Jambs when installing plastic windows - what to do?

Improper installation of plastic windows can lead to heat leakage, unwanted air currents entering the building and accelerated destruction of window frames. The WINDOWS MEDIA portal presents 10 mistakes that installers most often make.

Many contractors install windows the same way they were done years ago, without using the proper insulation materials and modern technology. They install the window block, apply foam and fix the frame without additional accessories to protect it from moisture, considering this unnecessary. Installation is often done too quickly and carelessly, so as a result, the plastic windows are weakly attached to the wall, and the mounting foam does not protect against moisture. What mistakes should be avoided when installing plastic windows?

Wrong window size selected

This error is a consequence of incorrect measurement of the window opening and such windows should not be installed at all: if they are too large, the insulation layer will not fit; if they are too small, they will look unsightly. In both cases, correct installation is impossible, and over time, moisture will begin to blow through and penetrate through such plastic windows.

Problem solving

Any errors and methods for eliminating them must be eliminated at the stage of concluding the contract. In addition to the necessary points that we mentioned above, you need to check the warranty. Thanks to it, if unpleasant defects are discovered in the winter, after installing windows in the summer, an honest company will not only correct installation defects, but also carry out seasonal adjustments to the structures.

In addition, today there are many companies offering maintenance services for window structures. They can be contacted if the warranty does not apply. But, alas, the likelihood of running into scammers is high, and for adjusting three windows you may be charged ten, or even fifteen thousand. In fact, it costs five times less.

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Improper surface cleaning

This happens both when replacing old windows with new ones, and when installing plastic windows in new buildings. Loose fragments of uncured mortar, debris, dust or remnants of old sealant cause the foam to bond poorly to the substrate. Contaminants absorb moisture and water, which can thus penetrate inside the house. They can also cause blowing.

Making a claim

It is written by hand in two copies.

Let us briefly repeat what should be in this important document:

• the name of the performing company with its exact location address;
• your full name and telephone number to contact you;
• description of the identified defects – briefly and in as much detail as possible;
• there is no need to list all the defects, just one most significant one is enough, which is worth writing about;
• state your requirements;
• set deadlines for fulfilling your claim. Usually it is 10 working days;

Don't forget to indicate the date and sign the papers.

Incorrect installation of PVC windows in terms of wall thermal insulation

This mistake will contribute to the creation of cold bridges at the junction of the wall and window frame. In a single-layer wall, the window should be located in the middle of the wall, in a three-layer wall - in the plane of the thermal insulation, and in a two-layer wall - at the very edge in close proximity to the insulation or extend beyond it.

Where can I file a claim?

The general rules of the courts determine that the claim is filed at the place of presence of the defendant - at the legal address of the company or the actual location of its branch, the address of the representative office or store. By the way, it is recommended to indicate both addresses in the statement of claim, one being designated “for correspondence.”

Important! The issue of the level of the judicial body is determined by the amount of the claim or the price of the claim: if it is up to 50 thousand rubles, then the application is considered by a magistrate, if it exceeds this limit, then by a federal judge - the claim is filed in the district court.

Poor quality placement of a plastic window in the wall

Excessive abutment of the window frame to the casing or slope will make it impossible to properly seal in these places. If, in addition, the junction between the PVC window frame and the wall is plastered, then, after some time, cracks will appear in this place as a result of compression and stretching of the window frame due to thermal expansion of the material. Moisture will eventually begin to penetrate through the resulting cracks, which will lead to dampening of the wall insulation layer.

A mistake is also the distance from the window to the slope being too large. This leads to excessive load on the dowels or anchors, creating the risk of deformation and displacement of the plastic window under the influence of external loads. The maximum size of the gap between the frame and the opening should be 3-4 cm (a little more at the bottom if a window sill profile is installed). The correct distance of the frame from the platband is approximately 1.5 centimeters.

Errors and their consequences

1. Violation of general requirements. You may run into scammers who will install without following:

• Parameters of SNiP 2.08.01-89* “Residential buildings” for premises. Air temperature in winter and summer, humidity, and the quality of heating have almost a decisive influence on operation. It is worth remembering that only the client or the housing office can influence these parameters, installation companies have nothing to do with it. A competent surveyor can only draw the client’s attention to violations: the apartment is very cold, the hood is not working, etc.
• Requirements for materials of installation joints (according to GOST). The choice of quality materials is of paramount importance. Before installation, check compliance with the expiration date, storage conditions, permissible temperature conditions for work on mixtures, compatibility and water resistance of the materials used.

