues so if this happens, it could be time to look into buying some replacement windows.

Buy Replacement Windows Soon

If you’re noticing any of the issues laid out above, it might be time to buy replacement windows. As they’re a pretty inexpensive investment overall, don’t skimp when it comes time to replace them. Hire great contractors and buy high-quality windows.

If you want to know more details on how replacing your windows could lower energy costs, be sure to check out our guide.

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How to Get a Wheelchair Accessible Door for Your Home

Have you or a loved one recently needed to start using a wheelchair?

Perhaps you have an elderly parent coming to live with you who uses one. In that case, you will need to make your home wheelchair friendly.

Making your home wheelchair accessible may seem like a huge job, but it doesn’t need to be. A wheelchair accessible door can be installed easily. You can make your home wheelchair friendly easier than you might think.

Let’s look closer at what is needed to make your home more accessible for wheelchairs.

Install a Ramp

If you have stairs leading up to your door, you will need to install a ramp. It will need to be sturdy enough to hold the weight of the wheelchair and the person using it. There should also be guardrails on both sides for safety.

An electric wheelchair weighs more than a regular one, so keep that in mind when you are buying the materials. These do not need to be a permanent fixture and can be locked on when needed, then removed and stored away.

Wheelchair Accessible Door

Your door frame will need to be at least 32 inches wide to accommodate the wheelchair. There are several things that will need to be adjusted along with the door frame.

Electric and Wiring

The light switches beside the door will likely need to be moved over when you resize the door. If you have electric sockets near the door, those will need to be moved. If you have a doorbell outside, that will also need to be refit.

Inside Walls

If your door opens up to a small hallway, a wall, or tiny entryway, it will need to be widened or removed. Otherwise, the chair may have problems making a sharp turn from the doorway.

Hallways

Many older homes have narrow hallways, which can be a problem for the person in the wheelchair. This can mean a lot of remodeling and extra cost.

To avoid remodeling the hallways, the person can use a smaller chair or perhaps a walker inside the home.

Inner Doors

If the wheelchair needs to be used inside the home, you will need to make adjustments to other doors as well. This includes bathroom doors, bedroom doors, and any other doorways that are too small for the wheelchair to get through.

If there is a door for other common rooms, they could be removed altogether and the whole space widened.

Smaller Wheelchairs

If the cost of changing all the doors and hallways in your home is too expensive or too labor-intensive, you can always get a smaller chair for use inside the home.

These are foldable, store easily, and are designed for easy travel through the home.

Open Door Policy

You can replace your current door with sliding glass patio doors or install double doors. Either one will look great and not take up too much time or cost.

It’s not difficult to fit a wheelchair accessible door in your home. Please contact us for more information, an estimate, or any other questions you may have.

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