Children at play, trees blooming in spring, a sail boat in the distance -- these are all things we are hoping to see very soon from the window panes in our homes. No matter the season, our windows provide us with many benefits. Read on to learn more about selecting just the right windows for your home and then how to maintain them for years of viewing pleasure. (Photo courtesy of Loewen Windows)
It’s spring cleaning time! Being a focal point of your home, your windows will need to be near the top of your to-do list so they are clean and clear to optimize the view to the outdoors and give your home spring sparkle.
While you may have some rather large windows in hard-to-get-to-spaces in your home that require professional cleaning, you will likely have a few that you can clean using your own elbow grease. This is also the perfect opportunity for you to evaluate your windows for any wear and tear that needs to be addressed. Beyond being unsightly, left unchecked, dirty windows can lead to other more costly problems down the road.
With this in mind, we’ve created a list of spring to-dos for the care and maintenance of some of your home and garden’s most important features.
Spring Home Maintenance Tips
Do a door and window-by-window inspection, prior to cleaning to check your windows’ ledges, sills, frames and tracks for cracks, wood rot and insect infestation. Scheduled maintenance that includes regular caulking and paint touch-ups are highly recommended for wood. Other window materials such as fiberglass, vinyl and aluminum should also be checked for signs of cracking and condensation/moisture on the inside of the window which can lead to mold growth.
Choose your cleaning product: The big three are traditional glass cleaner, a solution of bleach and water, or plain old soap and water. You will probably want to use a combo of cleaning cloths to get at the dirt and then a squeegee for the effective removal of dirty water from the glass surface.
TOP TIP: For hard-to-reach windows, seal tightly and use a garden hose on spray mist setting to get at them. Use caution, though, as stronger current/nozzle settings may break glass or result in frame damage.
Don’t forget to guard your yard! April showers bring May flowers, or if you're on the Eastern Shore, possibly standing water in your yard! Be sure to clean debris out of your gutters and drain pipes to aid drainage of rainwater away from your home. And, if you want to save on water, consider collecting it in rain barrels that can be recycled for use in your lawn or garden!
Got a question about the best way to maintain an area in your home? When in doubt, ask your builder about how to protect your investment for the long-haul. Contact Lundberg Builders at 410-643-3334 or visit lundbergbuilders.com. Lundberg Builders, Inc. is located at 314 Main St., Stevensville, MD.
