With spring still several weeks away, you should start planning your home maintenance tasks like window maintenance. Here are some window maintenance habits that you should develop for this year.
1. Don’t equate “low maintenance” with “no maintenance” – This is a common mistake among homeowners who don’t bother to read their window care and maintenance guide. While low-maintenance windows have made keeping windows clean a lot easier, it doesn’t mean you can forget about cleaning them. Low-maintenance windows still require cleaning: they just happen to be easier to clean compared to their traditionally-built counterparts.
2. Always use new squeegees – Squeegees are rubber blades that help remove water quickly from window glass. Being made of rubber, squeegees become rigid and form cracks as they age. Using old squeegees can scratch the glass surface and damage whatever protective coating it has. Fortunately, replacement squeegees are easy to find and purchase online or at physical stores. Choose squeegees that are at least a foot wide for more efficient window cleaning.
3. Use microfiber cloths for wiping window glass – People use a wide variety of materials for wiping their windows, such as paper towels, discarded clothing or old newspapers. Don’t use any of these as they may contain grit that might scratch or gouge the glass surface. Old newspapers can also leave ink stains on the glass, frames and even on the siding. We recommend using microfiber cloths for wiping your windows as they are designed for this purpose: they’re absorbent and washable, and do not retain grit or any other substance that could cause scratches.
4. Don’t let water dry on the glass – Don’t leave water droplets on the glass and frames as they could leave water spots on the surface as they dry. Water spots are caused by minerals and other substances that are present in tap water, which stay on the glass surface as the moisture dries up. Water spots are very difficult to remove. Fortunately, preventing it is easy and is a good habit to have: simply make sure the window glass is completely dry before moving on to the next one.
Twin Cities Siding and Roofing is your leading provider of window installation services and James Hardie® siding. Give us a call at (651) 967-0873. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Minneapolis, MN, and the surrounding communities.
