Checklist To Prepare Your Windows For Winter

As winter winds and cold temperatures approach, we begin to think of things we need to do to winterize our home, not only to protect it, but also to make it more comfortable.

We think of things such as:

• putting patio furniture away
• insulating exterior plumbing
• draining your hoses and storing away
• cleaning gutters and downspouts
• making sure our furnaces and fireplaces are in good working order

But do we include our windows on our winterizing list? If you have failed to properly maintain and winterize your windows, it could be a chilly and uncomfortable season in your home because unmaintained windows…

• allow drafts
• allow heat to escape, raising heating costs
• allow moisture to build up and mold growth to begin

So don’t put it off, when the first sign of fall arrives, begin your…

Winterizing Window Checklist

1. Make sure the tracks are clear of dirt, sand, leaves and other debri that will prevent your windows from getting a tight seal when they are closed.
2. Check the weather stripping around your windows to make sure it hasn’t come loose, or is damaged from wear and tear, all of which will allow the cold air in and the warm air out. If it has detached, simply reattach it, or in the case of damage, replace it.
3. Check the caulking around your windows, if it’s peeling away, if it is cracked or has gaps, using a good quality exterior caulk repair and reseal your windows.
4. Check for air leaks and drafts.
   1. A fairly easy way to do this is by burning incense. Make sure all windows and doors are closed so there aren’t any drafts. Light an incense stick and let it begin burning, once it is, move towards the windows, if the smoke from the stick travels toward the window, you will know there is definitely a draft that needs to be taken care of.
   2. Another easy test is to light a candle and hold it near the edges of the window, if the flame flickers, you have air seeping in or out.
5. Check window sills for the possibility of mold growth, which would indicate too much condensation or a leak from bad weather stripping.
6. If you happen to live in a home with window wells, don’t forget to clean out any debris that may have accumulated. You might also consider investing in window well covers that will keep out debris, ice, snow and small critters.

Although this list may seem like a lot, once it’s completed, just think how nice and warm you’ll be in your home when the temperatures drop.

Didn’t get around to cleaning your windows in the summer or fall? Even though it’s winter, it’s not too late!

I have been cleaning windows in the Seattle area for 30 years, and quite frankly, I enjoy it!  I will be happy to answer all of your questions, and I know the mistakes to avoid. I clean private homes or apartment complexes.

Contact me for a FREE Quote.