The Importance of Window Maintenance in the Winter Months

As we reach the peak of the winter season here in northwestern Indiana, many seasonal industries are well into hibernation -- pools, drive-ins, and certain construction projects to name a few. However, to the surprise of most, professional window cleaning isn't one of them. In some cases, it may be more important than ever depending on the location of your home, particularly if it happens to be situated close to a busy road or highway.

According to the University of Vermont, as much as 20 million metric tons of salt and salt solutions are poured onto US streets and highways each year. As the ice and snow melts, passing vehicles kick up a cocktail of dirt, salt, and other contaminants bound together by water into the air around them, a fraction of which can easily land on windows facing the road. If you live close to a main street or highway, you'll be familiar with a thin film of grime that begins to appear, getting thicker and thicker with each passing day. Some may shrug it off and wait for spring cleaning, but could that be an unnecessary risk?

As dirt, salt, and grime build up on your windows, the risk of damage and/or permanent etching on the window grows. This risk greatly increases if frost begins to build up on the windows, pushing and pulling sediments around causing small scratches to the face of the window. Over time, these sediments can eventually penetrate the silicone seals around the glass, causing condensation to build up on the inside of the window between the panes. When this occurs, visibility is drastically degraded, and the only way to resolve the issue at this stage is to replace the window. According to Forbes, the average cost of replacing just one window can balloon up to $1400. Needless to say, this can be easily prevented with regular cleanings and maintenance.