Do this once in October, before the first hard freeze. It takes about twenty minutes per door and a few minutes per window.
Windows
- Weep holes: clear the small slots at the bottom of the frame outside with a pipe cleaner.
- Exterior caulk: look for cracks where the frame meets siding or brick, and recaulk.
- Fogged glass: haze between panes means a failed seal. The glass unit can usually be replaced alone.
- Tilt-and-turn windows: run the handle through closed, turn and tilt. If it's stiff, lubricate the locking points.
- Screens: remove, wash and store them for winter.
Doors
- Dollar-bill test: close the door on a dollar bill in several spots. If it slides out easily, the weatherstrip isn't sealing there.
- Door sweep and threshold: check for daylight under the door. Many thresholds adjust up with screws.
- Hinges: tighten loose screws. A long screw into the framing on the top hinge fixes most sagging doors.
- Locks: use a dry lubricant or graphite, not oil.
- Sliders: clean the track before winter grit sets in.
A door tuned in summer may feel stiff in winter. That's normal seasonal movement and a small adjustment fixes it.