Hurricane shutters are an essential investment that can help protect your home in a storm. However, they require regular cleaning to remain functional.
This moderately easy do-it-yourself task can be the difference between expensive storm damage and minimal or no damage. It also helps ensure that your accordion shutters are ready to guard your windows in the next hurricane.
Clean the Outside Shutters
Many homeowners protect their homes during hurricane season with hurricane windows shutters rather than impact windows. There are a few reasons why they do so:
This offers better protection against UV rays, outside noise, and projectiles. They also help reduce energy costs by reducing drafts and heat exchange. They also deter thieves, as burglars are less likely to target a home with tightly closed shutters.
Accordion and roll-up shutters have moving parts and hardware that must be cleaned and lubricated regularly. Windblown dirt, salt, sand, and insect nests can build up on the mechanisms, which can cause them to malfunction during a storm.
To clean your shutters:
- Mix a cup of mild dishwashing detergent with water.
- Dip a sponge, soft cloth, or brush into the solution and wipe down the entire surface of your shutters, paying particular attention to small nooks and crannies.
- Rinse them with clean water and let them dry before using them again.
Clean the Inside
Accordion shutters and roll-up hurricane shutters have moving parts, hardware, and tracks that must be cleaned and lubricated. These areas collect dirt, salt, and debris, making opening or closing your amazons gpt55x shutters difficult.
Wipe down the slats of the shutter and hinges or ribs using warm water and a block of mild soap. Especially pay attention to the tracks because they are more susceptible to buildup and corrosion.
Once you have completed the task, rinse the shutter thoroughly with a garden hose. It is essential to avoid using a high-pressure sprayer as this could damage the caulking around the windows and cause the paint to chip. After rinsing, dry the shutter with a cloth or towel. To keep your hurricane shutters free from dirt, salt, and debris, performing this maintenance twice a year is a good idea. It will ensure that the slats move smoothly and the hardware, hinges, and thumb turns operate correctly. It will prevent them from seizing or failing to engage when you need them during a omgblog hurricane.
Clean the Tracks
Accordion hurricane shutter can be difficult to open and close if something is leaning on or under them. Keep the travel area clear of things that could get caught and cause misalignment or damage that would require costly repairs.
Wash the tracks of your shutter using a solution of warm water and dishwashing soap. Avoid abrasive cleaners and stiff brushes. Instead, use a pipe cleaner or other soft tool to remove dirt from the locking mechanism. Performing this step at least twice yearly will prevent jams from occurring when you need to use your shutters during a storm.
After washing the tracks, apply a light coating of clear machine oil to the track surface. It will help to avoid dirt and salt buildup that can cause the thumbscrews to seize and become unusable. Lubricating the tracks and locks of your shutters at least twice per year will also allow you to operate them when needed.
Inspect the Locks
The locks of your shutters are essential for keeping the doors and windows that they protect open when a storm hits. You must regularly inspect and clean the waves to prevent them from rusting.
You can do this by soaking a sponge in the cleaning solution and wiping it down. Allowing the cleaning solution to sit for 5-10 minutes is crucial to loosen stubborn dirt effectively. Then rinse the cleaning solution off with your garden hose, using the sprayer instead of the jet setting.
It is also essential to keep the area around your shutters clear. It will make it easier to operate the shutters. Finally, it would be best to lubricate the locking rods’ thumbscrews with a silicone lubricant at least twice a year. It will ensure they are easily disengaged and can be opened quickly when a hurricane warning is issued. It can save lives and property in a dangerous situation.
