Annual Window and Door Maintenance
Regular maintenance will help keep your windows and doors operating smoothly. Use this checklist as an annual maintenance reminder.
• Examine the window and door interior and exterior finishes. Occasional repair to a damaged finish may be necessary.
• Do not let paints, stains and varnishes come in contact with the weather strip. Solvents can damage the weatherstrip’s performance.
• Trim any old, loose caulking and seal any gaps with an appropriate, high-quality caulk. • Occasionally, an excess of silicone sealant, called “squeeze-out,” appears around the edge of the glass. You can safely scrape off “squeeze-out” with a plastic putty knife without damaging the weather-tightness of your window or door.
• Make sure all exposed hardware screws are tightened securely. Apply a dry lubricant to the windows’ gears to keep them operating smoothly.
• Clean sand, dirt or dust from door and window hinges, sills and tracks.
• Check doors for smooth operation.
• Location plays an important role in how often you clean and maintain the exterior of aluminum clad windows and doors. A coastal home exposed to harsh elements may need cleaning four or five times a year, while in a drier climate, once or twice a year may be sufficient.
Safety Precautions
• Be careful when using ladders.
• Wear protective eyewear and clothing.
• When working with primers, paints, stains, cleaning solutions, etc., follow all manufacturers’ instructions for safe use and disposal.
How to Remove Labels from Glass
• Labels and adhesive residue should be removed from glass as soon as possible after installation. • If a label does not release from the glass easily, use an approved cleaning solution to help remove it.
• Do not remove labels while exposed to direct sunlight.
• Do not let cleaning agents come into contact with weather strips or finishes, as they could cause damage.
How to Clean Glass
• Avoid cleaning glass while it is in direct sunlight, especially tinted and coated surfaces, to prevent streaking.
• Start cleaning windows at the top of the building and continue to lower levels. • Soak the glass surface with clean water to loosen dirt and debris. Make sure no abrasive particles remain on the glass, then apply an approved cleaning solution with a non-abrasive cloth or other applicator.
• Quickly remove the cleaning solution with a squeegee, taking care not to allow metal parts of cleaning equipment to touch the glass surface.
• Avoid any cleaning product that has a strong chemical base or a high alcohol content, as chemical reactions could damage components.
• Wipe any remaining traces of cleaning solution from glass and other parts of the window and frame. Windows, including their parts and frames, are susceptible to deterioration if left damp. • Some windows have an energy panel, often confused with a storm window. An energy panel is a removable, exterior glass panel and can be cleaned in the same way as other parts of the window. • Do not use abrasive cleaning solutions or materials, do not allow metal parts of cleaning equipment to touch the glass, and do not use scrapers of any kind.
How to Remove Labels from Glass
• Labels and adhesive residue should be removed from glass as soon as possible after installation. • If a label does not release from the glass easily, use an approved cleaning solution to help remove it.
• Do not remove labels while exposed to direct sunlight.
• Do not let cleaning agents come into contact with weather strips or finishes, as they could cause damage.
How to Clean Screens
• Carefully remove the screen and lay it on a flat, clean area.
• Remove any dust by lightly spraying the screen with water from a hose or vacuuming with a soft brush extension.
• Instead of drying with cloth, let the screen air-dry completely before reinstalling. For doors, remove and replace screens from the exterior.