Care & service
Looking After uPVC Windows Through a Kashmir Winter
In short
Clean frames with a soft cloth and mild soapy water, keep sliding tracks and drainage slots clear, close the sash fully before changing a tilt-and-turn handle, and do not force a sash that feels stiff. Before winter, check that every window closes and locks evenly; ask for an inspection if a handle is stiff, a sash rubs or a seal is damaged.
uPVC windows need very little looking after compared with wood, but a few minutes before and during winter keeps them working smoothly for years.
Before the cold arrives
Walk round the house in autumn and check each window and door:
- Does it close and lock without forcing?
- Is the sash pressing evenly onto its seal all round?
- Are the drainage slots at the bottom of the frame clear?
- On sliding windows, are the tracks clean?
If anything feels wrong, now is the time to call, not in the middle of Chillai Kalan.
Cleaning
- Frames: soft cloth, mild soapy water, wipe dry.
- Glass: ordinary glass cleaner or water with a little vinegar.
- Avoid: abrasive pads, scouring powder, strong solvents and pressure washers on the seals.
Sliding windows and doors
Grit in the bottom track makes sliding stiff and wears the rollers. Vacuum or brush the track out regularly, especially near roads and in dusty months.
Tilt-and-turn windows
Always close the sash fully before turning the handle from one mode to the other. Turning the handle with the sash open is the most common cause of tilt-and-turn problems.
Snow and ice
- Brush snow off sills so meltwater can drain away from the frame.
- Do not chip ice off the frame or the seals with anything sharp.
- If a sash is frozen shut, warm the room and wait; do not force it.
Condensation
Wipe water off the glass and sill in the morning and keep the room ventilated. See why windows run with water in winter.
When to call us
Message us with a photo or a short video if:
- a handle is stiff or loose
- a sash rubs or drops
- a seal is torn or has come out of its groove
- there is mist between the two panes of a double-glazed unit
Questions people ask
How do I clean uPVC window frames?
A soft cloth and mild soapy water, then wipe dry. Avoid abrasive pads and strong solvents.
Should I oil the hardware?
Follow the guidance for your hardware. A little suitable lubricant on moving parts once a year is usually enough. Do not oil the gaskets.
What if a window becomes hard to close?
Do not force it. Message us with a photo or video and we will arrange an inspection.
