Sash windows are constantly affected by severe weather conditions. They quickly collect all kinds of dirt on their surface. That is why windows need to be washed as often as possible. This procedure not only preserves the original look of these irreplaceable parts of your house but also increases their durability. In addition, the procedure for washing structures contributes to a more accurate assessment of their condition. Indeed, timely detection of defects is the key to the further effectiveness of these products.
Your timber sash need regular caring and cleaning to keep their presentable and efficient condition. Both external and internal parts of windows require careful maintenance. To make your home shine, buy only suitable products. Our experts will give you some advice on how to clean old wooden windows. Fitting new double-glazing to traditional and feature wooden sash windows requires experienced craftsmanship. Scott James provides solutions to the challenges of Sash window double glazing in Essex.
How to care for wooden windows?
Wooden items are still found in many houses, especially older buildings of certain architectural value. Wooden windows can be covered with high-quality paint that is safe for human health. Over time, the paint applied to the surface of the frame is destroyed. This is due to bad weather and other unfavourable external factors. In the absence of the regular maintenance, it might lead to the inability of the use of frames.
Caring and cleaning for your timber windows are not always easy tasks, as only special wet processing options are suitable for this. Usually, the surface of wooden windows is cleaned in two stages. This is the cleaning and subsequent washing of frames.
The main task is to wash off all the dirt outside the frame. It is very important to clean the horizontal frame strip separating the upper and lower segments. After finishing the procedure and to minimize the risks of cleaning wooden windows, try to find all dirt.
Very often, after the end of wet cleaning, there are still stains on the wooden surface and window glass. To get rid of them, place a jet of water about halfway to the top of the frame so that the spray doesn’t reach the top. Then position the brush about two inches from the top of the glass, thoroughly rinsing that area. Only then should you proceed to the processing of the lower segment of window panels.
All this is done so that the dilapidated base of the wooden window doesn’t cause dirt to appear on the glass. Thus, you will definitely need to follow the steps below to perfectly carry out caring and cleaning your timber:
- rinse the frame thoroughly;
- be careful when working with one-layered windows — they should be washed only with warm or cool water, paying special attention in cold weather;
- additionally rinse the lower part of the glasses to avoid stains and streaks.
With the effective cleaning and regular maintenance, you can be sure of an excellent result, as well as of the fact that your windows will not be damaged.
The Risks of using pressure wash for timber cleaning
For caring and cleaning your timber, it’s best to use soapy water or chemicals specifically designed for painted wood structures. Abrasive compounds, solvents, and active chemicals are not suitable for cleaning such windows.
Despite the excellent durability and other advantages of wood, it poorly tolerates the water supplied under high pressure. Therefore, the risks of cleaning wooden windows in this way are quite high. Most likely, your beautiful panels will eventually lose their original look, which will be caused by:
- flaws of paintwork;
- cracks and seals;
- destruction of the wood structure, which in the future usually leads to the failure of the entire structure.
Moreover, regular maintenance of wooden windows using too hard brushes might damage the paint layer that protects the material from harsh weather.