Why Spring Is the Sweet Spot
Mild, dry weather makes spring the easiest time of year to inspect, clean and treat your windows. Spotting small issues now means avoiding emergency call-outs when the autumn rains arrive. Here's the checklist we give our own customers.
1. Clean the Frames Properly
Warm soapy water and a soft cloth - never bleach, scouring pads or solvent cleaners on uPVC. They strip the protective layer and yellowing follows within months.
2. Check the Drainage Slots
Every uPVC window has small drainage slots along the bottom of the outer frame. Clear them with a cocktail stick. Blocked slots cause water to back up and rot the timber inside.
3. Lubricate the Hinges and Locks
A drop of light machine oil (3-in-One) on each hinge pin and a smear of silicone grease on the lock mechanisms. Avoid WD-40 - it dries out and leaves a sticky residue.
4. Test Every Handle and Lock
Open and close every window. Stiff handles, soft "clicks" or wobble are the early signs of failing espagnolette mechanisms. Caught early they're a £40 fix; left, they cause lockouts.
5. Inspect the Rubber Seals (Gaskets)
Look around the inside of each opening sash. Black rubber that's cracked, shrunken or pulled away lets in draughts and water. Replacement gasket runs about £3 a metre and any handy DIYer can fit it.
6. Spot the Early Signs of Blown Units
Look for any haze, micro-droplets or rainbow shimmer between the panes - especially on south- and west-facing windows. Catching a blown unit now prevents permanent mineral staining inside the glass.
7. Check the External Sealant
Walk round the outside. The bead of silicone between the frame and the brickwork should be intact and flexible. Cracks or gaps are a direct route for water into your wall.
8. Wash the Glass on a Cloudy Day
Direct sun causes streaks. Use a squeegee top-to-bottom, then buff with a microfibre cloth. Add a tablespoon of white vinegar to the water for a streak-free finish.
9. Book Anything You Can't Fix Yourself
If you've ticked off issues 4, 5 or 6 above, get them sorted before summer holidays. Lead times shorten in spring and lengthen as autumn approaches.
Free Spring Health Check
Across Essex and East London, we offer a free 15-minute window health check during April and May. We bring the silicone, the spare gaskets and the honest opinion - no obligation to book any work.