There is nothing like outdated or damaged windows to put a damper on your home maintenance. Now, you need to have your window repaired or replaced before water and pests get inside your home.
Luckily, there are steps you can take to preserve your windows. Use the following tips to make the windows on your home last for a long time.
1. Clean Your Windows Regularly
Regularly cleaning your windows is a great way to extend their life for many years. By cleaning your windows regularly, you are keeping dust and dirt from building up on the glass and frame. It is important to clean all parts to prevent a window jamb, including the sash, track and frame. Even dusting your windows every week or every other week can help them to last for a long time, so be sure to stay on top of your routine cleaning schedule.
2. Inspect Your Windows Frequently
It is important to inspect your windows frequently to ensure they are still intact. You want to inspect all parts of your windows for moisture, cracks, rotting, rusting and other forms of damage.
With frequent inspection, you can have your windows repaired before the problem becomes worse. You also need to inspect them for dust and dirt to ensure you did not miss anything during your regular cleaning.
3. Repair Them As Needed
If you notice any damage to your windows, sash, or frame, you need to have these elements repaired immediately. There may be cracks or worn-out seals that are letting drafts into your home, or your metal or wood window frame may be rusted or rotted.
It is also important to ensure your window does not have a crack or chip in the glass. Failure to stay on top of repairs could lead to a full window replacement.
4. Add or Update Weatherstripping
You need to add or update the weatherstripping to keep the cold air, heat, moisture, rain and snow from leaking into your home. These elements may cause rusting, rotting and water damage to your window frames.
Weatherstripping also allows you to lower your energy bills so, make sure to inspect them routinely. If you do not have any weatherstripping, now is the time to add it to your windows.
5. Repaint the Window Frames
You can also preserve your windows by repainting the metal or wood frames every three to four years. In fact, a fresh coat of paint is a simple way to extend the life of your windows. Repainting the frames does more than just update the appearance of your home.
It is actually an important part of maintaining the frames of your windows. The paint protects the material of your frames from wind, water, and hot and cold air.
6. Look into Glass Coating
If you want to go the extra mile when caring for your home, look into a company that offers glass coating for windows. For example, a hydrophobic coating is great for making your windows look cleaner while extending the life of the glass.
Glass coating is also easy to maintain, so you do not have to worry about any extra tasks for your windows. Additionally, glass coating is a cost-effective solution that works for most budgets
7. Do Not Pressure Wash Your Windows
It is also important to know what not to do when maintaining your home. One example is pressure washing, which is something you want to avoid when cleaning your windows. Pressure washing can damage the window seal because it is heavier than an ordinary hose.
A broken seal on a double-pane window leads to fogginess or condensation because the inert gas has escaped from between the panes. In some cases, the pressure may even damage the glass of your window.
Conclusion
Extending the life of your windows is not difficult or impossible. It just requires regular inspection and maintenance, and you need to stay on top of possible repairs. The last thing you want is a window replacement that may not be within your timeframe or budget.
Also, read:Â These Are The Worst Pests to Ever Have In Your Home

Author: Hannah Boothe
Hannah Boothe is a freelance writer native to Northern California who spends her free time developing herself. Hannah enjoys the outdoors, she goes hiking whenever the weather permits and enjoys practicing yoga. She carves out time to journal and read whenever she can. She loves adventure and connecting with those around her.