When a Kansas blue sky turns an angry shade of green in ten minutes, the winds off the plains test every home in the area. Spring hailstorms in Dodge City, KS, also put a heavy burden on exterior glass and tracks. Keeping exterior glass and tracks in proper shape matters for every home in Dodge City, KS. Charis Window Installation Inc sees plenty of extra glass units taking a beating once the weather kicks up across Ford County.
Extending the Life of Your Exterior Glass
Extending the life of your exterior glass requires attention twice a year. Dust from the fields gets caked into the weep holes faster than expected, especially out toward Twilight Acres where the open ground lets the wind blow hard. Keeping those tracks clear stops moisture from pooling up against the frame during heavy sideways spring rains in Dodge City, KS.
Washing the exterior glass using a simple vinegar and water mix helps keep the surface clean, and checking the latch hardware every autumn before the freeze hits is very important. A drop of lightweight machine oil on the moving parts stops them from seizing up when the temperature plunges below zero overnight in Dodge City, KS.
What Regular Upkeep Looks Like
- Vacuum out dead bugs and dirt from the bottom channels monthly.
- Check the rubber gaskets and weatherstripping for dry rot or shrinking.
- Test the operation by sliding them up and down to make sure there is a tight seal.
Exterior glass frames also need attention regarding sealant. The intense summer sun on the south side of a house bakes old caulk until it cracks right open. Running a fresh bead of exterior-grade sealant along the outer edge keeps drafts outside where they belong in Dodge City, KS.
Warning Signs You Can't Ignore
Fog between the glass layers means the seal has failed. Once that happens, the insulating buffer is lost. If the frame starts rattling loose every time a semi rolls down Wyatt Earp Boulevard, the mounting screws have likely stripped out of the exterior trim. Rust streaks running down your siding from the corners of the frame are another clear red flag pointing to trapped water on homes in Dodge City, KS.
When to Call a Professional
Some maintenance tasks work well with a screwdriver and a tube of caulk, but other times professional help is necessary. If a rogue hailstone cracks a pane right through, or the frame gets warped out of square after a severe wind event, trying to force it will only break more parts. For homes and businesses in Dodge City, Charis Window Installation Inc provides Window Installation services when the damage goes past basic tune-ups, and our team will get your setup squared away before the next front rolls across Ford County.