Windows and doors
Clean frames and seals, lubricate hardware with a product the manufacturer approves, and make sure sashes close without effort. Replace worn seals without waiting for the cold.
Care
Care and upkeep
A home wears out gradually and usually gives you fair warning: a sash starts letting in cold air, a faucet starts to drip, a dark spot appears in the corner by the window. If you walk through the main parts of your home once a season and take a careful look, a small problem doesn't have time to grow into a major repair. Below is a guide by part of the home and by season. Check specific care methods against the instructions from the manufacturer of the window, appliance or material.
A drip under the faucet and a chill by the frame aren't trifles; they're notes your home sends you ahead of time.
How this section works: the advice is general, with no brands, models or product names. We don't walk through complex jobs; instead we say plainly when it's time to call a professional.
Care by part of the home
What to look at during a seasonal walk-through.
Ventilation
Keep kitchen and bathroom grilles clean, and wash or replace range hood filters as the manual says. If the draft stops completely, let your building management know.
Plumbing and valves
Every so often, take a flashlight and look under the tub and sink to make sure it's dry. Know where to shut off the water and check that the valves turn; a leaking joint is a job for a plumber.
Radiators
Dust them and don't block them with furniture or heavy curtains. In an apartment building, the riser valves and heating system adjustments are handled by the building management.
Heating season (in Russian)
Floors
Clean them the way the flooring allows, and don't leave puddles by the front door in winter. A mat and a spot for wet boots protect the entryway floor from salt and meltwater.
Balcony
In spring, inspect the floor, railing and frame, and clear debris from the drain if there is one. Don't put anything on the railing, and don't store things on the balcony that could fall or get soaked.
Roof and gutters of a house
Inspect the roof, gutters and downspouts from the ground, especially after the leaves fall and after strong winds. Hire professionals to clean gutters at height and for any roof repair.
Care by season
- In spring, give the house a good airing, wash the windows, and check the balcony, exterior sills and any signs of leaks after the snow melts.
- In summer, air out the bathroom and storage closet more often, clean the vent grilles and make sure the sun isn't fading textiles by the windows.
- In fall, get windows ready for the cold, clear the radiators, check the valves and look over a house's gutters from the ground.
- In winter, watch for condensation on windows and in corners, air the rooms briefly but thoroughly, and wipe moisture off the window sills.
Care by situation
- Moisture under the sink: shut off the water and call a plumber.
- Windows fogging up and corners darkening: air the rooms more often and check that nothing is blocking the radiator.
- Ventilation stopped drawing: clean the grille, and if that doesn't help, let your building management know.
- Visible roof damage on a house after strong winds: don't climb up; call a roofer.
- Planning to work near outlets or light fixtures: switch off the power first.
- You smell gas: don't touch any switches, open the windows, leave the premises and call the gas emergency service.
Read next
- How-to
How to get windows ready for winter, clean the range hood filter and vent grilles, and test a smoke detector.
- Tools
What to keep on hand for seasonal home care, from a stepladder and brushes to weatherstripping, a flashlight and a hygrometer.
- Planning
A yearly home plan: which jobs to leave for spring, summer, fall and winter, how to keep a chore list and how to share tasks as a family.
What we rely on
- Manufacturer instructions for windows, appliances and equipment
- General household fire safety guidelines
- Kissdesign editorial materials
Everything on Kissdesign is general guidance based on manufacturer instructions for windows, appliances and equipment and on household fire safety rules. For the specifics of caring for your own window, appliance or detector, see its manual; check with your building management before any work in an apartment building, since rules differ by country; and leave gas, heating, electrical work and roofing to professionals.