Why Shifting Oklahoma Clay Soil Makes Your Windows Stick (and How to Fix It)

The red clay soil that’s so common throughout the state of Oklahoma can cause major issues with your home’s windows. That’s because this unique soil acts like a giant sponge, expanding when wet and shrinking when dry. This is known as the ‘shrink-swell’ cycle, and it can cause your home’s foundation to shift, forcing your window frames to become misaligned in the process. Let’s take a look at how you can protect your home from this costly issue.

Short-Term Solutions

Dealing with sticking windows around your home in Oklahoma? Here are a few short term DIY fixes that may improve the situation:

Clean and lubricate the tracks – While dirt and grime buildup on your window tracks isn’t the primary cause of window sticking in Oklahoma, it can certainly make the issue worse. By vacuuming, wiping down, and lubricating your tracks, you can reduce some of the friction causing your windows to stick.
Adjust the rollers – For sliding windows, an adjustment of the bottom rollers can help to create smoother functionality in times of sticking.
Shim the frame – In extreme cases, you can even consider using wood shims to force the crooked frame back into a square shape.

Long-Term Solutions

The tips above may help to reduce the inconvenience of sticking windows, but they won’t do anything to treat the underlying issue. Here are a few ways to manage the moisture levels in your soil and prevent long term damage from the ‘shrink-swell’ cycle:

Extend your downspouts – You can use downspout extensions to make sure rainwater is diverted away from your home at the proper distance.
Regrade your yard – You can also regrade your yard to make sure that the soil slopes away from your house, allowing water to flow off instead of seeping into the foundation.
Water your foundation – During periods of extreme drought, you can water your foundation to create uniform moisture levels and reduce the risk of shifting.

Trusted Home Window Replacement From Oklahoma’s Leading Window Specialists

The most effective way to protect your Oklahoma home from window sticking as a result of the region’s ‘shrink-swell’ cycle, is to upgrade your home’s windows. With a home window replacement from the team at Sooner State Home Improvements, you can equip your home with heavy-duty aluminum or vinyl replacement windows designed to resist structural warping. With our top end products, flawless installation, and decades of local experience, we can help you update your home’s exterior to withstand the region’s extreme weather and unpredictable soil movement. Here’s what to expect from our home window replacement:

Durable products – Our windows are sourced from leading manufacturers and built with the finest materials, specifically designed to withstand the extreme conditions of the region.
Flawless installation – Every installation is done by our team of trained, licensed, and certified installers who take pride in their professionalism and attention to detail.
Local expertise – With nearly four decades of local service throughout the state of Oklahoma, our experts know how to deal with the unique soil conditions and deliver home upgrades that stand up to the shifting Oklahoma clay soil.
Convenient service – With free consultations, custom solutions, efficient installation, and top-quality customer service, we make it easy and convenient to secure the home window upgrade your home needs.
Long-term peace of mind – Our home window replacement services are backed by extensive manufacturer and labor warranties, so you can trust us to deliver decades of value and performance.

Contact Our Oklahoma-Based Window Replacement Team Today

With our high-quality home window replacement services throughout Oklahoma, Sooner State Home Improvements can improve your energy efficiency, curb appeal, and protection from the elements. To learn more about how our experts can protect your property from shifting soil and sticking windows, contact us to arrange your free consultation today.