Care & Maintenance
Keep them working like new
A little care each spring and fall keeps your windows and doors sealing tight, operating smoothly and covered by your warranty.
Why it matters
Weather takes its toll
Your windows and doors face weather, dirt and debris every day. Regular maintenance keeps them performing at their best and extends the life of every moving part.
At a glance
Your maintenance schedule
Clean
- Wash glass, frames and door slabs
- Clear tracks, sills and drainage holes
- Clean hardware with mild soap and water
Inspect & lubricate
- Check exterior caulking and sealed joints
- Lubricate hinges, locks, rollers and operators
Prepare
- Remove interior screens for the season
- Grease door weatherstrip and sweep to stop freezing
Replace
- Door weatherstripping and sweeps
- Other wearable door parts, depending on use and exposure
Exterior caulking
Windows and doors · once a yearCheck that it
- Still touches both surfaces it joins
- Hasn't shrunk or cracked
- Hasn't fallen out anywhere
If it needs replacing
- Clean off as much old caulking as you can
- Apply a good quality, window-grade exterior sealant
Vinyl windows
Clean spring and fallCleaning
- Glass: mild soap and water, or a proper glass cleaner
- Vinyl: soft cloth, mild soap and warm water
- Hardware: mild soap and water, rinse well, dry before lubricating
- Keep tracks and drainage holes clear at all times
Lubrication
| Operating arms | Lithium grease |
|---|---|
| Hinges, locks & rollers | Silicone lubricant |
Screens
- Remove interior screens in winter to prevent damage and let air reach the glass
- Vacuum with a soft brush, or wash gently with mild soap and water
Avoid
- Abrasive cleaners
- Harsh chemical cleaners that can strip coatings and damage components
Entrance doors
Clean twice a year · lubricate yearlyCleaning
- Wash glass, slabs and frames at least twice a year
- Use warm soapy water or a non-abrasive cleaner on glass, steel and vinyl
- Keep sill drainage tracks clear at all times
Lubrication
- Lubricate hinges and locks at least once every 12 months
- A quick spray of a lubricant like Jig-a-Loo does the job
Door frozen shut?
Like a car door, an entrance door can freeze to its weatherstrip in very cold weather. Before a cold snap, wipe a thin layer of Vaseline or grease onto the weatherstrip and sweep.
Manufacturer guides
Patio doors & skylights
These products have their own care instructions from the manufacturer.
Care & Maintenance Package
Let our technicians handle it
Our annual care package covers all the yearly maintenance on your windows and doors, done by our own service technicians to keep everything in prime operating condition. Pricing is based on your house package.