6 Ways to Prep Windows for Winter

Image of a house on a street during a winter storm

Certain home chores tend to be ignored as we move further into winter, trudging through snow, sleet, and wind-chill temperatures that send icy blasts through even the thickest mittens and hats. Welcome to winter in Ohio. Before our Cincinnati region sinks into its own version of the arctic, there still is time to prepare your home’s windows for the onslaught of winter.

The top six ways to prepare your home’s windows for winter are:

1. Inspect All Windows

Before snow blankets the yard, it’s important to perform a visual inspection of all windows from the outside and inside. Look for cracks, gaps, and don’t forget to inspect the screens. If any of the screens do have tears or holes, get them fixed while they’re not in use over Read more »

Blinds, Shades, or Curtains? Choosing Window Coverings for Your Home

Interior home with two chairs and a coffee table

Windows are a key architectural element in any home, from traditional double-hung to casement, sliders, bow, and picture windows. Most windows on your residential home are designed to allow light and air flow, but all windows add to the aesthetics. Step inside any home, and the windows and their treatments can make or break a room’s overall look.

It’s essential to select the right coverings for your windows, and that means considering blinds, shade, or curtains.

Difference Between Curtains and Drapes

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between Read more »

First Time Home Buyers: Check The Gutters

Water dripping from gutters

Gutters can be an overlooked feature when buying a home for the first time. Without properly installed and regularly maintained gutters, the house may have suffered from water damage. In the United States, water damage is the second most frequently filed insurance claim; wind and hail take the number one spot. Water damage can cost a homeowner thousands of dollars, from roof repairs to complete foundation fixes.

Gutters and Water Damage

Gutters are essential for a home because without them, rainwater and melting snow or ice flows down the sides of the house and pools Read more »

7 Home Maintenance Chores to Hire Out

As Ferris Bueller once said, “Life moves pretty fast.” Our schedules seem to be packed with more activities, responsibilities, and chores. Homeowners face what may seem like a never-ending list of maintenance chores, many which arrive seasonally. Save yourself time, hassle, and headaches by turning to professionals for seven essential home maintenance chores.

HVAC Check-up

When cooler temperatures hit, you want your heat to turn on without any issues and continue working throughout the fall and winter months. You don’t want the Read more »

The Best Direction to Place Windows on a House

Windows add to the distinctive look of a home, from Cape Cod dormers to the casement windows common on the traditional ranch house. Not only do windows play an important role in a home’s aesthetics, but with the right placement they’ll let in amazing natural sunlight, provide a breeze on a spring day, and offer views of the surrounding landscape. But what’s the best direction for a home’s windows to face?

South-Facing Windows = Top Choice

For residents of the northern hemisphere, the top benefit a south-facing window offers is sunshine. Our city of Cincinnati enjoys approximately Read more »

What Could Be Living in Neglected Gutters

What could be living in neglected gutters

Mosquitoes, mice, and birds, oh my! These are just a few of the living things that can make their home in neglected gutters.

Don’t put off gutter cleaning. When gutters are neglected, clogs can obstruct water flow leading to serious problems. Clogged gutters don’t allow water to divert away from the house. Water that pools near the foundation can cause seepage into basements and crawl spaces leading to mold and other issues. If the water backs up in the gutter, it can seep under the eaves and roof creating costly damage as well. But it’s the living things found in unkempt and neglected gutters that often surprise homeowners.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can spread viruses that make people sick, and in Read more »

The Many Benefits of Natural Light in the Home

Cincinnati enjoys more than 2,500 hours of sunshine every year. You don’t want to miss out on those brilliant rays because of dirty windows. Not only do clean windows look good, there are multiple benefits natural light provides for a home. Let’s take a look at a few.

Energy Conservation

When windows are clean and natural light can flow through into the home, there’s less need for artificial light. Did you know that incandescent lights give off 90-percent of their energy as heat? Additional heat from any source is not something you want during the summer. In addition, any time you can turn off lights and allow sunlight to naturally brighten your home, energy is saved. If you’re curious just how much energy can be saved by switching off lights, check out Energy.gov to calculate potential savings. Read more »

Our Best Tips For Skylight Maintenance

Skylights can add beauty and value to a home, offering additional natural light in rooms like kitchens, bathrooms, master bedrooms, and converted attics. Like any other window, the skylight needs regular care and maintenance. However, skylights are often out of reach for many homeowners. A professional window cleaning team is the best choice for skylight care because they can safely and properly clean and check for issues.

What do you need to know about skylight care? Our experts at United Window Cleaning have shared a few best tips for skylight maintenance, care, and cleaning.

Dealing with Dust, Dirt, and Debris

Dust, dirt, and debris collect naturally on window surfaces throughout your home, and the skylight is no exception. Rain can help wash away some, but it’s not enough. Windows and skylights need regular cleaning because the grime that collects on these surfaces can be damaging over time. Dust, dirt, and accumulated debris on the skylight can etch glass leading to cracks and causing scratches in materials like plastic or acrylic. Read more »

Clogged Gutters & Their Damage to Your Home

Clogged gutters damage to your home

Spring has sprung! It’s time to get outdoors and finally enjoy a bit of warmer weather after a long winter. As we begin the various seasonal chores, from fertilizing the lawn to breaking out the patio furniture, there’s one that can’t be missed. Spring gutter cleaning is essential because clogged gutters can cause serious (and expensive) damage to your home.

Why Do Gutters Get Clogged?

Twigs and leaves are the main causes of clogs in rain gutters. Even if your property doesn’t have any trees, this type of natural debris can collect and cause problems. Leaves, twigs of all sizes, and seed pods are deposited into gutters by wind, storms, birds, and even small animals. Birds and small animals can build nests in your gutters, creating a clog that stops the flow of water. If these nests and other debris aren’t removed, costly damage can occur. Read more »

How Window Cleaning Saves Your Business Money

Window cleaning saves money

The care and maintenance of the commercial building exterior is essential to the overall well-being of a business. The outside look of any business creates the first (and often lasting) impression for customers, guests, and even prospective new employees arriving for interviews. Clean windows make a difference, and a positive impression. Regularly scheduled, professional window washing also has the potential to save your business money in the long-term.

How Ignoring Window Issues Leads to Long-term Damage

Water can be one of the most damaging forces to commercial windows. Hard water, water with a high mineral count, is common in cities and areas of industrialization and has the power to damage glass windows of all types. Hard water typically contains high concentrations of calcium and magnesium which can have negative effects on glass. Read more »