Tips To Give Homes An Annual Checkup

Give your home an annual checkup before the rough winter weather arrives.

Theres no better time than now to give your home the attention it deserves. Give it an annual checkup before cold weather arrives to help add comfort, save energy and cut home maintenance in the long-run.

When inspecting your homes windows and doors, heres what to check:

Inspect interior and exterior finishes: over time, paint and stain can weather away. Flaking or peeling may mean that its time to refinish or replace the unit. When replacing windows or doors, consider factory prefinished wood or fiberglass options from Pella, or vinyl options that dont need painting or staining, to save time and money.

Look for damaged exterior surfaces or signs of leaks: Check your sprinkler system to make sure its watering your lawn and landscape, not soaking your windows or doors. Cracked or deteriorated wood may be a sign of water penetration. Leaks can linger and affect interior walls, floors or ceilings, so look closely for discoloration or other moisture signs.

If you spot a problem, track its trail. For example, discolored trim around a window might actually be caused by moisture entering a ways away. With a leaky roof, water may run down inside the wall and appear at the window. Contact a professional for help in making home repairs.

Clear windowsills and tracks of dirt and debris: Sand, leaves, insects or pine needles stuck in weather-stripping can affect the performance of your windows and doors. Open the windows and clean the opening with a soft brush, like a dry paint brush or vacuum attachment. Do the same for sliding patio doors.

Try opening and closing: Open your windows and doors to make sure moving parts work, and units close properly. Replace worn or broken parts.

Inspect weather-stripping: Re-attach loose weather-stripping around windows or doors, and replace material thats ripped or torn.

Replace or repair broken locks: If locks feel loose or dont work smoothly, replace them. Keep windows and doors locked when not in use. Locks help hold doors and windows tightly, to lock out rain, wind, snow and insects.

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Tips To Give Homes An Annual Checkup