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For most people, a home can be the most essential asset that they’ll ever have. Therefore, keeping every part of the home safe and clean by doing crucial preventive maintenance when you see a potential problem should be one of your top priorities.
Take your windows, for example. They’re also the most significant parts of your home because they protect your home from cold and make your place look fancy and beautiful. But the problem is, most people tend to overlook window problems and simply forget to perform some essential maintenance.
Fortunately, there’s something you can do to maintain your windows safe, long-lasting, and elegant. In this blog, you’ll find out the eight common problems you should notice on your windows and the things you can do to prevent them.
You may click here and other online resources if you’re looking to install new windows at your home and fix some window problems.
Drafty Windows
Drafty windows are among the common problems for most people. Because apart from making them uncomfortable, cold drafts can also radically increase their cooling and heating expenses. If you think your window is the cause of a breeze, a straightforward way to identify it is to hold a candle or incense stick near the window. If you notice a movement of cool air from it, then your window may be the cause.
But, there’s also a chance that the cool air is just a natural part of the environment you currently have. It would, therefore, be better to consult a professional if you want to be fully assured.
To avoid drafts, you should ensure your window is locked correctly and closed when you’re not using it to let in the fresh air. Plus, you should check the locks and performance of your window frequently to ensure that they’re still functioning well.
If by any chance, you identify that your window is causing drafts, you can try putting other curtains to minimize the air and window currents that can make you uncomfortable.
Furthermore, to reduce the impact of window drafts, you can try rearranging your furniture. Doing so can improve your home’s comfort, and it’s also a way to create another great view of your place. Lastly, you may consider replacing your window.
Condensation
Condensation happens when the temperature on one side of the window is hugely different from the other side of it. Condensation on windows frustrates most people as it creates an unpleasant appearance and blurs the views outside.
Fortunately, you can reduce or prevent condensation with simple, minor fixes. But, remember that condensation varies from one window to another, which means you’ll have to apply different solutions to each condensation problem.
First, to minimize or avoid window condensation on the inside windows, you should measure the moisture content. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends getting a hydrometer, which you can find at any home improvement store.
After determining the humidity inside your home using the measuring equipment, it’s time to implement preventive measures to decrease the humidity inside your home. These include opening your window, circulating the air inside your house by using ceiling fans, ensuring the proper ventilation in your place, and keeping firewood outside.
Furthermore, exterior condensation mostly happens during the summer months. There are three primary causes of it including little or no wind, a clear night sky, and high outdoor humidity.
Since it’s a natural aspect, outside condensation can simply go away once the sun comes out. But if the condensation of the glass is troublesome, you may consider using a water repellent to the outer part of your window.
Window Rot
Wood rot is one of the common structural problems for most people living in places that experience frequent rain. It’s the disruption of the wood around your window when certain molds or parasites are present. If you want to check whether your windows have wood rot, you can check their openings as they are the primary places that wood rot hits.
Similar to other window problems, window rot has several causes. Apart from fungi, the presence of rain or fog can also be the cause of wood rot. Plus, wood with unique moisture content has more chances of striking by carpenter ants and termites.
For that reason, it’s essential to regularly check for window rot to prevent it from getting worse. You should perform proactive measures to avoid it.
Apart from making sure that your window is in good condition, you should also check your doors and other entrance of your home frequently, especially in those areas of your house where water can penetrate the wood.
Lastly, you should repair any leaks at your home the moment you notice them. For example, if you get window leaks or there’s water gathering around your window, you should immediately repair the seals or caulks in that area. You can also replace it if it’s not fixable.
Leaky Windows
Window leaks can occur for several reasons, such as poor installation and worn parts, causing a failure of sealing components. Apart from frustration, people also experience damage at their homes, such as fungi growth, wood rot, or even foundation issues because of a leaky window.
To prevent this from happening in your house, you should know the other causes of this window problem. Leaky windows can also be because of unsecured caulking, improper fascia boards, cheap glass seal, no paint seal, and lack of overhangs.
In addition, you may consider installing windows with better weather resistance, such as windows with moisture-resistant features, solid multi-chamber subframe parts, and a fusion-welded subframe.
But if you want to do some practical preventive measures to avoid having leaky windows, you can perform an inspection on the drainage on your sliding or hung windows to ensure they’re clean. Moreover, you should make sure the caulking on the exterior window has an unbroken seal and repair or replace it quickly if you see any damage.
If you’ve done all the preventive measures and you’re still experiencing window leaks, you may consider replacing the window along with its frame.
Installing a full-frame window might be costly, but if your current window has damage to the extent that simple home repairs can’t fix it, it could save you a vast deal of money in the long term.
