Service Tips
Pella recommends that you inspect your windows and doors at least annually as part of a home checkup. Recommended maintenance can prolong the life of your Pella windows and doors and will ensure maximum warranty coverage. As needed, clean, repaint or re-stain your windows and doors, and re-caulk around them to help maintain the wood's optimal performance. Also be sure to regularly check for leaks, improper drainage and sprinkler systems that might subject your windows and doors to prolonged water exposure. With recommended care, Pella windows and doors can reward you with decades of beauty and performance.
Exterior
This simple checkup can help preserve and maintain the beauty of your Pella products for years to come.
Inspect the sealant/caulking on the exterior perimeter of your windows and doors at least once a year. The sealant/caulking creates a watertight seal between the window frame and the exterior siding (whether it is vinyl, cedar, aluminum, brick, etc.). It is extremely important that the sealant/caulking remains intact and in good condition at all times. Pay particular attention to the caulking at the lower corners of windows and under joints between windows in combinations (a grouping of individual windows). The sealant material should not be cracked, broken or missing — or it may cause premature failure of your Pella products or other parts of your home. Deterioration that occurs as a result of improper or insufficient maintenance is not covered by the Pella warranty.
At the same time, check the exterior paint for corrosion, peeling and/or cracking. If the exterior surface indicates any deterioration, problem areas must be touched up as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Instructions and touch-up paint for aluminum-clad products are available from our service and parts division in Beltsville, Maryland.
Interior Finishing
Annually inspect the interior finish of your windows and/or doors to make certain that the painted or stained finish is in good condition. UV rays from the sun can break down the paint's/stain's finish and compromise its protective features.
Casement Windows
To keep the window operating smoothly, clean the window track occasionally with a brush. To help prevent the sash from sticking, apply a thin layer of paraffin or other dry lubricant (Teflon® Dry Lubricant works well) to the weatherstripping. Do not use oily lubricants; they attract dust and grime, which will eventually restrict the window's movement. You can remove the operating crank on your window by loosening the set screw located on the bottom of the crank. It's important to keep the set screw tight; using a crank handle with a loose set screw causes the crank and operator stud to wear.
Double-Hung Windows
Keep the vinyl liners or vinyl track in wood jambliner on the sides of the window frame clean and lubricated with a thin coat of paraffin or other dry lubricant (Teflon® Dry Lubricant or Gulf Wax® works well) to keep them working smoothly. Do not use oily lubricants; they attract dust and grime, which will eventually restrict the window's movement. Paraffin or dry lubricant should also be applied to the sash.
Removeable Glass Panels
Designer Series® (installed before April 2005)
Keep the breather holes on Designer Series® SmartSash® II or SmartSash III windows clear of dirt and debris. Use a pipe cleaner, nail, wire or toothpick to clean out the breather holes. The breather holes help ensure against condensation forming between the glass.
Between-the-glass Fabric Shades
Designer Series®
To maintain the shade's crisp, pressed appearance, raise it completely open and leave it raised for a couple of hours at least once a week.
Sliding Patio Door
Keep the door track free of debris that could affect operation of the door. You can adjust the rollers located in the bottom of the door if necessary. The lock strike also should be adjusted if needed.
Sliding Screen Doors
Pella® screen doors are top-hung — it is important to keep the upper and lower door track free of dirt and debris. The rollers on the top of the screen can be adjusted if necessary. If the screen becomes dirty, you can clean it using a vacuum cleaner with the drapery brush attachment.