Cold weather invariably brings with it the formation of condensation – water droplets – both on the exterior and interior of your windows. This can be very annoying for homeowners who, in addition to the obscured view, have to put up with water freezing on the glass or falling to drip onto surfaces inside the home.

While exterior condensation – water condensing on the side of the window panes outside your home – is much like dew forming on grass, a product of a difference in temperature between the air and the glass, condensation forming on the glass inside your home is a warning sign that your home is too humid. Left unchecked, these elevated levels of moisture can damage your home and lead to the formation of mold and mildew. Here’s what you can do:

CONTROL THE HUMIDITY

Keep kitchen and bathroom doors closed when cooking or taking a bath or shower to prevent the steamy air from moving into colder rooms and forming condensation. Afterwards, use an extractor fan to vent moisture, and keep it running for 15-20 minutes.

Cover pot lids when cooking or boiling water, and keep other sources of moisture, such as indoor aquariums, covered as well.

Dry your clothes outside whenever you can. If you must dry your clothes indoors, make sure to open windows and doors to reduce excess moisture.

PART I: CONTROLLING INTERIOR CONDENSATION ON WINDOWS

Move plants outdoors and see if that reduces humidity.

Lower the settings on your humidifier if you have one.

ENSURE PROPER VENTILATION

Make sure all gas appliances, clothes dryers, and exhaust fans vent outside your home. Get vents installed for any appliances that don’t already have ways to vent the air outside.

If your windows have insect screens, remove them during winter.

Open windows in frequently-used rooms to allow the air to circulate.

PREVENT MOISTURE FROM GETTING TRAPPED

Open drapes and window coverings when you don’t need them, as these tend to restrict air flow around the windows and increase condensation.

Keep furniture away from walls to let air circulate; a gap of around 50mm is sufficient.

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With the air moving in our homes, it’s time to tackle routinemaintenance how-tos. Stay tuned for Part II!

PART I: CONTROLLING INTERIOR CONDENSATION ON WINDOWS

Your windows are designed to last a long time – with proper care and maintenance, they can last for as long as your home is still standing. Without that care and maintenance, however, you can’t expect your windows to stay in good shape. Here are the most important regular maintenance tasks you should undertake for your windows:

WINDOW SILLS AND TRACKS

Allowing dirt and debris to build up on window sills and tracks will prevent your windows from opening and closing easily. Keeping these areas clean not only prevents difficulty in opening and closing your windows, but can prevent your windows from jamming, too.

WINDOW FRAME, SASH, AND GRILLES

A mild solution of soap and water, applied with a soft rag or brush, is really all you need to clean the window frame, sash, and grilles. In general, the window grilles will detach for easy cleaning. Depending on the type of window you have, you may need to detach the sash to properly clean the window and frame. In certain cases, you may need to go outside to clean the exterior surface of the window.

PART II: WINDOWS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE

CLEANING THE GLASS

The first step in cleaning your window glass is to wipe off loose dirt and grime with a soft, dry cloth. Afterward, using your choice of cleaning solution – mild soapy water, a vinegar-and-water mix, or commercial liquid cleaner – wipe the glass using a circular motion. Remove excess cleaning solution with a squeegee or a clean, lint-free cloth; if you used soap to clean the glass, you may need to rinse the glass off with clear water to remove the last of the soap.

LUBRICATING YOUR WINDOWS

Casement or awning windows will need to have all moving parts lubricated. This includes the locks, hinges, operators, and rollers. Apply a dry lubricant to maintain the ease of operation of the window. Do not use wet lubricants or harsh abrasive cleaners, as these will cause your window to collect dirt and other corrosive particles.

Gliding windows and double-hung side covers may require the use of a dry lubricant, such as teflon or silicone, to make them easier to operate.

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That’s all for regular maintenance, but what are the other things weneed to do to properly care for our windows? More on this in Part III.

PART II: WINDOWS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE

While regular care and maintenance will normally be all you need to keep your windows in good shape, from time to time you may need to go beyond your regular routine to keep your windows functioning properly. Here are some of the more common situations that you might run into.

CLEANING WINDOW HARDWARE

Not everyone will have additional window hardware beyond the window frame and glass, but for those who do, you’ll occasionally need to give those a good once over, too.

Hardware grilles are the most common additional piece of window hardware you’ll encounter. Before cleaning, you’ll need to detach them from the frame first. Make sure to lift the edge of each individual grille leg away from the glass at the edge of the sash. Do not remove the grille by pulling on the grille intersections; this can damage both the grille and the window.

Cleaning hardware is best done by wiping it down with a soft cloth and a mild mix of detergent and water. Avoid abrasive cleaners, cloths, brushes, and harsh chemicals, as these can cause damage to the window and hardware.

PART III: OTHER REPAIRS AND SPOT MAINTENANCE

REPLACING BROKEN WINDOW GLASS

With modern multi-pane window glass, it’s not really feasible to replace the glass yourself; rather, the most expedient way to fix a window with broken glass is to replace the entire window sash. This is best done by contacting a professional window installer; you should not attempt to replace the glass yourself.

Picture windows are an exception to the above rule. Since picture windows don’t have individual sashes, then by necessity only the glass will be replaced.

Locate your window’s serial identification number, which will be printed on your window. By giving this number to your retailer, they can more easily fix you up with the right replacement parts for your window.

Practice proper safety procedures if you have to handle any part of the broken window or glass. Use safety glasses, goggles, or eye shields, and wear gloves when handling broken glass. Should you need to remove the broken glass yourself, tape the broken glass together with duct or filament tape before removing it to reduce fragmentation and avoid injury.

PART III: OTHER REPAIRS AND SPOT MAINTENANCE

Renewal by Andersenof Omaha

2809 South 125th Avenue, Suite 376 Omaha, Nebraska 68144

(402) 891-4800

RbaofOmahaLincoln.com