One of the mandatory maintenance procedures for a plastic window is its adjustment.
To make a quality adjustment, you need to use high-quality tools.
In addition, you should know the parameters and sizes of each element in the set.
What tools are needed to adjust a plastic window?
You need a basic set, which is most likely available in every home:
- key number 4, hexagon;
- flat and Phillips screwdrivers;
- pliers;
- screwdriver and a set of bits of different shapes.
The main tool for adjustment is a hexagon, which you cannot do without. If one or more of these tools is not suitable in a particular case, you should contact a furniture store for advice. The most common size for assembling modern furniture is 4 mm, it is very common, so finding it will not be difficult.
Screw connections and fittings attached to the profile require screwdrivers and a screwdriver. You can use pliers as an auxiliary tool.
If possible, purchase silicone hardware lubricant, WD-40, or other aerosol lubricant.
Why do plastic windows loosen: the main reasons
There is a wide list of reasons for problems with double-glazed windows:
- A manufacturing defect that appeared over time.
- Improper operation leading to depressurization, window cracks, and bead breakage.
- Errors and negligence during installation: insufficient filling of cracks with foam, leaky placement of double-glazed windows in the window opening.
- Wear of parts inside and outside the structure.
To avoid de-sealing of windows, you need to be careful and responsible during installation and follow the operating rules.
Advantages of ordering PVC windows from us
"Window Technologies" is a well-known Moscow company specializing in the production and installation of PVC windows. Among the advantages of our organization are:
- High quality windows.
- Professional and quick dismantling of old and installation of new windows.
- Adequate price, promotions, surprises, discounts.
- Free measurement and transportation within Moscow.
- Providing guarantees.
- Wide range of materials, parts and accessories.
Installation of metal-plastic window structures is carried out by highly qualified professionals. How much does it cost to install plastic windows? WE will provide excellent value for money and installation quality. A large amount of experience in the production, installation and maintenance of metal-plastic windows helps our company’s employees carry out work quickly, thoroughly and without errors.
Types of adjustment of plastic structures
There are several types of repairs that may be needed after accurately identifying a specific malfunction in the mechanism and its cause. You should not try to fix something that is not broken, and if difficulties arise, it is better to delve into the topic in more detail by consulting the nearest furniture store, or call a specialist to your home.
Adjusting fittings
The window may not close due to problems with the lock, blocking the ability to turn the handle and make the glass unit airtight. They are needed to avoid breakage of the handle. Fixing this problem will not be a difficult task. You need to find the inscription on the window lock: if the “AUBI” marking is present, you should point the sash vertically upward, press the plate with the spring and put the handle in the required position.
When does it become necessary to adjust window fittings?
Adjustment of window fittings may be required in the following cases:
- the design does not retain heat in the room well, drafts appear; the handle does not close completely, dangles or, conversely, turns with difficulty; the sash sags and touches the frame when moving.
Why do such problems occur? There may be several reasons.
- Deformation of fittings elements. This often happens with low-quality, cheap products.
- Incorrect operation of the structure - turning the handle when the window is open, abruptly closing it all the way, etc.
- Adverse weather conditions. Each product is designed to operate in a certain temperature and humidity conditions, otherwise individual window elements will not function properly.
- Violation of technology for installing structures.
- House shrinkage.
A stiff window handle can cause damage to the entire locking mechanism.
Another reason to adjust the pressure fittings twice a year is the life of the seal. By loosening the pressure in the summer and increasing it in the winter, you protect the seal from drying out, loss of volume and deformation. Adjusting to changing temperatures during these seasons also reduces the internal stress of the window structure.
How to adjust a plastic window so that there is no draft
Living in big cities often involves working and living at altitude, where the wind is much stronger. Therefore, solving the common problem of how to adjust plastic windows yourself if it is blowing is necessary.
Drafts can come from different parts of the window, but in most cases problems arise with the seal. Its service life is approximately 10-15 years, depending on use, but if the window is opened for ventilation every day, the seal will wear off much faster. The way to replace it is simple: remove the old one and attach a new one.
