The clock’s ticking on your summer home maintenance list! Summer never feels long enough, especially when you have a laundry list of home maintenance jobs that you’re trying to squeeze into busy weekends full of beach trips, patios, and summer fun. But keeping up with maintenance pays dividends when it comes to your home’s value and comfort.
Properly maintained, functioning windows will help you stay cool this summer. Energy efficient windows are better insulated to keep air conditioning inside and use low-emissivity glass to minimize UV rays from the sun that can heat up your home quickly.
To get the most out of energy efficient windows in the summer, you need to make sure they’re in good condition and properly installed to enjoy all the benefits they provide.
A bit of routine maintenance will help you make sure your windows are in tip-top shape. If they’re not, Casa Bella has you covered when it comes to windows and doors in Mississauga, Brampton, Richmond Hill, Toronto, and the GTA.
Window Cleaning
With the nice weather outdoors, now is your chance to give those windows a good cleaning. They’ve been collecting dirt, dust, air pollution, bird droppings and more all year long. If they’re starting to look like they’re glazed in a white film, it’s time to clean them off.
You’ll need about 5 to 10 minutes per window, so find a weekend afternoon when you can make this part of your clean-up routine. Try these tips for cleaning windows:
- Choose a day with cloud coverage but no rain, as the hot sun can bake cleaner right into your windows.
- Brush away dirt and grime from the window sill that will turn into a thick mud once you start cleaning. You can also spray down the window screen.
- Consider using a microfiber cloth instead of a squeegee if you want to avoid making a mess, though they work well for large picture windows.
Summer Maintenance Tips
#1 Replace Old Windows
If your windows are old, leaky, and drafty, the best thing you can do is call Casa Bella about window replacement in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Richmond Hill, and the rest of the GTA.
If replacing your windows is on your To Do List, there are a lot of good reasons to make it a top priority while the weather is nice. When you replace your windows, you open up your home to the elements. Waiting until the fall or winter might mean freezing your family out of the house. The cold weather can also prevent you from getting the best seal possible, as some caulking will struggle to adhere in the cold unless proper measures are taken to ensure the tightest possible installation.
It just makes sense to tackle this kind of job while the weather outside is sunny and warm.
#2 Check Your Weather Stripping
Weather stripping is the airtight material that insulates the space between the sash and the pane. Over time, age, friction, and harsh weather conditions can deteriorate the material, leading to water leakages when it rains, drafts, and decreased energy efficiency.
When holes appear in your home’s envelope, it becomes harder to control the climate indoors. Air-conditioned cool air escapes while outdoor humidity creeps inside. In the winter, your furnace will have to work extra hard to keep things comfortable if warm air is constantly seeping outside.
#3 Remove Winter Debris
Throughout the winter, dirt and debris inevitably build up in the window sill. Fallen twigs, leaves, dirt, and other debris in your window sill can prevent the window from closing as tightly as it should, and that can hurt your energy efficiency. One of the easiest ways to keep your windows working efficiently is by wiping away this debris. It will also make your home look nicer and cleaner.
#4 Check for Water Damage
Check the seals of the windows around your home. Signs to look for include:
- Moisture damage such as soft wood around the sill
- Peeling or bubbling paint
- Mold growth, which can appear black, brown, or spotty
- Discoloration and yellow or brown staining
- Musty odors that you can smell before the damage becomes visible
If you don’t get around to all of this, don’t worry. You can also do window maintenance in fall, and it’s a good time to do a thorough inspection before the snow falls. Make sure your windows are in good working order before the cold weather happens.
