Windows enhance any room by bringing natural light and ventilation but they can be starting point for disaster. Don’t let your windows be neglected because they can allow pests, weather and other damaging elements to enter your home. To keep from disaster, develop a regular schedule of checking and performing maintenance on your windows. Maintenance is easy if you are consistent.

So, what type of maintenance should you focus on? There are several things you can do at a low price that will enhance your windows and prevent damage of the window and surrounding areas. Let’s take a look at 5 tips you can use to maintain your windows:

-Are your windows sealed from water damage? As weather continues to beat your house and windows, the seal becomes less and less effective. So, it’s important that you check the seal around your windows and maintain it. Use caulk to seal areas around the window frame, especially on the exterior. Even if a certain area doesn’t look bad, it doesn’t hurt to make sure and add some extra caulk to seal the area.

-Use weatherstripping around the movable parts of your window, if you haven’t already. Especially at the base where a window opens and closes. Make sure these areas have weatherstripping to prevent moisture, pests and outside air from entering your home. When you weatherstrip these areas, you will begin to see an increase in your power bill. It may not be large but you will save because outside air is being kept out. Weatherstripping doesn’t have to be replace often as long as you keep it in good condition.

-Check the framing of your windows. Are frames cracked? If so, it might be time to replace the entire frame or to get your tools and fix the frame. The frame of a window is an important component because it also keeps moisture, pests and outside air from entering your home. To maintain window frames, simply remove areas that are rotted, molded and cracked and fill the areas with a wood epoxy. You can also use bleach to cleanse the wood and remove areas of mold.

-Check for cracked glass and replace glass as needed. Glass is more difficult to fix, so it’s better to replace it completely.

-Do a quick paint of your window frames every year to keep frames intact, sealed and protected, and looking nice. This is a small way to keep your windows updated and protected.