Sometimes there is blowing from under hinges, handles or other fittings. To fix this, you need to insulate or replace the loosely adjacent element.
There is a larger problem - a draft from the crack under the window sill. The hole itself may appear as a result of improper installation of the double-glazed window. The solution to the problem is to seal the gap with foam. If the problem is in the design and mechanism of the window, repair work will be required.
How to adjust plastic windows according to the season
Changing temperature conditions increases the wear of double-glazed windows, so they need to be adjusted for winter, summer, and, under special environmental conditions, also in the off-season. Typically, a change in mode is not required in the first year or the next few years, since during installation a neutral mode is established that can withstand changes in temperature and the strength of air flows.
For summer
Loosening the operation of the locking mechanisms allows access to fresh air into the room and its proper circulation. To change the mode, you need to turn the locking pins. To find out what mode the window is in, provided there are no problems, just check for a draft.
When to change the glazing mode?
When the frame begins to blow when the temperature drops to 4-8°C below zero, it’s time to switch it to winter mode. When the outside temperature rises in the spring, the operating mode of the windows is changed to summer. In winter mode, the sealing contour wears out greatly. If there is no need, it is better to operate the window in summer mode. When the rubber in the opening wears out, it is replaced.
How to repair or replace a plastic window handle yourself
The handle is the most worn element of the window, as it is constantly exposed to force, and the range of problems that arise with it is very wide. But the handle itself is not a very complex mechanism; you can fix the problems that arise yourself.
Handle jammed
Problems that arise with the handle wedge are most likely associated with a lock that is out of place, or lie in a breakdown of the handle turning mechanism. In the first case, you need to move the blocker with pliers and lubricate it. In the second case, the handle will most likely need to be replaced.
The handle is loose
In this case, the problem is in attaching the handle to the frame. The problem is solved by replacing the fasteners or simply tightening the loose bolts.
The handle is difficult to turn
Problems with turning the handle have several causes. Perhaps the fastener was tightened too tightly, then it should be loosened. Sometimes it is enough to simply lubricate the turning mechanism. Maybe the window mode is stuck, making it impossible to turn the knob normally - then you need to move it manually, otherwise the mechanism will break completely.
Complete handle replacement
If the old one is completely worn out, broken, or unable to perform its functions, you will have to purchase a new one. To replace, you need to unscrew the old handle from inside the window and insert a new one in its place. If the previous one was broken, you need to completely clean the handle groove and lubricate it.
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If the sash touches the frame on the left
Depending on the exact vertical point where friction on the frame occurs, you need to adjust the upper or lower hinge. Most often, grazing appears at the top left, since the sash is constantly exposed to regular downward forces. As a result, its lower part moves slightly to the right over time, and the upper left part begins to rub against the frame.
In this case, adjustment begins by returning the lower part of the sash to the optimal position by adjusting the lower hinge. When the window is open, you should insert a hexagon from the inside of the lower hinge and, turning it, shift the position of the sash to the position we need.
The hole shown in the photo is responsible for the movement of the sash left and right relative to the frame. The top loop is adjusted in the same way. As in previous manipulations, make one or two turns and check the result by placing the sash in the position where the shift was noticeable. Thus, by controlling the horizontal position of the upper and lower parts of the sash, you can achieve its optimal position relative to the left part of the frame.
What to do if the plastic window does not close
There are a number of reasons for this phenomenon. It may be necessary to completely replace the mechanism, and if the cause cannot be determined on your own, you should contact a professional. The simplest thing you can replace yourself is a handle, a lock or hinges, as mentioned above.
A plastic double-glazed window is not the simplest mechanism; there is a whole range of reasons that can lead to problems with every detail. It is not always necessary to contact specialists: there are many photo and video materials on how to adjust plastic windows yourself. But in the event of a serious breakdown, you should never rely on your own strengths without the support of trained professionals.
