Windows and Door Frame Maintenance Tips

If you leave your windows and doors with very little maintenance, you’ll end up having doneto some very expensive replacements. These maintenance tips can help protect and extend the life of your windows and doors. 

Quick Tips for Windows and Door Frames

• Before washing, ensure you vacuum debris and soil from the track or sill
• Use a soap (preferably mild dish-soap) and water mixture to clean door and window frames. Rinse off thoroughly with an absorbent, soft cloth. 
• If you suspect your weep holes of being blocked, then clean them with a small bottle brush. Keep the track area/windowsill free from debris or soil to encourage proper draining.
• Avoid the use of caustic or abrasive soaps, solvents or cleaners as they can damage the finish of your doors and windows. 

Special Considerations insulated and low-E glasses

Giving proper care to your glass window systems is very easy and important today. Insulated glass windows and those with heat-deterrent additives or low-emissive (Low-E) can easily bedamaged or become less effective if not properly cared for.

·     Avoid washing windows in direct sunlight whenever possible

·     Clean the glass with a mixture of water and milddish soap

·     Rinse off with clean water and dry with an absorbent, soft cloth to avoid spotting.

·     Use a soft brush to wash the screens (after you’ve removed them). Do this on a flat surface using a solution of mild dish soapand water. Rinse off, wipe dry and reinstall. 

·     Avoid using chemicals or petroleum-based solvents on the glass as they can cause damage to the insulating glass seal of the window. 

·     Avoid the use of abrasive pads or sharp instruments when cleaning the glass.

·     Do not attach anything like masking tape to the glass. The heat from the sun may bake the adhesive onto the glass.

·     Never wash the windows with high-pressure spray as it can damage the insulating seal.

How to Make Your Doors and Windows Operate Smoothly

Your windows and patio door sashes may require lubrication occasionally so they can operate smoothly and easily. Use lubrication that won’t damage the material used in building the door or window

·     Lubricate all moving parts (including rollers and tracks) regularly. Avoid using silicon spray on plastic parts as it can cause damage. Instead,use furniture polish spray. 

·     Carry out periodic checks on the weather stripping around your door and window sashes to ensure that it is sealing the entire perimeter. 

·     Keep the track area on your sliding windows and patio doors free from soil and debris.

·     Adjust the patio door roller to its proper height so it operates easily. You can get access to the roller adjustment screw via a hole at the corners of the sliding door.

·     Once you’re done with the adjustments, you may need to adjust the lock strike plates. Most strike plates can be adjusted by loosening the screws, adjusting the plates, and tightening the screws back.

·     Check the corners of the screento get access to its roller adjustment screw. Follow the steps you used in adjusting the patio doors to adjust your rolling screens. 

For more tips on maintaining your door and window frames, visit http://www.amscowindows.com/care_maintenance/