Use and Care Guide

CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Aluminum Windows and Patio Doors (JCM001)
SASH/PANELANDFRAMEINSPECTION
Inspectsashorpatiodoorpanelannually(monthlyforcoastalareas).
If the window has a removable sash, it may be helpful to remove it
before inspection.
• Inspectstilesandrailsfordamage.
• Checkglassforcracks.Ifcracked,callyourlocalglasssupplierfor
replacement.
• Forinsulatingglassunits,lookformoistureorfoggingbetween
glasspanes(mostlikelytooccuroncoldmornings).Thismaybean
indication of seal failure. Call us for recommendations.
• Verifythesealantateachcorneroftheframeisintact.Repairas
necessarywith100%siliconesealant.
WEATHERSTRIP
Inspecting and maintaining weatherstrip can help avoid costly
structural damage from water leakage and energy loss due to air
and/orwaterinltration.Replaceweatherstripthatismissing,torn,
cracked, brittle, discolored, gummy, or that has no “bounce back”
when pressed down. Call us for replacement instructions.
Precautions
• Werecommenddenaturedalcoholfornonwater-solublecleaning
(forstubbornstains,lacquerthinnermaybeusedinsmallamounts
andonlyasdirected).Othersolventssuchasmineralspiritsor
petroleum-based products may damage or dissolve weatherstrip.
• Whenusingalcohol,alwaystestsmallarearsttoavoidproduct
damage.
• Donotuseanythingsharpnearweatherstrip.
Light Cleaning
1.Cleanwithdampclothormildsoapandwater.
2.Rinseanddrythoroughly.
3.Repeatifnecessary.
NonWater-SolubleCleaning
Clean with denatured alcohol on soft cloth. If denatured alcohol
doesn’t work:
1.Cleanwithsmallamountlacquerthinneronsoftcloth.
2.Repeatifnecessary.
3.Cleanwithmildsoapandwater,thenrinse.Ifunsuccessful,consider
replacing weatherstrip.
Repair
If weatherstrip is loose or falling out of the kerf:
1.Carefullyremoveweatherstrip.
2. Apply thin bead of silicone sealant into kerf.
3.Reinstallweatherstrip.
4. Hold in place with tape for 24 hours.
5. Carefully remove tape.
GUTTERSANDOVERHANGS
Guttersandoverhangsprotectwindowsandpatiodoorsfromexcess
waterexposure.Clearatleastonceperyear.
WEEPSYSTEM
Aluminumwindowsandpatiodoorsarenotsubjecttomoisture
damage;however,damagecoulddevelopinthestructurearoundthe
unitifwaterdoesnotdrainproperlyfromthesillarea.Weepsystems
aredesignedtodrainwatertotheexterior.Ifwaterdoesnotdrain
quickly from the sill through the weep system, check the weep holes
for blockage as follows:
1.Regularlycleansilltrackwithvacuumorwipethoroughlywith
damp cloth.
2. Pour small amount
ofwater(1cup)into
interior sill track. If
water drains through
exteriorweepholes
or crevice, system is
clear. If not, continue
toStep3toclean.
3.Insertthinwireinto
theexteriorweep
hole in the frame.
Do not insert the wire farther than necessary to clear the blockage
because the insulating glass unit may become damaged. Call us
ifunsure.
4.Repeatsteponeuntilwaterrunscleartotheexterior.Ifnot
successful, call a service technician.
EXTERIORSIDINGJOINT
Apropersealofthejointbetweenthewindowandtheexterior
surface of the structure will provide a proper shield from the elements
andwillkeepwaterand/orairfromleakingintothehome.
Inspectsealantinthejointfor:
• Cracks
• Voids
• Deterioratingareas(e.g.lossofadhesion)
Repairdamagedsealantwithabestqualitysealant.
Note! Do not apply sealant to areas where installer or contractor
did not originally seal. Seek professional advice from an installer or
contractor if unsure.
Whenrepairingasealantjoint,100%siliconesealantisthe
mostdurable,butitcannotbepainted.Use100%polyurethane
sealant if painted. Follow sealant manufacturer’s instructions for
properapplication.
BASIC INSPECTIONS AND MAINTENANCE - CONTINUED
12/17
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