Here’s how you can prevent windows from leaking in the rains

1. Here’s how you can prevent windows from leaking in the rains Very often people tend to ignore the windows of their homes. In fact, you tend to not even think about them when it comes to regular household maintenance and it’s only when things go wrong that you realize their significance. And that is exactly how it should be. Whether you have aluminium system windows or regular ones, they should be of a good enough grade that you shouldn’t have to bother about their maintenance. However, once the monsoons roll around things get a bit tricky. Especially if you live in a rainy city like Mumbai, water leakage through the windows can become a major issue. In most cases, water leakage through the windows isn’t so much of an issue with your windows themselves but the window frame and the way it has been installed. Most aluminium window manufacturers either install the windows themselves of lease it out to a trusted contractor. However, many people mess up when it comes to leveling the frames and filling in the gaps. As a result, your windows may end up looking great but it’s only when the water starts leaking through that you realize that not everything is perfect in your paradise. In such instances, you can rush to call someone to fix it or address the problem yourself. Here are a few ways in which you can take care of it with ease. Caulks - These are the first and most obvious solutions when it comes to waterproofing windows. They consist of a sealing solution that can be used to fill in all the gaps but it requires professional know-how to use properly. It is what your window guy might typically use to make your windows water-tight and is not recommended if you aren’t used to construction and plumbing work. Weatherstrips - These are probably your best bet. This new-age solution can be easily found at your local hardware outlet or you can just order it off the Internet. As the name suggests, they are strips made of vinyl or rubber that are self-adhesive. This means all you need to do is peel off the adhesive strip and stick them to the outside of your window frames. While they might look unseemly from the inside if your windows are open, they are the simplest solution you could imagine. Tarpaulin - Working with and around windows is not everyone’s cup of tea and many people don’t want to mess with the aesthetics of their windows just to weather a few rainy months. Instead, you can adopt the popular Indian quick-fix of using a tarpaulin. You would ideally install the tarp on the top of your window grilles and it can fall as low down on your grilles as you want. They effectively stop rain from hitting your windows and hence eventually seeping in. Bear in mind though that you may need to seek appropriate permissions. Water-proofing windows are no easy task but there are plenty of easy solutions out there. Most of them end up ruining the aesthetics of your windows either from the inside or the outside. Or, while installing windows, you could simply choose slim windows from trusted aluminium window manufacturers so you don’t have to face such issues come the Monsoons.