Among all seasons, winter is probably the most problematic when it comes to maintaining your windows.
First of all, cleaning your windows while shivering because of the cold breeze outside is no fun.
Second, you can’t always decide to clean or do any window maintenance anytime you like. You have to choose the best weather—maybe on a calm winter day—before you start. Or else, you may end up getting sick!
Lastly, it feels like the maintenance never ends. Unlike in summer where you only have to clean your windows once or twice a month, taking care of your windows during the winter should be done more frequently.
Unless you want your windows to get permanent damage, it’s important to be aware of the common window problems you may encounter during winter and how to fix them.
That’s exactly what you’ll learn in this post.
Let’s dive in!
Common Window Problems You May Encounter in Winter (And How to Fix Them)
Leaking windows
Whenever your windows are cooler than the air inside or outside your house, water droplets form. These droplets can appear in and around your window—along the top, sides, and bottom—and may cause damage to your windows.
As you can probably imagine, this happens more often in winter than any other time of the year. Which means you may not be able to avoid it, but you can prevent the damage that it can cause.
Don’t: Wait until winter to check your windows for any cracks, gaps, or rotting wood.
Do: Seal and caulk your windows. If it’s possible, repair rotting window frames even before the cold season starts. If you’re just about to install a new window, make sure that it’s done properly the first time.
Moisture & Condensation
As we mentioned earlier, water droplets form when the window’s temperature is cooler than the air around it. You can also call this “condensation,” when the moisture in warm air turns into liquid and sticks to your window.
If those droplets stick outside your window, it’s probably not bad. This means your windows don’t allow heat transfer from inside to outside. However, if the condensation happens inside your windows, that’s not a good sign. It means that your insulation is not good enough.
Moisture inside your house makes a perfect place for mild and mildew to grow. These bacteria can cause your windows to deteriorate and can be harmful to your and your family’s health. To avoid that, here are some things you might want to do:
Do: Clean your window sills with warm water and soap.
Don’t: Clean your windows without the proper tools and equipment (such as a ladder).
Do: Take steps to reduce condensation in your home.
Don’t: Keep your exhaust fans turned off when you’re cooking or taking a shower. This will allow moisture to build up quickly.
Frost
Moist air inside and cold air outside—that’s how frost on windows builds up. Even though frost adds some character and beauty that nature lovers find attractive, it may cause damage to your windows.
That’s because once frost starts to melt, it becomes moist. And if you’ve read everything up to this part, you already know that moisture can bring about mold and mildew—and both are bad for your windows and your health.
Aside from that, frost can also cause discoloration and paint cracks on wooden windows. So how do you prevent frost buildup?
Do: Run a dehumidifier. Keeping the air inside your home dry prevents frost from forming.
Don’t: Rely on single-paned windows to keep your home insulated.
Do: Use Vinyl Windows or other modern high-performing windows.
Window Warping
With sudden temperature changes, your windows’ construction materials can contract and expand—bending, twisting, or bowing. In some cases, a warped window can be unnoticeable. Which is the main reason why you shouldn’t take it lightly—your windows may get damaged without you knowing it.
Having a warped window can be dangerous to your home. It creates small gaps between your window sash and window frame, which affects the ventilation of your house and allows outside air in and may disrupt your heating and cooling system.
A long-term consequence of a warped window is permanent damage to your windows. Warped windows have a shorter lifespan and reduced functionality. It would be harder to open and close your windows, and soon enough you won’t be able to move them at all.
If the damage is too much you only have two options:
- Replace your window.
- Hire a professional to repair it.
Fortunately, you don’t need to look elsewhere to get your windows repaired or replaced. The experts at XO Windows can help you with everything you need to prevent frost or other problems from happening before the winter comes.
Contact us today 602-455-6616 or complete our FREE estimate questionnaire to get started!