Patio Doors Connect Homeowners to Nature

Pella recommends you inspect your windows and patio doors at least annually as part of a home checkup. Maintenance can prolong the life of your Pella windows and doors and will help ensure maximum warranty coverage.

As needed, clean, repaint or restain your windows and patio doors, and recaulk around them to help maintain optimal performance. Also, be sure to regularly check for leaks and improper drainage above or around vents and sprinkler systems that may subject your windows and patio doors to prolonged water exposure.

Review the Maintenance section of the Pella Window and Patio Door Owner's Manual for additional details about how to properly maintain the interior and exterior of your Pella windows and patio doors.

The thumbturn lock is located behind or above the door handle. To lock the door, turn the thumbturn lock to a vertical locked position. The locking system will engage when the door is closed. To unlock the door, turn the thumbturn lock in the opposite direction to a horizontal position.

If your sliding patio door is equipped with a footbolt lock, it has two positions. One allows the door to be latched when it's about 3 inches open; the other provides extra security when the door is fully closed.

To engage the lock, move the lock handle toward the side of the door. To disengage the lock, move the lock handle toward the center of the door.

Review the Sliding Patio Door Screen section of the Pella Window and Patio Door Owner's Manual for additional details about the operation and care of your sliding patio door. If you continue to have difficulty, request a service visit consultation from your local showroom or call (800) 242-1008 to find a Pella service location nearest you.

Clean the interior and exterior frame surfaces with warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Stubborn stains and deposits may be removed with mineral spirits. Or Pine-Sol® can be applied with a clean, dry cloth or towel. Do not use abrasives. Do not scrape or use tools that might damage the surface. Should you need it, touch-up paint is available at the Pella Window and Door Showroom nearest you.

Clean the window sill using the brush attachment on a vacuum and vacuum off any debris.

It is normal for water to accumulate in the sill and track. On products with weep holes, the water is intended to drain to the outside via the drainage or "weep" holes.

• To clean the weep (drainage) system, check to make sure that the weep holes are clear of obstruction (dirt, sand, or building materials).
• To clean the weep holes, use a small, soft brush to clear the opening. Weep holes may be located both inside and outside the window in the bottom of the frame. If the window is "stacked," there may be weep holes between the units.

Warnings:

• Do not use abrasive or caustic solvents as they may damage your windows or patio doors.
• Do not scrape or use tools that might damage the surface.
• Do not power-wash.
• Review the Cleaning section of the Pella Window and Patio Door Owner's Manual for additional details about how to properly clean your Pella windows and patio doors.