Poor installation may cause sashes to sag, glass to crack, etc.

Due to neglect of general requirements, after some time moisture will begin to accumulate in the seams of the structure, the slopes will crack, and temperature changes will cause mold to appear. And these are only the lesser of the evils, because low-quality materials can emit harmful substances that have a negative impact on the health of residents. Afterwards, it is very difficult to prove the fact of their use during installation.

1. Poor installation. Amateurs often make mistakes at all stages of installation:

• Preparing the opening. It is not done or done incorrectly. This leads to peeling of the assembly seam materials from the opening and, as a result, to blowing, freezing, and a reduction in service life. Installers must carry out preliminary preparations according to the following scheme: dismantling old windows, removing remnants of frames and fasteners;
• sealing large holes and craters in the opening;
• high-quality surface dust removal;
• drying (in winter);
• moistening the surface (when working with appropriate materials);
• priming the surface of the opening.

Remains of frames and fasteners from previous structures interfere with the installation of new ones and negate the effect of foam and sealants. Dust removal, moisturizing and priming ensure reliable adhesion of surfaces, preventing drafts and ice formation on the window. Also, insufficient removal of ice and drying of the opening in winter will lead to the accumulation of moisture in the installation seams and the formation of mold, consequently reducing the service life of the foam and neutralizing its insulating properties.

• Improper installation and fixation of the window in the opening leads to the structure sagging in level. Among the typical mistakes at this stage are: the use of thin plates for drywall, instead of specialized ones. Thin mounts are not designed for such loads. The desire to save will result in additional expenses and replacement of the package in a year or two;
• non-compliance with the spacing of fastenings (5–7 points instead of 8–10) is not a critical violation, but further use of structures (especially in old buildings) is reminiscent of playing Russian roulette;
• using the wrong pads . Often, instead of dry wood or plastic, they use anything: stones, pieces of concrete, timber, rags, plastic scraps. After this, during operation, the window on such linings sags: cracks and other defects appear. There can be no question of high-quality heat, moisture and noise insulation when using the structure.

Installation requires compliance with all dimensions and proportions

• Incorrect provision of the assembly seam . Typically, the installation seam should consist of three layers: an outer vapor-permeable layer, a central heat and noise insulation layer, and an inner vapor barrier layer. Often the outer layer (tape, sealant or plaster) is not done at all or done poorly. Because of this, after a year or two the foam completely loses its insulating and heat-shielding properties and crumbles. If, with all this, there was still a saving in materials, that is, insufficient foaming to the entire depth of the opening with the admission of voids (exactly in the center of the opening), then in winter you will find unpleasant surprises in the form of condensation, mold and drafts due to temperature changes. The inner layer (tape or sealant) is also often not done, which leads to the destruction of the foam from the inside. But it is worth mentioning that the internal seam, unlike the external one, is not always necessary. It is applied only when finishing slopes with wet materials: plaster for exterior use and drywall.
• Careless finishing of slopes . Most often, slopes are installed cut from pieces of material. Provided that the sealant is applied properly, the seams can be reliably protected from moisture. However, the basic technology involves the installation of monolithic slopes without cuts, breaks or cracks, otherwise the appearance of mold and condensation cannot be avoided.

Correct installation of slopes ensures reliable moisture insulation

• Installation of ebb tides . The ebb is not always cut exactly along the width of the opening; there are gaps on the sides that must be plastered or sealed with sealant. If this is not done, moisture will begin to get under the ebb, destroying the installation seam. Often the ebb is simply laid on the opening without gluing soundproofing tape or foaming the space underneath. This way you will know exactly when the rain started and stopped.
• Window sill installation . The process is not so complicated, but very responsible. As with the frame, incorrectly selected pads disrupt the level of the window sill. For these purposes, it is worth choosing high-quality plastic or wooden products. A large step when installing them leads to sagging of the window sill, the formation of gaps, and a violation of the tightness of the structure.
• Incorrect finishing of slopes . If we talk about external slopes (from the street side), then here they can use materials (plaster, sealant) for internal work, which quickly collapse under the influence of moisture, sun, and snow.

