If you take a good look at the PVC window frame, you will notice holes at the bottom or top of the profile. Such “holes”, at first glance, do not provide any useful function, but if you consider their functional purpose, it will immediately become clear that they are the most important element of PVC windows.
Drainage holes in plastic windows are necessary to remove accumulated liquid, ensure microcirculation of air between the street and the room, reduce wind pressure, and also heat colored profiles.
How does moisture appear inside windows?
The window profile is well sealed, but it still contains separate cavities that provide air exchange between the room and the street.
In residential buildings, the air is characterized by higher humidity compared to the street. Water vapor leaks through small cavities, which cools and forms condensation. This can be observed between the sash and the frame, in the rebate area where the double-glazed window is installed.
Can they blow?
Window installation and repair specialists can name about 40 reasons why it may blow from a window in winter. Among them there is no mention of drainage. The explanation is simple: it blows when there is a through gap from the street into the apartment. The drainage is designed in such a way that through the holes made in the profile, air from the street cannot enter the apartment in any way - the opposite solid wall of the chamber interferes.
Conclusion: it is basically impossible to blow through the drainage holes.
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What are the holes in plastic windows for?
Window drainage is an important component of the entire window structure. Small holes in the frame perform two main functions: drainage and ventilation.
The holes remove excess moisture that has entered the PVC window frame through leaky sashes as a result of intensive washing, precipitation or condensation. To get the liquid out, a mechanism called drainage is used.
Its design is quite simple, but the drainage system prevents liquid from entering the reinforcing profile. When a lot of water accumulates, it begins to exit to the outer part of the window through a moisture-wicking slot, which is installed at the stage of manufacturing the structure. To do this, use drain holes in plastic windows.
With the help of drainage parts, air exchange in the window is ensured. Drainage allows you to ventilate the chambers, as it allows air to penetrate inside. In this case, the liquid is discharged to the outer part of the window without any obstacles.
In addition to these functions, the holes are useful in that they compensate for the effects of strong winds and regulate the heating of colored frames in the sun. That is, small holes in the window are necessary elements to make the use of PVC windows safer and longer.
Drainage system mechanism
Stage 2. Preparation of the double-glazed window
This is a very important step in preparing plastic windows for winter, allowing you to avoid structural damage. For cleaning, use soft rags (flannel works great) or paper towels soaked in soapy water. Please act very carefully to avoid leaving scratches on the fragile surface of the window. When cleaning glass, do not use any types of brushes or metal meshes.
If you have self-cleaning double-glazed windows installed, you just need to wipe their surface without streaks.
Varieties
If we take the shape of the drainage holes as a criterion, two types should be distinguished:
- flat;
- round.
Professional craftsmen claim that flat cavities are more reliable and correct. They are installed in high-quality windows by conscientious manufacturers. The plugs for them, accordingly, are also different in shape.
If there is an impost in the window, then in this case drainage cavities are a necessity. They will look like holes drilled with a drill at the bottom of the mullion.
Adjusting fittings is a panacea for high bills and elevated body temperature
A common problem among PVC window users is a loose window handle. To tighten it, turn the handle to the “open” position (parallel to the window sill), turn the handle cover located at the base 90 degrees. There are two screws under the trim that need to be tightened with a Phillips screwdriver.
Also a necessary action on the eve of winter is to check the tightness of the window sash. For this purpose, you should insert a regular sheet of paper into the sash door and close it. Ideally, a sheet of paper can be removed quite easily, with minimal effort. The smooth removal of paper from under the seal is an indication that the window fittings need to be reconfigured to “winter mode”.
To do this, the sash opens and on the end part (at the installation site of the fittings system) there are roller pins. In principle, in windows from different manufacturers they may differ in appearance, but, as a rule, in production they always set the middle position. Now you should insert a hex key into the roller journal and turn it so that maximum pressure is ensured. In this way, the fittings are transferred to the required mode corresponding to the winter season. Close the sash. Evidence of correct adjustment will be an increase in the force on the handle, and the sash will now close more tightly.
With the onset of the spring thaw, the fittings should be adjusted again to avoid premature wear of the seals.
Compensation holes in PVC windows
Such holes are usually made in windows installed at a height of 20 m. At such a height, increased wind pressure occurs, due to which water does not leave the frame, but accumulates in it, so there is a need for compensation openings located between the frame and the sash at the top of the horizontal profile.
They must be placed at a distance of at least 5 cm from each other, otherwise the windows will simply “whistle”. The size of the hole itself is regulated by GOST, which states that it must be at least 5x10 mm. It is also prohibited to place them in places where linings are installed under double-glazed windows.
Stage 4. Seal care and replacement
Please note that the seal is the most important element of the window design, which, despite its modest appearance, plays a vital role in the comfortable operation of the profile. It is this that helps prevent cold air and dirt from entering the room, and becomes an obstacle to noise from the street.
At least once a year, when preparing PVC windows for winter, the seal is cleaned and treated with a special product. This will help avoid cracks and tears in the material.
Procedure for preparing a window for winter:
- Opening the sash.
- Cleaning from dirt, dust and external contaminants. First, dry rags or brushes are used, then wet wipes or soft sponges dipped in soapy water.
- Wait until the gum is completely dry.
- Lubricating with a spray or solution containing silicone or glycerin.
- If a cracked section of the seal is found, it should be replaced before it gets cold outside.
It is strictly not recommended to use talc, petroleum jelly, machine oil or creams containing glycerin to treat the seal.
It is better to use products specifically designed for this purpose, offered by window manufacturers.
