Care and Maintenance

Tilt-In Window Operation for Cleaning
To Clean your windows, lift the bottom sash at least 2 inches from the sill. Push the tilt latches on the top rail toward one another, and gently tilt the sash inward from the top. When cleaning, rest the center of the meeting rail on your knee or platform. Always keep both corners of the sash supported. It is important to keep the sash parallel to the window sill to prevent the sash from disengaging. To clean the top sash, first tilt out the lower sash and lower the top sash that it is approximately 2-3 inches above the lower sash. Push the tilt latches toward one another, and tilt the sash inward.

Cleaning Your Windows
To Clean Vinyl Components – Use Soap and water or a liquid vinyl cleaner such as Armor-All or Soft Scrub.

To Clean Glass
Use a Name brand ammonia containing glass cleaner such as Windex. Do not use household cleaners such as Fantastic.

What To Do If The Sash Comes Out
The sash may sometimes come out of the window if you accidentally move the sash from side to side as you are tilting in the sash for cleaning. If this occurs, you will need to put the sash back into its “shoes.”
When the sash is out of the window, the balance “shoe” is visible to you within the master frame jamb of the window, and the “pivot bar” is visible protruding off the side of the window sash.

Note: A “pivot bar” is a metal stub that sticks out from the corner of the sash on each side. You must now make sure that the “shoes” in the master frame are in parallel alignment, making sure that the “notches” within the shoes match up with each other on both sides (in each jamb). This is easily done by placing a flat screwdriver into the shoe and gently turning it until its’ position exactly matches the position of the shoe in the opposite jamb. Then, keeping the sash parallel to the floor, insert both pivot bars back into the balance shoes. The window sash will then easily “tilt” back up into its’ original position.

What is Condensation?
Condensation is foggy moisture that can appear on the glass surfaces of windows and doors. Condensation normally will occur when relative humidity within the home exceeds 40%. In summer, household moisture escapes when the windows and doors are open. During the winter, this moisture is trapped in the home with nowhere to go. You must make an attempt to get rid of this moisture in some of the ways described below. In most cases, condensation buildup is temporary. Left unchecked, however, in structures without proper ventilation, damage in other parts of the home an occur.

Where Does Moisture Come From?
The causes of this moisture buildup are directly related to the humidity produced by the daily living habits of the inhabitants of the home. These include cooking, showering, washing machines, dishwashers, humidifiers, heating systems, and even household plants! Homeowners must take precautions to insure that the home is vented properly to compensate for the humidity that is being generated each day. Moisture trapped within the home is visible on the window and door glass. The moisture that is unseen, behind wallboard, around and behind electrical outlets, in attic and roof areas, can and will eventually cause structural damage or other safety hazards. Open and unobstructed attic vents, basement waterproofing, or a dehumidifying system will remedy the situation. Even opening a window in affected rooms, for just a couple of minutes a day will help control the problem.

What Can I Do About It?
Just as the glass that holds your iced tea that “sweats,” (when placed outside in summer) is not defective, your window glass also is not responsible for condensation. Remember that…Condensation is not a problem related to windows. Windows cannot make water. Condensation is the result of excessive moisture within the home (that’s always been there), which must be provided an outlet. To learn more about condensation, the United States Department of Agriculture and the University of Illinois have published information booklets about condensation and how to deal with it.