Check the windows of the windows in September allows you to save over 30 euros per month in the bill and reduce 80% drafts and condensation. Just 15 minutes and a candle to understand if the winter will be more comfortable or more expensive than expected.
September is the perfect time for this check: the temperatures begin to drop, but not so much to prevent some practical intervention. Many ignore the importance of the gaskets until the frost arrives, but it is precisely with the first fresh that the problems begin: the appealing glass in the morning, air currents in the living room, radiators who seem to work at all. In dated houses, or even just a few years after the installation, the rubber gaskets Forgive elasticity, they dry out, deform. This creates small invisible spaces where cold air enters and the hot one comes out, increasing waste and inconvenience. And the problem is not limited only to comfort: the more the hot air goes away, the more the internal humidity condenses on the glass. And from there to mold and structural damage it is a moment.
Tested on PVC fixtures exposed to the north, the annual control of the gaskets showed a sensitive killing of condensation, with improvements already after a simple cleaning and targeted lubrication. The secret? Intervene before the problems become evident. A bright candle near the edge of the window immediately reveals the presence of drafts: if the flame swaying, there is air passage. This simple trick can make the difference between a dry house and a full of humidity. After all, who has never passed the winter with the feeling of a window always ajar?
Signals not to ignore: how to understand if the gaskets are ruined
There are no special tools to understand if the gaskets windows need attention. They often speak for themselves, with unequivocal signs that manifest themselves in the first days of September. The first symptom is the Mature condensation On glass, especially in environments such as kitchen or bedroom. When internal humidity meets a cold surface, it turns into droplets. If the gaskets no longer make thermal barrier, the glass remains cold longer. Then there are the drafts: that annoying air current that is felt near the windows even when they are closed. Just pass your hand along the internal perimeter to hear them. Some only notice because the curtains move slightly, even without open windows.
Another signal is the excessive noise coming from the outside. If before the window wasolated well from the sounds and now everything is heard, the gaskets are likely to be hardened or detached. Finally, the candle test: a flickering flame near the frame is the clearest sign of a passage of air. A few seconds, and you have the answer. Curious how often you only notice problems when looking for. As if the unconscious protected us from having to intervene. But with winter to the doors, ignore them means paying double.
How to improve isolation with small gestures and low cost materials
The good news is that there is no need to replace the window to improve thethermal insulation: often cheap products and a free afternoon are enough.
First, one accurate cleaning of the gaskets can already improve their estate. Dust, fat and residues accumulate over time, compromising adherence.
Then, it is useful to apply a Silicone -based lubricant. This product, easily available in hardware stores, restores rubber elasticity and slows down its aging. Better to avoid mineral oils, which in the long run annoyed it.
If the gaskets are too worn, you can independently replace: the new adhesive seals in Epdm or polyurethane foam are located a few euros per meter and apply in a few minutes.
Before proceeding, it is good to precisely measure the necessary thickness and verify the type of groove of the frame. A wrong choice could compromise the closure.
And if you really can’t adapt anything, they also exist external paraspifferi in fabric or silicone, to be applied temporarily during the winter. It will not be the most elegant solution, but it is effective.
After all, a small gesture today is worth an entire winter of comfort.
Necessary for the control of the gaskets (and where to find it)
Before starting, better prepare everything you need. Nothing complex, but having everything at hand avoids interruptions.
Here’s what it takes:
- Thin candle or windproof lighter
- Microfiber cloth or soft toothbrush
- Neutral detergent (or water and vinegar)
- Silicone spray lubricant
- Adhesive spare sections (EPDM or expanded rubber)
- Flexible meter for measurements
- Cutter or robust scissors
All these materials are easily found in Bricolage, hardware or online stores. Some common shopping centers have now entire departments dedicated to domestic energy saving.
Small advice from those who have already passed us: choose Spray lubricants with long spout allows you to reach even the most hidden corners.
Quick steps to check and improve gaskets in 15 minutes
A well -made control takes no hours. A few steps and a pinch of attention are enough. Here’s how to proceed:
- Open the window and clean the gaskets with damp cloth and cleanser, eliminating dust and residues.
- Turn on the candle and slowly pass it along the entire internal perimeter of the closed window: notes any waves or tremolii of the flame.
- Consider the state of the rubber: if it is dry, chapped or detached, it must be replaced.
- Apply the silicone lubricant, spraying it in moderation throughout the rubber edge.
- Measure and cut the new gaskets (if necessary), remove the old ones and paste the new ones following the original line.
- Close the window and check the estate, checking that there are no raised or openings.
Simple, right? Sometimes the real obstacle is just to start.
Errors to avoid when working on the gaskets
Often it is underestimated as a trivial error can compromise the final result. Some mistakes are more common than you think.
- Use wrong lubricantslike kitchen oil or multipurpose spray: they damage the rubber.
- Apply new gaskets without removing the old onescreating useless thicknesses.
- Cut the strips without measuring firstwith the risk of waste or forced adaptations.
- Do not let the surfaces dry well Before pasteing: the sticker does not hold.
- Clean with abrasive spongeswhich ruin the surface of the gasket.
- Ignore the upper edgeswhere the drafts are more subtle and less visible.
Once these tricks are learned, everything becomes easier. Also because, let’s face it, redoing a bad job is the most annoying thing there is.
When to check the gaskets and how far how to do it
The best time is just in Septemberwhen the climate is still mild but the first thermal excursions begin.
Ideally, the control must be done once a yearbefore the start of the cold. But if you live in wet or windy areas, it is better to take a look even in mid -winter.
After large rains or snowfalls, it is worth inspecting any infiltrations or swellings. The gaskets, like any material, react to the climate.
A trick? Mark a reminder on the calendar, perhaps together with other small domestic checks such as that of the boiler or roller shutters.
It is a habit that makes the difference.
Photo © Stock.adobe and Ai
FOLLOW CASTLI NEWS ON
