Your windows can either be a beautiful way to naturally light up your home, providing the cozy feel and warm ambience that makes the space feel welcoming. Or, they can be a drain on your wallet that causes your heating and cooling system to work harder than it should have to. If you’re not sure how your windows are performing, here’s a quick guide that will help you tell when it’s time for window replacements.

Common Window Maintenance Problems

Our window company sees a lot of different situations. Inflated energy costs are just one of the tell-tale signs that it’s time for new windows. Even small leaks caused by warped seals or physical damage to the window features can lead to serious bug or moisture problems for your home. 

Watch out for:

  • Physical Damage
  • Drafts
  • Water Leaks
  • Broken Seals
  • Warped Frames
  • Rotten Wood
  • Faulty Safety Features

How to Find Air Leaks

Often, a simple visual inspection of the window is going to help you identify trouble. The presence of moisture around the window or the tactile presence of air movement like a cold draft indicates a problem that warrants further inspection. If you’re unsure, you can also place a piece of paper over the window to detect air movement.

Solutions for Window Air Leaks

While new window installations by a professional window company are the best way to effectively solve a leaky window problem, it may take time to get the work done. In the meantime, there are a few DIY options that you can use to stop the leak until the proper repairs are made. 

Many homeowners rely on weatherstripping, which is a gummy rope that can be molded around the seal of a window to reinforce it and seal up leaks. Unfortunately weatherstripping may not be fully effective in all climates or weather conditions and it limits the use of your windows since it may need to be removed in order to open the window. 

A slightly more durable option is to use caulk to seal up any leaks. The downside here is that caulk can be challenging to apply. You may end up making a mess that more closely resembles a kindergarten art project. And that leaves one final DIY option–window films. These are fairly easy to apply, but pricey. In comparison, a new window is still the best option on the table.

Final Thoughts

Your windows do a lot for your home. And, they’re an easily overlooked source of rising energy costs. Don’t neglect your routine maintenance. As you clean your windows in the Spring or Fall, look for signs of air leaks and take a few steps to seal things up. If you need a call the professionals at Legacy Remodeling in Pittsburgh. We can help you address your window maintenance issues with quality work and premium windows.