Window Cleaning · November 9, 2023 · By Busy Bee

Preparing Your Windows for Winter: A Comprehensive Guide

Winter in central Massachusetts is long, gray and hard on a house. Your windows take the brunt of it: wind-driven sleet, road salt carried on the breeze, and months of condensation on the inside of cold glass. A bit of preparation in October and November pays off all season long, both in comfort and in how well your windows hold up over the years.

Clean the Glass Before the Cold Sets In

Daylight is scarce from December through February, so every bit of it counts. Glass coated with summer pollen, spider webs and hard-water spots blocks a surprising amount of light and makes rooms feel dimmer than they need to be. Washing windows is also far easier when temperatures are still above freezing, since cleaning solution and rinse water can freeze on the pane once the thermometer drops.

Late fall is one of our busiest windows of the year for exactly this reason. Our team handles inside and outside glass, frames and sills, and we use water-fed poles for upper floors so there is no need to lean a ladder against the siding. Learn more on our residential window cleaning page.

Inspect Seals, Caulk and Weatherstripping

Once the glass is clean, take a slow walk around each window. Look for cracked or shrinking caulk where the frame meets the siding, gaps in the weatherstripping along the sash, and any spots where paint is peeling on wooden sills. Hold the back of your hand near the edges on a breezy day; if you feel a draft, that seal needs attention.

Watch for fogging between panes

If a double-pane window looks cloudy between the layers of glass, the seal has failed. No amount of cleaning will fix that, but it is good to know before winter so you can plan a repair or replacement.

Deal With Screens and Tracks

Screens left in place all winter collect ice and grime, and the mesh can stretch or tear under snow load. Many homeowners prefer to pull them in the fall, clean them and store them flat in a garage or basement. While the screens are out, vacuum the window tracks and wipe away the grit that collected over the summer. Clean tracks let sashes close tightly and lock properly, which reduces drafts.

If any screens came out bent or torn, we offer screen cleaning and repairs so they are ready to go back in come spring.

Manage Indoor Condensation

Moisture on the inside of the glass is common on cold mornings, but constant puddling on sills can lead to mildew and rot. A few habits help:

• Run bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans during and after use.
• Open blinds and curtains during the day so air circulates against the glass.
• Wipe sills dry when you see water collecting.
• Keep humidifiers at moderate settings in rooms with lots of glass.

Do Not Forget the Gutters Above

Windows and gutters work as a team. When gutters clog, overflow water sheets down the face of the house, staining glass and soaking frames. In winter that overflow can freeze into heavy icicles right above your windows. Scheduling a fall cleanout alongside your window service keeps that water moving where it belongs.

Ready to get your home winter-ready? We offer free estimates and no long-term contracts. Book your free estimate or find more seasonal advice on the blog.