Lubrication is a necessary procedure to avoid the appearance of cracks and tears in the material. In addition, when preparing a plastic window for winter, fragments of the seal that have fallen out of the grooves become noticeable; they should be filled in with your own hands or you can contact me for help.
Replacing the seal
In some cases, the seal loses its elasticity, then it should be replaced. Otherwise, the profile will lose its functionality, the design will let cold, noise, and dirt in from the street. To replace, you can use the following step-by-step algorithm:
- Open the sash and remove the old seal.
- Remove dirt, dust, process grooves.
- Starting from the top corner, insert a new rubber seal. There is no need to pull it, otherwise the corners will not match.
Please note that when replacing the seal, you should not turn the eccentrics to the maximum, as this will cause a rapid loss of elasticity.
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Ventilation holes
Such openings are made exclusively in colored frames. Due to constant heating by the sun's rays, the colored profile may distort its shape over time. To reduce the negative consequences, ventilation holes are installed. At least one cavity is made on both sides of the profile.
The diameter of the ventilation holes should not exceed 5-6 mm. They should be installed so that they do not pass through the walls of the main chambers. An important point is that these openings must have smooth edges, since there should be no obstacles to the outflow of accumulated water.
No worries
The formation of condensation on windows during the cold season indicates that the house has problems with the ventilation system, which simply cannot cope, and the integrity of the waterproofing is compromised or the insulation is performed improperly.
- For example, if there is a bathroom on the attic floor, then the formation of condensation on the windows while taking a shower is inevitable. This is a normal process if, after some time, the glass dries out on its own or, after wiping it, the moisture does not condense again;
- If the attic is equipped as a kitchen, which is often used, and condensation forms only when the temperature rises;
- If there are a large number of indoor plants under the attic window. Some of them are especially prone to releasing large amounts of moisture. In this case, it is enough to change their location and observe. If moisture no longer condenses on the surface of the glass unit, then you have found the reason;
- If recently renovation work has been carried out involving finishing the premises with various building mixtures. When they dry, a large amount of moisture is released into the environment, which leads to dampness in the room and condensation. After the solution has completely dried and the room has been ventilated, the microclimate will be restored and the windows will be dry again.
Drainage holes in plastic windows according to GOST
According to GOST 30674-99, drainage holes should be located in the deepest places of the folds, and the distance between them should be at least 60 cm. At the bottom of the profile there are two openings with a diameter of 5x10 mm, and at the top - also two, if the profile has a length of up to 1 m ., and if more than 1 m, 3 cavities are placed. That is, the number of holes depends on the dimensions of the metal-plastic structure.
The window frame must contain at least two “holes” of round and semicircular shape. If the structure is large, many holes are made. GOST regulates not only the quantity, but also the location of drainage cavities. This information should also be contained in the individual window system's "recycler folders".
White crack sealant
- The hole in the frame can be sealed using liquid plastic (Cosmofen 345 or Cosmofen plus). It is enough to apply it into the hole and then give it time to harden. It is advisable to apply it liberally, and after hardening, carefully cut off the excess, as it may sag a little during the hardening process, and the surface may end up with a hole.
Liquid nails are great for filling holes. Their scope of application is very wide; they are used not only for PVC, but also for wood, plasterboard, glass and other surfaces. They have good sealing characteristics for sealing any cracks. Liquid nails are aesthetically pleasing and have a long service life. In fact, they are a type of construction adhesive, which includes various fine-grained fillers.
In fact, there are several ways to solve the problem with holes in the frame. All of them will be correct, but the result may be different. The choice, of course, will be entirely up to the window owners.
How to seal holes in the frame from self-tapping screws ? The method of applying liquid nails is as follows:
Having secured the hooks, remove the mosquito net and put it away - preferably in the next room. It will not be required until the installation work is completed.
The plastic window must be disassembled before installation:
A special situation is a window with a full-frame sash (or a full-frame capercaillie) with a width of over 1100 mm. In this case, the installation of central anchors from the bottom and top is also necessary, as well as on the sides, so that the frame does not squeeze out into the window. In any case, I repeat, follow a simple rule when determining the number of attachment points: the distance between adjacent anchors should be no more than 700 mm!
How to make drainage with your own hands
Additional drilling of ventilation ducts is required only in exceptional cases. Usually the required number of holes is set by the window manufacturer. But if there is such a need, the installer or the customer himself can drill holes.
Doing this yourself is not very difficult. First you need to find the profile section and take measurements, calculate the number and location of holes, and then drill them. To drill plastic, it is better to use a milling cutter, but you can also use a regular drill, selecting it according to the size of the plugs, which are usually supplied with the structure.
Another option is to make small slits using a drill and metal bit. It is necessary to drill one wall of the outer frame. It is necessary to choose the size of the drill, again, taking into account which plugs are included in the kit. You should also remember the importance of not only external, but also internal holes.
Even if the metal-plastic structures were produced by the manufacturer without drainage, you can make the slots yourself. Of course, if this task seems too difficult, you should invite professional craftsmen. It’s better to make sure there is drainage at the stage of choosing windows, so that there are no such surprises later.
Is it worth doing it yourself?
When drilling windows, care and accurate calculations are needed, since this activity is not only important, but also dangerous. If you do not have skills in this area, you need to carefully study the technical material or ask for advice from professionals.
Specialists know about the structure of structures and the nuances of various models, the location of air chambers in which holes need to be drilled.
There are also vulnerable points in the design of windows, in case of accidental damage the window must be quickly sealed.
The conclusion is simple: if you are confident in your knowledge and skills, you can make the holes yourself. If you don’t want to take risks, you can call professionals.
