Windows and doors take a beating from Minnesota weather all year. These are the signs to look for, so you can catch problems early.
1. Drafts you can feel
On a windy day, hold your hand near the edges of each window and around the door frame. Moving air means the opening is not sealed well. You can also check at night with a lit candle or a piece of tissue held near the edges, and watch whether it moves.
2. Fog or moisture between the panes
If you see haze, droplets or a milky film trapped between the layers of glass, the seal around the glass has likely failed. Wiping the surface will not clear it, because the moisture is inside the unit.
3. Windows or doors that stick
A sash that is hard to open, a door that rubs the frame, or a lock that no longer lines up can mean the frame has shifted or the unit has settled. Check whether the gap around the door is even all the way around.
4. Soft or discolored frames
Press a fingertip or a screwdriver tip gently into the wood along the bottom of the frame and the sill. If it feels soft or crumbles, or the paint is bubbling, water has been getting in. Look for dark staining on the trim and the wall beneath the window as well.
5. Cracked or missing caulk
Walk around the outside of the house and look at the caulk where the frame meets the exterior wall or trim. Gaps and cracks let rain and cold air in. Check the inside edges too, since peeling paint or dark spots there can point to a moisture problem.
6. Rattling or a loose fit
A window that rattles in the wind, or a door that moves when you push on it while it is latched, is not sitting snugly in its opening. Look at the hardware as well. Loose hinges and worn latches are sometimes the whole problem.
When it’s time to call
Some fixes are small, like fresh caulk or tightening hardware. Others, like fogged glass or soft frames, usually mean the window or door needs to be replaced. If you are not sure which you have, call us at (651) 238-6751 for a free estimate. Learn more about our window replacement, entry door and patio and sliding door work.
These are general homeowner tips, not professional advice.