In some cases, having impact resistant windows is not enough to avoid headaches during a storm.  To mitigate damages of your floors, baseboards, drywall, blinds, carpet, and furniture among others, it is very important to maintain or inspect certain components to guarantee the systems performance.

1. Are Locks Working Properly?

Inspect the locking hardware.  Ensure operable panels are locked properly to avoid them opening with the high winds a storm can bring.   Periodically, clean the locks and lubricate them to maintain their proper function.

2. Is your Weather-stripping, Gaskets, and wet glaze in good condition?

Inspect the weather-stripping, gaskets and wet glaze of the doors and windows. Visually inspect these components for any missing chunks, damage, cracks, movement, or lack of compression.  Any of these signs, could mean that the component needs to be replaced.

3. Are the weather components in the correct position?

This is one of the hardest inspections to do. Each System/manufacturer has weathering components strategically installed along the frame to minimize the strength of air coming thru.

It is important to keep in mind that operable system is not air and watertight. Existing gaps are necessary for panel movement and alignment.

4. Are weep holes unclogged and/or debris-free?

Weep holes are small openings that allows water to drain from within an assembly. It is crucial to have the weep holes inspected to make sure they are free of debris.  If they get clogged, these must be cleaned to restore their proper draining function.

5. Are screw heads sealed properly?

Since it rains most of the year in Florida, this inspection should not be limited to just hurricane season, but throughout the entire year.  Anchors need be sealed to avoid water entering the frame’s predrilled penetrations.  Within time, this sealant disintegrates or peels, leaving a perfect path for water to enter the system causing mold growth and destroying surrounding components.

6. Are the Vents or Panels properly aligned?

Check the Alignment of Vents and/or panels with the frame.  Proper alignment will guarantee that the locks, weather-stripping, gaskets, and pile pads can achieve their purpose.  This simple step is a compliment to all previous maintenance steps.

Following these guidelines, will ensure that your impact resistant product(s) will be preforming at the very best level that they were designed. It is recommended that all of the above procedures be conducted by a professional licensed contractor at least every 6 months to ensure that your windows will be in the best shape possible to confront the worst of the elements.