During the warm summer months, your Cincinnati home depends on durable window screens to keep insects and other pests out of your home while you have your windows open. Few people give their window screens much thought throughout the year, but come summer it becomes maintaining window screens becomes very important if you want to enjoy some fresh air.
Here are a few tips that can keep your window screens healthy year round:
Window screens are made of very fine wire woven together. Over time, dirt and debris builds up in the tiny holes which reduces the flow of clean air through the screen, and gives your windows a dirty appearance from the outside. In addition, dirt buildup can cause rust and discoloration of your screens. The best way to keep your screens debris free is to clean them in the spring. All you need is a soft bristle brush and a bowl of warm soap and water. You can remove the screen from the window frame and lay it flat so you can gently scrub the entire surface, front and back. While you’re at it, clean around the edges of the screen and inspect the seal that holds your screen in place for any signs of damage.
After you have reinstalled your screen, you can continue to keep the screen material clean with the help of a small vacuum attachment. Without removing the screen, you can gently vacuum the screen from the inside and remove any dirt before it has a chance to build up. This should keep your screens in good shape until next spring when you scrub them again.
If a falling tree branch or other flying debris has torn a hole in your screen, don’t worry. Your local hardware store carries patch kits for screen material in different sizes. Typically, if the hole is smaller than the diameter of a quarter, it can be easily patched using one of these kits. Patching small holes will guarantee that they don’t continue to grow or invite insects into your home, and saves you from having to buy a whole new screen.
Maintaining window screens only takes a few minutes throughout the year. A quick scrub and regular vacuuming will go a long way towards preserving the airflow and appearance of your screens. Patching any small holes will also increase the lifespan of your screens and give you a chance to inspect for any other damage to the seals.
If it is time for new windows for your Cincinnati home, contact Renewal by Andersen Cincinnati today! Our window specialists will help you find the perfect window/screen combinations and let you take advantage of the warm weather.
