Drafts in an apartment are dangerous to the health of both children and adults. They contribute to the development of colds, cause discomfort and increase the cost of heating rooms in the winter.
The source of a draft in an apartment is usually the doors leading to a balcony or loggia. This problem is typical for most old wooden balcony blocks. Many owners of plastic doors to the balcony, who installed them two or three years ago, also encounter this problem. And if the installation of metal-plastic glazing was done incorrectly, then you may find that it is blowing even from a new plastic balcony door.
Causes of the problem
Cold air enters through the balcony door due to a violation of the tightness of the door leaf to the frame. Wooden doors become bent and sag over time, and a plastic balcony door usually lets cold air in from the hinges due to malfunction of the fittings.
After installing the plastic balcony block, the technician must make adjustments to the fittings. However, during active use, the mechanism wears out, which is why the door leaf adheres weaker to the jamb.
Prices for repairs of balcony doors and other types of work
The price for repairing balcony doors is from 300 rubles.
Make your own calculation of the cost of repair and maintenance of windows and doors
| collapseexpand | ||
| Window/door adjustment | ||
| Adjusting the sash of a plastic window | 400 rub. | sash |
| Adjusting the plastic balcony door | 600 rub. | door |
| Adjusting the window sash on the loggia (facade glazing) | 400 rub. | sash |
| Adjusting the sash of a wooden window with double glazing | 400 rub. | sash |
| Adjusting the plastic entrance door | 1000 rub. | door |
| Adjusting the plastic entrance door closer | 700 rub. | PC |
| Alignment of window sash geometry (repacking) | 700 rub. | sash |
| Aligning the geometry of the balcony door (repacking) | 900 rub. | door |
| Window/door repair | ||
| Repair of a plastic window sash (reassembly of fittings) | 1000 rub. | sash |
| Repair of a plastic balcony door (reassembly of fittings) | 1200 rub. | door |
| Repair of façade glazing window sash (refurbishment of fittings) | 1200 rub. | sash |
| Repair of a wooden window sash with double glazed windows (rebuilding fittings) | 1000 rub. | sash |
| Repair of a plastic entrance door (bulkhead fittings) | 1500 rub. | door |
| Replacing window/door seals | ||
| Replacing the seal of plastic windows/doors | from 100 rub. | p.m. |
| Replacing the seal of a wooden window with double glazing | from 200 rub. | p.m. |
| Replacing the façade glazing window seal | from 200 rub. | p.m. |
| Replacing the seal of plastic entrance doors | 150 rub. | p.m. |
| Replacement of window/door fittings | ||
| Replacing the handle of a plastic window/balcony door | 300 rub. | pen+work |
| Replacing the top hinge of a plastic window | from 1000 rub. | hinge + work (pivot window sash) |
| Replacing the bottom hinge of a plastic window | from 1000 rub. | loop+work |
| Replacing plastic window scissors | from 2000 rub. | scissors+work (tilt-and-turn sash) |
| Replacing the main lock (drive, gearbox) of a window | from 2500 rub. | drive+work |
| Replacing the top hinge of a plastic balcony door | from 1300 rub. | hinge+operation (pivot balcony door) |
| Replacing the bottom hinge of a plastic balcony door | from 1300 rub. | loop+work |
| Replacing the scissors of a plastic balcony door | from 2300 rub. | scissors + work (tilt-and-turn balcony door) |
| Replacing the main lock (drive, gearbox) of a plastic balcony door | from 3000 rub. | drive+work |
| Installation of clamps | from 450 rub. | PC |
| Installation of lock strike plates | from 300 rub. | PC |
| Replacing the hinge of a plastic entrance door | from 2300 rub. | PC |
| Sealing window/door seams | ||
| Sealing the internal seam of windows/doors | from 200 rub. | p.m. |
| Sealing the external seam of windows/doors | from 250 rub. | p.m. |
| Window/door service | ||
| Converting winter/summer mode | 100 rub. | leaf/door |
| PVC window sash service | 600 rub. | sash |
| Maintenance of plastic balcony doors | 800 rub. | door |
| Maintenance of wooden window sash with double glazing | 600 rub. | sash |
| Service maintenance of façade glazing window sash | 600 rub. | sash |
| Maintenance of a wooden door with double glazed windows | 800 rub. | door |
| Servicing of a plastic entrance door | 1200 rub. | door |
| Cleaning and lubrication of fittings | 200 rub. | leaf/door |
| Window/door opening limiters | ||
| Installing a comb on a window/door | 300 rub. | comb+work |
| Installing a comb on a façade window | 600 rub. | comb+work |
| Installing a handle with a key on a window/door | from 700 rub. | pen+work |
| Installing a child lock on a window | from 900 rub. | lock+work |
| Installing an opening limiter with a cable | 1300 rub. | lock+work |
| Installing a latch on a balcony door “smoker’s kit” | 900 rub. | latch+work |
| Installation of the petal handle | from 100 rub. | pen+work |
| Installing a double-sided handle on a balcony door | 2000 rub. | pen+work |
| Finishing of plastic windows/doors | ||
| Reinstallation of drainage system with foaming | from 500 rub. | PC |
| Installation of drainage systems | from 1000 rub. | Job |
| Installation of window sills | from 1000 rub. | Job |
| Installation of slopes | from 300 rub. | m.p. |
| Replacement of glass unit | ||
| Replacing a single-chamber double-glazed window | 2000 rub. | sq.m. |
| Replacing double-glazed windows | 2500 rub. | sq.m. |
Eliminating the reason for a plastic door
The problem of cold air entering from a plastic balcony door is familiar to many. To eliminate it, it is necessary to find out the cause of drafts.