If we are talking about internal slopes, then you need to understand which option you chose. When plastering internal slopes, do not forget about preparing the opening (priming, installing reinforcing mesh). If the plaster layer is thick, you should not do everything in one go. When installing plasterboard slopes, you should not use non-moisture resistant material; it can swell or become moldy due to changes in humidity and temperature. Both drywall and plastic panels should be cut perfectly evenly to obtain minimal gaps at the joints, which can be easily covered up. The slopes must be secured to the opening securely to avoid cracks at the joints.

• Insufficient adjustment of window mechanisms . The use of tilt, turn and micro-ventilation is often difficult due to unlubricated or unadjusted mechanisms and defects. The installers must make the adjustments in your presence and show you several times how to use them correctly.

It is very important to check the operation of the mechanisms in the presence of workers

• Failure to press the sash tightly against the frame can lead to blowing in the winter and subsequent formation of condensation or ice. On the contrary, too tight a clamp can lead to failure of the fittings. It is worth paying attention to this when accepting windows.

The drainage hole of the profile in the PVC windows is clogged

This helps to destroy the frame and reduce the tightness of plastic windows. This situation may arise when replacing old windows with new ones if the ebb is located higher than the internal window sill. In this case, systems of additional profiles are used and the windows are matched to the existing wide casing.

Use of low-quality or expired materials

For some citizens, this may be a revelation, but building materials also have their own expiration date, after which it is not recommended to use them. This is especially true for those used in the installation:

• sealants;
• plaster mixtures;
• liquid finishing putty;
• polyurethane foam.

The use of low-quality consumables during the installation process can result in serious troubles during the further operation of the window.

Lack of window sill

It will interfere with the sealing of the joint between the external window sill and the window frame and can lead to water penetrating under the window frame and wetting the wall, and subsequently even to corrosion of the dowels. The sill strip should be slightly narrower than the frame, which will allow the external window sill to be installed under the window frame.

Payment of state duty

Tax Code, namely Art. 333.36 determines the following when calculating the state duty: if the amount of the claim is up to 1 million rubles. no duty is charged. It is advisable to illustrate the calculation of the duty if the amount of the claim is more than a million rubles with a specific example.

So, the calculation is made as follows:

The cost of the claim is 2 million rubles. At the same time, the law establishes a fixed amount of 13,200 rubles; accordingly, 2 million rubles are added to it, and 1 million rubles are subtracted. (since a different calculation procedure is provided for this amount) and is multiplied by 0.5%. As a result, we get the amount of state duty of 17,200 rubles.

Let us give an example of a calculation for a claim amount of 1 million rubles. To the fixed amount of 5200 we add (1 million – 2 million)*1%. =13200 rub. We calculate the amount of the duty: 17200-15200=5000 rubles.

Frame fastening

Noise-proof made of six-chamber plastic profiles. Photo: VEKA

The window frame is installed and leveled in the opening, resting it on adjustable plastic wedges, which are placed in increments of about 40 cm. These elements subsequently remain in place, preventing the lower profile of the frame from sagging (the foam should not take force loads, as it easily wrinkles and over time is partially destroyed under the influence of temperature changes).

In houses with single-layer walls, window frames are fastened using frame dowels or mounting plates, and in modern buildings made of three-layer panels - only with the help of mounting plates, which allow moving the fastening points from the insulation layer inward, to the concrete part of the wall. The spacing of fastening units is standardized by GOST 30971-2002. According to the same document, the minimum insertion depth of dowels in concrete and brick is 40 mm, and the distance from the edge of the building envelope when installing dowels must be at least twice the anchoring depth (to avoid chipping the wall).

The service life of a window depends on the quality of components and the integrity of assemblers and installers. Therefore, when ordering, you should contact a company that provides a comprehensive guarantee on the design and work for a period of at least 2 years - during this time, the defect has time to reveal itself. Photo: Rehau

Types of defects

• Formation of condensation on double-glazed windows indoors, in the space between the glass, on the window sill, profile, sashes.
• The appearance of mold on slopes.
• Icing of windows in winter.
• Defects on slopes.
• Leaking from a window or blowing.
• Damage to the profile (cracks, chips, etc.)
• Inaccurate measurement of the window opening.
• Unsightly joint with window sill, slopes, ebbs.
• Untidy appearance from the outside.
• Leaking glass unit.
• Clogged drainage holes.
• Problems with the operation of the fittings.
• Sagging of the sashes.
• Cracks in the glass unit.