⛔ Anti-Rust Sprays
Classic WD-40 contains petroleum solvents that destroy EPDM. It appears to "lubricate" but long-term it decomposes the rubber.
EPDM Gasket Maintenance: How to Stop Cracking & Preserve Insulation
The real, unsung hero that keeps freezing air, street noise and rainwater out of your living room is a black rubber strip just a few millimetres thick: the perimeter EPDM gasket (Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer). Without it, even the most expensive window frame would leak drafts and moisture into your home.
Like our skin, rubber needs "moisturising." The relentless UV radiation of the Greek sun, extreme temperature swings and accumulated dust gradually suck the elasticity out of it - until it hardens like plastic, shrinks and splits at the corners, the weakest point of every gasket run. Prevention costs literally under €5 and takes just 10 minutes once a year.
The Classic Mistake: What NOT to Use
Many homeowners, trying to lubricate squeaky gaskets, make a fatal mistake: they apply petroleum-based products. Hydrocarbons react chemically with EPDM, causing it to swell, melt and stick permanently to the frame.
⛔ Vaseline & Grease
Vaseline is a petroleum by-product. Thick greases attract dust, stick to the frame and render the insulation useless.
⛔ Engine Oil
Mineral motor oils corrode EPDM. Even a few drops create a black, sticky paste that stains everything.
The "Night Cream" for Your Windows: Silicone Spray
The only material that is 100% compatible with window gaskets is pure silicone. You can find it as Silicone Spray or specialised gasket-care sticks - it costs under €5 and covers every window in the house.
🧴 How Silicone Works
It penetrates the rubber's microscopic pores, restores lost elasticity, creates an invisible membrane that waterproofs the surface and prevents the annoying sticking (suction) of the sash against the frame during the hot summer months.
💡 The Pro Trick
Never spray directly onto the window! Spray generously onto a clean cloth and "massage" each gasket one by one. This avoids cloudy glass and dangerously slippery floors. Repeat once a year, preferably every autumn before the first cold snaps arrive.
📋 The Result
The gasket regains its shine and original softness. EPDM life expectancy: 15–20 years provided we take care of it annually.
Maintenance Guide in 3 Simple Steps
The best time is late autumn, before the cold sets in. The entire process takes no more than 10 minutes per window - once a year is enough.
1️⃣ Clean
Open the sash. Wipe all gaskets (sash + frame) with a soft cloth dipped in lukewarm water and mild dish soap. Dust acts like sandpaper.
2️⃣ Dry
Wipe with a dry microfibre cloth. Do not apply silicone to wet rubber - it will not penetrate the pores properly.
3️⃣ Silicone
Spray onto a cloth, massage each gasket one by one. They will shine immediately. Wipe off any excess. Done!
The difference before and after is visible to the naked eye: the gasket goes from hard and dried-out to soft and supple again. A single bottle of silicone spray costs under €5, covers the entire home and saves multiples in gasket replacements down the line.
💡 Tip: EPDM gaskets have a life expectancy of 15–20 years - as long as we "feed" them silicone once a year. Your heating bill will thank you!
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