First of all, you should check the condition of the rubber seal of the balcony door. If you find signs of wear on it, then it's time to change the sealing contour. Please note that there are no universal seals for plastic window and door units. They differ in size and cross-sectional shape. Therefore, when going to the store to buy a new sealing contour, take a piece of old tape with you. Before installing the seal, be sure to clean the inside of the groove from dust and dirt.
If the rubber band is not damaged, it is worth adjusting the fit of the sash to the frame. After all, poor pressure is another common reason why there is blowing from the balcony door. You can check the quality of fit of the sash to the frame using a simple test. Take a sheet of paper, clamp it between the canvas and the profile and close the sash. After this, start pulling out the sheet. If the paper is difficult to pull out, then everything is fine. Otherwise, you need to adjust the pressing force of the sash.
The locking elements are responsible for the tight fit of the door to the frame. The method for adjusting the degree of pressing of the canvas to the frame depends on the design of the fittings:
- Typically, adjustment is made by turning the eccentrics located at the end of the blade. A hex wrench is used for this.
- If the fittings include a trunnion, then the pressure is adjusted by installing the trunnion at the desired angle. This will require pliers. A right angle to the sash ensures maximum fit.
- A counter plate is also used to adjust the degree of pressure. It is moved by rotating a special screw using a hexagon.
A draft can occur due to the fact that the door to the balcony does not close well. Over time, the sash sags under its own weight and a gap forms on top through which cold air enters. If it is blowing from below, then you need to adjust the position of the lower corner of the canvas. These defects can be eliminated by tightening the axial screws.
A cold breeze may come from under the handle of a plastic door. This indicates that the mechanism has ceased to perform its functions. To correct the situation, you need to tighten and tighten all fasteners tightly.
In the process of eliminating the causes of the draft, it may turn out that:
- the fittings are worn out and need to be replaced;
- There was a defect in the manufacture of the sash;
- The installation of the balcony block was carried out with violations of technology.
Therefore, it is best to entrust the adjustment of the balcony door to the craftsmen of the company that installed the plastic glazing. They are required to fix these problems under warranty. If the warranty period has expired, you can contact any specialized company that provides such services. Well, if you have some skills and free time, you can try to adjust the fittings of the plastic structure yourself.
How to properly adjust the door leaf?
If it blows from the side of the hinges or from another place, then you can solve the problem using a regular screwdriver, as well as a set of hexagons, a tape measure, plastic spacers, and pliers.
Next, let's get down to work:
- Carry out an inspection and find out what condition the seals and handles are in.
- If the problem is found in the door, then open it and look for the adjustment screws, usually there are three of them. Unscrew the screws and remove the canvas.
When it is removed, you will see a large screw that is needed for horizontal adjustment. If you tighten one of the three screws, you can level the leaf, but in order to move the sash in any direction, you need to tighten all the screws. - To adjust vertically, you need to tighten the bottom screws.
- In case of tightening the lower corners, tighten the lower screw while turning the sash. If the seal is in poor condition, lift the sash and adjust the hinges (lower and upper).
- If such measures do not produce results, try using plastic spacers that are installed between the profile and the door glass. But keep in mind that this may void your warranty on the entire structure, so resort to this method only in extreme cases.
If you have tried all the methods and got zero results, then call a specialist, as professional adjustment will save you money on buying a new plastic door.
If you think that you can do this kind of work yourself, then be sure to read the relevant instructions and watch the video on YouTube, which clearly shows the sequence of work.
Preventive actions
All balcony doors require regular maintenance, because any mechanism fails sooner or later. It is advisable to adjust the pressure of the plastic sash twice a year when the season changes. It is recommended to loosen the pressure before the onset of hot weather, and increase it during the cold season. This will reduce wear on parts of the plastic structure.
It is also necessary to take care of the rubber seal. Over time, its elasticity deteriorates, and cracks and tears appear on the surface. However, the service life of the sealing contour can be extended by lubricating it with a special silicone-based gel every 6 months. And once every five years it is recommended to change the seal for preventive purposes.
To prevent wooden balcony doors from deforming and drying out, they must be painted regularly. The paint coating protects the wood from moisture and prevents swelling. For painting, it is best to use acrylic water-dispersion varnishes and paints, which dry quickly and do not emit toxic fumes.
The hinges of wooden balcony blocks need to be periodically lubricated and adjusted. This will ensure a tighter fit of the sash and extend the life of the hinges.
Insulation of slopes
It is best to immediately install slopes from the same material as the door. To make a plastic slope with insulation, a lathing made of wooden plates is installed under it. It is believed that areas under slopes are especially susceptible to moisture, which accumulates here in large quantities, so it is better to install metal-plastic slopes.
The insulation is placed between the lathing plates; mineral wool is suitable for this. Along the edges of the slopes, metal-plastic strips are installed, straight or angular, depending on the situation. The gap between the metal-plastic profile and the window opening can also be closed with an F strip.
Before installing the slopes, check the joints - they must be properly filled with polyurethane foam. If there are gaps, we go through them again, for which we remove a little foam next to the missed area and re-fill the resulting opening.
Slopes can also be made from plasterboard. The order of work, in principle, differs little from that described above. However, many do not want to make slopes from plasterboard, because then they will need to be puttied and finished, which requires some skills and experience in construction work.
A simpler option may seem to be insulation with polystyrene foam, which is glued to the surface under the slopes with a special adhesive composition. Then a reinforcing mesh is attached, along which puttying and finishing work is carried out. So, ultimately, due to puttying and painting, the amount of work turns out to be no less, and possibly more.
