How often should you check your windows?

How often to do a window safety check

BCA advises homeowners to check and maintain their windows at least once every six months. For HDB flats, HDB says that as the flat owner or occupant, you are responsible for the upkeep of the windows in your flat. Without that upkeep, a window could fall and cause serious injury or worse to people below.

Windows deteriorate with wear and tear from wind and rain. The BCA window safety advice for homeowners comes down to three steps: check, clean and change. The sections below take each step in turn.

Add the check to your home maintenance calendar so it is not missed.

Casement windows: rivets, screws and stays

BCA reports that the most common cause of fallen casement windows was corroded aluminium rivets.

For a casement window inspection, BCA's checklist suggests using a mirror to see the screws and rivets on the upper side and underside of the panel. Check that:

• the rivets are not broken or corroded
• the screws are not loose or rusty
• the friction stays are not bent or loose

Since 2004, a BCA retrofitting order has required homeowners to replace all aluminium rivets in casement windows with stainless steel ones. Homeowners can be fined or jailed for not doing so, or if a window falls through lack of maintenance.

When approved window contractors carry out this retrofitting, BCA says they replace all the aluminium rivets at the casement window stays with type 304 stainless steel rivets. Changing rivets is AWC work, not a job to do yourself.

Sliding and louvred windows

BCA reports that sliding window incidents happened when safety stoppers and angle strips were missing and excessive outward force was used. Take care not to force a sliding panel outwards when you open, close or clean it.

When you check a sliding window, BCA's checklist says to make sure the safety stopper and angle strip are in place and that the panel slides smoothly. Clean the tracks while you are there.

Louvred windows

For adjustable louvred windows, BCA's checklist lists two things to look at: the glass panes are secure and not cracked or broken, and the lever lock works properly.

Cleaning and lubricating

Cleaning is the second of the three steps. Every six months, BCA suggests cleaning the window tracks and lubricating the joints and moving parts.

Wind and rain wear windows down over time, so pair this step with the wet-weather jobs in our guide to monsoon season home care.

Approved window contractors

The third step, change, is work for an AWC. Every six months, BCA advises engaging an approved window contractor to change aluminium rivets to stainless steel and to replace worn safety stoppers and angle strips. For window enquiries, call the BCA Window Hotline on 6334 6473 (Mondays to Fridays, 8.30am to 6pm).

If you are not confident checking your own windows, BCA suggests engaging an AWC to inspect them, and keeps a list of AWCs. Replacing windows needs an AWC, registered with BCA under workhead RW01, and a trained window installer. A builder registered under GB1 or GB2 may also install windows.

In an HDB flat, HDB says all window installation or replacement work must be done by an AWC listed in HDB's directory, so HDB owners use HDB's list. A renovation permit is needed for all window replacement work, and the AWC applies for it. Replacing full-height windows, including 3/4 height and bay windows, is not allowed unless HDB gives permission because a damaged frame needs a complete replacement. New windows must match the existing colour scheme, proportion and type.

After the permit is issued, HDB's renovation rules say the owner and contractor must display the Notice of Renovation outside the flat until the works are completed. Window-only works must be completed within 2 weeks of the permit date. General renovation works run from 9am to 6pm on weekdays and Saturdays, with none on Sundays and public holidays.

Our door and window repair page covers other door and window jobs. What those cost depends on the job, and you can see published prices on handyman rates. For rivets, stoppers, angle strips and window replacement, use an AWC as set out above.

The six-monthly window checklist

Run through this list every six months. Each item comes from BCA's window checks and its six-monthly advice.

Casement windows

• Use a mirror to see the screws and rivets on the upper side and underside of the panel.
• Rivets are not broken or corroded.
• Screws are not loose or rusty.
• Friction stays are not bent or loose.
• Joints and moving parts are lubricated.

Sliding windows

• Safety stopper is in place.
• Angle strip is in place.
• Panel slides smoothly.
• Tracks are clean.

Adjustable louvred windows

• Glass panes are secure.
• No panes are cracked or broken.
• Lever lock works properly.

Call an AWC if

• Your casement windows still have aluminium rivets that need changing to stainless steel.
• A safety stopper or angle strip is worn.
• You are not confident checking the windows yourself.
• You plan to replace a window.

Questions