Fall is here, which means it’s time to get started with your home maintenance tasks for the winter season. Your low-maintenance patio doors, in particular, may be needing some love and care.
Remove and Put Away the Insect Screens
Insect screens are not usually needed during winter as your patio doors will be closed most of the time. Exposing your insect screens to cold weather could result in cracking and corrosion. Insect screens tend to gather dust and dirt when in use, so you should take this opportunity to clean your insect screens before putting them away.
Give Your Patio Doors a Wash
Low-maintenance patio doors can be cleaned with household dish detergent mixed with water. In addition to making it easy to scrub out dirt on the glass and frame, dish soap makes the glass surface slicker, making it easier to use a squeegee for removing excess water. Anything stronger like ammonia-based products can damage the glass or frame as well as the surrounding deck or patio material. If patio doors are near landscaping, consider using eco-friendly dish soap.
Apply Lubrication to the Door Hardware Once a Year
All moving parts of a patio door, such as locks and hinges, may require lubrication to ensure smooth operation and less wear. A silicone-based lubricant is ideal for most types of door hardware as it doesn’t gather dust and dirt like oil-based lubricant does. Make it a point to check the patio door care and maintenance guide for recommended lubricants. Take care not to apply lubricant to electronic devices installed on or near the patio doors.
Check Caulk Joints and Weatherstripping
Caulk joints and weatherstripping help ensure an airtight seal, and they tend to get worn out over time and exposure to the element. Caulk, as well as most weatherstripping installed using adhesive, need to be installed at certain temperatures, which makes the fall season the perfect time to replace them if worn out.
Renewal by Andersen® of Boise is your leading provider of ENERGY STAR® windows and patio doors. Give us a call at (208) 501-8361. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.