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PVC window maintenance: what to check every year so they last for decades

PVC windows are famous for needing little maintenance. Little, but not none. Ten minutes per window once a year is the difference between a window that closes like new in twenty years' time and one that starts to rub, whistle in the wind or let water in.

This guide focuses on the mechanical side: hardware, seals, drainage and adjustment. If you are looking for how to get frames and glass sparkling, read how to clean PVC windows.

Maintenance calendar

Spring: clean drainage holes and tracks after winter, check mosquito nets.
Autumn: lubricate hardware, care for seals and check closing before the rain and cold arrive.
Homes near the sea: add an extra hardware clean, as salt speeds up wear.

1. Hardware: lubricate once a year

The hardware is the metal mechanism that runs along the edge of the sash and locks it against the frame. It is the part that works hardest.

Open the window fully and wipe the edge of the sash with a dry cloth.
Put a drop of light, acid- and resin-free oil (machine oil or a hardware spray) on each locking point and on the hinges.
Open and close several times, including in the tilt position, to spread the lubricant.
Wipe off the excess.

Avoid WD-40 as your regular lubricant: it cleans well but evaporates and leaves the mechanism dry. And never use thick grease, which attracts dust.

2. Seals: keep them from drying out

The rubber seals are responsible for insulation. Sun and time can harden them.

Clean them with water and mild soap.
Once a year, apply a seal-care product or silicone spray.
If a seal is cracked, flattened or has come out of its groove, it can be replaced without changing the window.

3. Drainage holes: the number one cause of leaks

On the outside bottom of the frame there are drainage slots. When they get blocked with dust, sand or insects, rainwater collects in the frame and can end up inside your home. Check and clear them with a toothpick or thin plastic wire. On sliding windows, vacuum the track as well.

4. Sash adjustment: how to tell if it is needed

Over time, a sash can drop a few millimetres. Signs to watch for:

The sash rubs against the frame when closing.
The handle is harder to turn than before.
You feel air or hear whistling in the wind, even with the window closed.
There is a visible difference in the gap at the top and bottom.

Quality hardware is adjusted with an Allen key at the hinges and locking points. It takes a technician minutes, but if you have never done it, it is easy to make things worse: best left to a professional.

5. Shutters and mosquito nets

Roller shutters: clean the slats and check the strap is not fraying. If motorised, make sure it goes up and down smoothly.
Mosquito nets: vacuum or wash with soapy water, and check the mesh for tears before mosquito season.

6. Condensation: air your home daily

If drops appear on the inside of the glass in winter, it is not a defect: new windows are airtight and household moisture no longer escapes through gaps. Air the room for 5–10 minutes a day or leave the window tilted while cooking or showering. If condensation appears between the two panes, that is a glass fault and should be checked.

When to call a technician

The sash will not close or the handle jams.
Water gets in even though the drainage holes are clear.
There is condensation between the panes.
A seal has broken or come loose.
A shutter has got stuck.

What if your windows are beyond repair?

If your windows are old and maintenance can no longer save them, replacing them is quicker than you might think. See our installation service or calculate the price of new windows online.

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