Days are getting shorter, and the air is crisper. Those are key signs that the winter season isn’t far off. While curling up inside a warm home may be comforting, don’t forget the essential door and window maintenance tasks that need your attention first. Winterizing your windows and doors is the first step in preparing your home against the coming season. Properly executing this task bolsters your home’s first lines of defense against keeping out the freezing winter air. Here is an essential fall maintenance checklist for Windows and doors.
Get Your Home Winter-Ready: Essential Fall Maintenance for Windows and Doors
Inspect and Repair Weatherstripping
One of the fastest and most effective ways to prepare for winter is to inspect and repair the weatherstripping on your doors and windows. The seal may degrade, crack, or fall off over time, leaving drafts to enter the room. This can send your power bill skyrocketing. If you feel a draft blowing through closed windows or doors, chances are there’s something wrong with the weatherstripping.
Start by looking around your windows and doors. Check for gaps, cracks, or other spaces where the weatherstripping may not seal anymore. Replacing the worn weatherstripping takes minimal time and effort but can make a huge difference in keeping your home warm and cozy this winter.
Check for Drafts and Seal Gaps
Even with the best weatherstripping in place, some cold air will leak past. This is especially true with older windows and doors. These drafts result in cooler temperatures in your home, increasing your heating costs.
Find drafts by holding a lit candle or a piece of tissue near the edges of your windows and doors on a breezy day. You know you have a draft if you see the flame flicker or the paper blowing inward.
Once you’ve located the drafts, seal them with caulk or foam. For spaces with large doors, consider fitting a door sweep. They keep the warm air inside your home and the cold air from creeping under the door.
Clean Windows and Grease Hinges and Tracks
Over time, dirt and other particles collect inside the hinges and tracks of your windows and doors. This can make it difficult to open and close them easily. Use a vacuum to remove dust and debris, then wipe down the tracks using a slightly damp cloth. A mild detergent should cut through any stubborn grime.
After the windows and doors are clean, lubricate the hinges and the trackways to keep them moving smoothly. Use a non-silicone-based spray lubricant for the task. Using silicone lubricants attracts dust and grime. You will notice doors and windows opening and closing more smoothly.
Check and Repair Window and Door Frames
Check the condition of your window and door frames for damage, warping, and rot. Correct any problems you see right away. This will keep them from getting worse during the winter. You can handle minor damage, such as cracks and gaps, with wood filler and caulk.
The more severe damage may require professional restoration work. Replacement of the door or window frame may be necessary. Properly done, maintenance of window and door frames gives your home more aesthetic appeal and enhances energy efficiency.
Make Windows and Doors More Energy-Efficient With Fall Maintenance
If your windows and doors are old and drafty, then perhaps it’s time to upgrade them. Designers create energy-efficient windows and doors to offer maximum insulative properties. Therefore, minimizing heat loss to keep your home comfortable during the cold winter.
When looking for replacement windows this fall, check if they have low U-values and high R-values. This upgrade may cost you a bit of money. However, it makes a worthwhile investment in your home because of:
- The long-term savings on your energy bills
- The improvement in your quality of life and comfort
The Value of A Professional: Fall Window and Door Maintenance
While there’s a lot you can do by yourself to prepare your windows and doors for winter, homeowners tend to undervalue professional maintenance. Bringing in the pros means all potential issues are identified and fixed before they become bigger problems.
Professional maintenance prolongs the service life of your windows and doors. It increases the value of your homeowner experience by keeping your home safe, secure, and energy efficient.
Discount Window and Door of Omaha – Window Replacement Company
At Discount Window and Door of Omaha, we are committed to providing the best quality doors and replacement windows. We employ the most skilled installers to ensure the highest standard of quality service. Our Omaha door and window installers are highly trained, certified industry professionals with years of experience, including some second and third-generation employees.