Rattling Windows
Rattling windows are another common problem that most people find frustrating. It occurs when there’s a thundering sound from a truck speeding past your home, or there’s a strong wind.
But apart from annoying, it’s a sign that there’s a problem with your windows, and you must fix it right away to prevent further damage. The good news is that there are numerous steps you can take to stop your rattling windows.
First, a loose windowpane may probably be the reason why windows are rattling. If this is your case, you’ll have to place caulk upon the damaged glass. Applying caulk into the cracks between the frame and the window keeps the glass steady, sealing any gaps present.
After sealing them, you should rub out the extra caulk from your windows and frames using a towel soaked in vinegar.
Moreover, a loose sash is the other common cause of rattling windows. As the windows are open to elements outside, they grow weaker over time, which becomes damaged. The window may no longer suit its track. For that reason, doing some window maintenance should be one of your ultimate priorities to reduce any risk at your home.
Although it’s possible to perform DIY home repairs and improvements, especially if you’ve already done it before, it’s still best to seek professional advice if you want to ensure the efficacy of your methods.
Stuck Windows
There are many causes of a window not closing or opening correctly. These include complications with the tracks, dirtiness, and humidity. Although some window problems need replacement to resolve the issue, you can fix a problem with your window as long as the issue isn’t critical. Take a stuck window as an example.
If you have a hard time closing or opening your window, you can try solving this problem by performing some basic remedies. For instance, you can try wiping the dirt and debris off your window track using brushes and a clean towel.
Using a canister vacuum can also help remove the remaining dirt from tracks. Using such a cleaning tool will ensure the complete cleanliness of your window tracks.
Moreover, if your window gets tight in its tracks, you can lube the tracks along with beeswax or candle wax to allow the window to open and close freely. Remember that before you apply lubricant, there might be existing stale coasts on the window tracks that you’ll have to wipe away first.
Window tracks should be clean and free of dirt. Otherwise, this will hinder the performance of your window regardless of the quality of lube.
If by any chance, your window looks tilted to one side while it’s open, you can try setting it to a horizontal position. Hold up on the slumped side using both hands as you push the other side down to the other side. To ensure you don’t get the window outstretched, you should repeatedly waggle it to check if it’ll stay still.
Mold And Fungi Growth
Another common window problem is the growth of mold and fungi on many people’s windows. Apart from the dusty scent from the mold, it can also cause numerous health issues and lead to structural problems.
The World Health Organization shows a vast deal of information about mold and the typical health risks that it can trigger. These include eye irritation, cold-like symptoms, shortness of breath, headaches, rashes, anxiety, and depression.
To remove or prevent mold and fungi from growing on your windows, you must perform some proactive measures. The good news is that there are safe and practical measures you can take to remove them without putting yourself at risk.
Remember that when you’re planning to remove mold or fungi away from the window, make sure you already have the resources you need. These include cleaning gloves, eyeglasses, a face mask, a spray bottle, and cleaning solutions to remove the mold properly.
Glass Stains
Glass stains, such as hard water stains on windows, are common window problems that most people experience. Water spots develop when mineral-laden water remains on the window to dry instead of being cleaned. When the water evaporates, these minerals are left behind then create stains.
Although rainwater can create spots on windows, other things are the primary causes of hard water stains, such as the water sprinkler close by your windows. Fortunately, you can remove these water spots with almost simple steps.
First, before applying any cleaning solution to remove the water spots, make sure you clean the windows first. After doing that, spray your glass with equal parts of distilled vinegar and water solution. Leave the water and vinegar solution on the glass for a couple of minutes.
Then, re-spray the window again. After that, soak a rough, small towel with the water and vinegar solution and rub the glass with it. The last step is to dry your window with a soft rag. If there are still some water spots on it, consider repeating the process.
Aside from using vinegar and water solution, you can also use baking soda and water to eliminate the water spots on your window. First, you need to create a paste made of a small amount of water and baking soda. Put the paste to a rag and rub the window vigorously.
This motion combined with abrasive elements of baking soda can eliminate the water sports. Next, clean the glass with water. Then finally, use a newspaper and a regular glass cleaner to remove all the excess from the window.
Conclusion
Whether you have fixed or picture windows, it’s crucial to learn more about protecting and maintaining their durability to improve the comfort and beauty of your home. With regular and practical maintenance, you’ll avoid facing severe issues. Additionally, you may consider contacting a professional to inspect any potential structural problems in your house and fix them. Repairing any potential damage right away will avoid further destruction in other parts of your home.
