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| Cleaning
and Lubricating: |
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On
storm windows, aluminum and vinyl tracks dirt has a
tendency to build up causing the windows to bind and not
open smoothly. You
want to clean the tracks on the windows first with a
hand vacuum, and old toothbrush to remove the dirt.
Next, clean the weather stripping with a
household cleaner, then wash and wipe away the dirt.
Some cleaners contain solvents that will damage
vinyl-clad windows.
Before using, test the cleaner on a small hidden
area of the window first.
If
your windows bind, due to paint on the weather
stripping, soap will remove paint from vinyl weather
stripping as well as metal and plastic runners.
Once
you’ve cleaned the window track, coat it with wax or
soap.
Since wax is waterproof it last longer.
For windows with metal edges, which run on metal
tracks, use a lubricant such as: penetrating oils,
silicone spray, and powdered graphic.
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| Caulking
and Weather-Stripping: |
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Most people think about weather-stripping and caulking
windows a project that should only be done in the fall
or winter. However,
if you live in a warm climate, you don’t want all your
air-conditioned air, cooling the great outdoors.
Therefore, its good to check the caulking and
weather-stripping around your windows in the spring as
well.
When buying caulk, always purchase colors that match
your home exterior.
You can estimate half a cartridge per window and
an extra cartridge to fill in gaps around your vents,
pipes, and other openings.
You also want to purchase clear caulking to apply
around the interior of your windows for added
protection.
When
buying weather-stripping, metal and metal-reinforced is
always more durable than products made strictly of
rubber, plastic, or foam.
It is important however to know that plastic,
rubber, and foam weather-stripping has a wide range of
quality.
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