Window maintenance

Window maintenance takes an hour or two a year, and it keeps double glazing working for decades. Clean the frames and glass, oil the moving parts, clear the drainage holes and check the seals. That matters because most problems that end in a new window start with jobs nobody did: stiff hinges, failed seals and water in the frame.

Window maintenance once or twice a year

• Wash the frames. Warm water and a little washing-up liquid. Avoid scouring pads and solvents, which dull uPVC and damage paint.
• Clean the glass. A soft cloth or squeegee. Self-cleaning glass needs only water.
• Oil the hinges and locks. A light machine oil on friction hinges and locking points keeps them moving. Wipe off the excess.
• Clear the drainage holes. Small slots along the bottom of the frame let rainwater out. Clear them with a pipe cleaner, because blocked drains leave water sitting against the glass unit.
• Check the gaskets. The rubber seals round the sash should be soft and seated. Push any loose sections back in.

Window maintenance by material

uPVC needs the least. So clean it, oil the hardware and leave it. Don’t paint it unless you use a system made for uPVC. See uPVC windows.

Aluminium is similar. However, wash the powder-coated finish more often near the sea, because salt can mark it. See aluminium windows.

Timber needs the most. Check the paint or stain every year, touch up any chips before water gets in, and recoat the whole window every few years. Pay attention to the bottom rail and the sill, where rot starts. See timber windows.

Resealing round the frame

The silicone between the frame and the wall keeps rain out of the gap. Over time it shrinks, cracks or comes away. When that happens, cut out the old sealant, clean and dry the joint, then run a new bead. Use a low-modulus neutral-cure silicone, which suits uPVC, aluminium and painted timber and doesn’t attack the frame. On high windows, leave it to a window fitter.

Signs it needs more than maintenance

• Mist between the panes: see misted double glazing.
• A sash that has dropped and catches the frame, which usually means worn hinges.
• Draughts that stay after you’ve reseated the gaskets.
• Soft timber, or uPVC that has warped.

Hinges, gaskets, handles and glass units are all replaceable parts, so a sound window can usually be put right. The guide to repairing or replacing windows helps you decide. For a misted unit, a replacement typically costs £90.

Doors

The same jobs apply to doors: oil the multipoint lock and hinges, and keep the threshold drainage clear. Composite doors need only a wipe down. The Glass and Glazing Federation publishes further homeowner advice on looking after windows and doors.