Essential Maintenance Tip for Atlanta Homeowners

There always seems to be two aesthetics for fall… You’ve got the cutesy autumn with your neutrals, your hay bales, your decorative pumpkins, and Hallmark movies. Then you’ve got your spooky season with jack-o-lanterns, cobwebs, graveyard scenes, and scary movies. For both aesthetics, some things always overlap – big comfy sweaters, slippers, and pie. If you don’t like pie… well, you haven’t found the right pie yet. 

That’s beyond the point, though. What we’re getting at is that no matter your aesthetic, there are still things all of us do to prepare for fall. One of those things is getting your home ready for the colder months of the year, and we don’t mean just the fun decor. We mean windows. Worn-out windows means a creaky, drafty, and cold house. Don’t let your windows turn your home into a true haunted house.

#1) Inspect for Cracks and Gaps: Don’t Let the Chills Sneak In

The first step in good window maintenance is always to inspect first. It will probably take you 10 minutes to complete this part. You just walk around your house, run your fingers along the edges of your window frames, and see if there are any ways that cold air might make its way in. If you feel any drafts and you don’t fix them… You’re just asking for the ghouls of fall to come on in – cold air, moisture, and creepy crawlies. 

The good news is that these can be super easy to fix, and you don’t need any superpowers to do so. You grab some caulk, make sure it’s the right color for the job, and seal up any of those gaps where you feel air leaking through. Think of it as securing your fortress, and the best news – no knight in shining armor is required. Though if you have one, make them do it. 

#2) Clean Those Panes: Clear the View for Fall’s Beauty

Atlanta in the fall is truly enchanting. The leaves turn into the fiery hues of golden yellow, burnt orange, and blood-red. There’s that fall magic in the air, and the warming smell of baked goods. That magic falls utterly flat looking through windows that are as cloudy as a ghostly fog or as dirty as a freshly dug-up coffin. Nope, nope, nope. 

Dirty windows are a trick. You may think, “Oh, it’s no biggie,” but in reality, grime can and will weaken your windows. It will eat away at the seals, caulking, and weatherstripping. It will gunk up the mechanisms so your windows creak and grind. Keeping your windows clean not only lets in more of that stunning view, more sunlight(aka free heat), and some of that fall magic, but keeps out the boogeymen of damage like mold and things that buzz past your head at breakneck speeds freaking you out.  

#3) Check Your Weatherstripping: Seal Your Home’s Fort

Weatherstripping is the soldier that draws the line in the sand, and says, “Not on my watch” to the cold, howling wind that blusters outside. If it is missing, worn down, or torn, then it’s time to bring in reinforcements. Just the act of replacing your old weatherstripping can significantly improve your home’s indoor environment. It will replace those chilly, Chamber of Secrets vibes with warm and cozy vibes. In the words of Gandalf the Grey, your weatherstripping will say, “You shall not pass” to all of fall’s chilly winds.

#4) Lubricate Window Tracks: Keep Things Moving Smoothly

We all know that scene in a haunted house movie where the scared, defenseless, naive blonde girl is sneaking around or trying to escape. She opens the door and is trying to be quiet, but then SQUEEEEEK! Boom, que the chase scene. This is what happens when you don’t lubricate things properly. Trust us when we say, you don’t want your windows to become the sequel to that movie. 

Windows, when they aren’t properly lubricated, can go one of two ways. One, your windows will be very difficult to open and close. Or two, your windows will not stay open on their own, and you have to prop them open with a shim of some kind. Not ideal, in either of those situations. So here’s what you do. You give those tracks a good wipe down, be sure to vacuum out any debris, then you apply a little dot of silicone-based lubricant. A little goes a long way. And voila, no more squeaking to alert the bad guys!

#5) Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Windows: Cast a Spell on Your Energy Bills

Have your energy bills been slowly creeping up every year? If not, you probably already upgraded to energy-efficient windows. If your answer is yes, however, it might be time to bibbidy-bobbidy-boo your old windows. What new windows can do for your home is kind of amazing; they have technologies already built into them that help with temperature transfer and air leakage. These are the windows that we specialize in. With the right upgrade, you’ll ward off all the ghostly chills and enjoy all the season’s treats.

#6) Prepare for a Spooky (and Safe) Season

Now that you’ve readied your home for the season, you can enjoy all it has to offer. There’s no longer any need to worry about what’s creeping about outside, whether it’s a cold, howling wind, a creepy critter, or the next serial killer you’ve imagined. Just a little seasonal maintenance and making sure you lock up, and you’ve created a comfy, safe place for yourself. 

So, go ahead, slip into some comfy clothes, light up that fall candle, and crawl into your snuggle spot with a good book or movie, and be secure in your fortress. No goblins, no ghouls. Just autumn leaves and warm, happy vibes. And if you need a little extra help or are considering an upgrade, give us a call at  (470) 275-5159. Let’s face whatever fall throws at you together.