Water accumulates in plastic windows due to the regular formation of condensation on various structural elements. Also, some of the moisture gets inside in the form of precipitation when the sash is open or not tightly closed. If you do not drain the water, it stagnates, and microorganisms begin to rapidly develop inside the structure, and this process may be accompanied by the appearance of unpleasant odors. To avoid such situations, the developers of plastic windows have created a special drainage system that removes all the moisture accumulated inside the structure to the street. Thanks to this, owners do not need to regularly wipe the windows from the inside, since they independently get rid of the emerging water.
General information
When arranging openings intended for the installation of translucent structures, external window sills are important elements. These are inexpensive parts, but their presence prevents the penetration of water as a result of melting snow or rain under the windows and inside the walls. Therefore, the destruction of structures due to the negative effects of moisture is prevented, and houses will not require repairs longer. In other words, their service life increases.
The drainage system is also called an external window sill. However, this is an incorrect name. After all, the installation of such a part is carried out at a calculated angle or it has an inclined upper surface so that water can drain outside the building structures of the house. Drainage also prevents snow accumulation in some cases. When installed correctly, the sound and thermal insulation of the window opening is further increased.
Thanks to the presence of ebb at the bottom of the window, the façade plaster under the opening does not begin to fall off longer, or this possibility is eliminated altogether. This element also prevents water from getting behind the siding, which can prevent major problems. In addition, low tide is also a decorative element. This detail gives the window a finished look. Therefore, the translucent design looks organic.
In the case of installing a modern plastic window, a gap remains between the translucent structure and the opening below, which is filled with foam. It appears to be a good heat insulator. However, this material breaks down when it is exposed to moisture and low temperatures at the same time. After all, water tends to freeze and expand. It is this process that leads to the destruction of the foam layer. Therefore, it is usually closed from the street side with drainage.
Installation of ebb tides is carried out not only when installing windows. They are often secured during the construction of a house. In this case, the installation is carried out before the façade finishing is completed. In addition, some homeowners decide to install drainage systems after putting the house into operation, when furniture has already been placed in it and people are fully using all the benefits of a residential building on their land.
Regardless of the time when it is decided to install window sills, it is better to entrust the work to highly specialized professionals from companies with a good reputation. After all, they know all the intricacies of both the manufacture and installation of drainage systems.
If the ebb is fixed during the construction of the house, then a full range of installation work is carried out.
During their implementation, the joints and seams are properly sealed. This process requires less money and time. When fixing the ebb, when the house has already been put into operation, installation becomes more complicated. However, it is still performed efficiently if it is carried out by professionals. Important!
Why switch windows to summer or winter mode?
Initially, while the plastic window is still new, manufacturers do not recommend switching the window from universal to winter mode. Later, as the seal wears out, it may no longer cope with its main task and, with the onset of cold weather, cold air will begin to blow in from the window. In this case, it is recommended to switch the window fittings to winter mode and ensure that the sash is pressed more tightly to the frame. After the end of the cold weather, it is necessary to switch the fittings back to universal or summer mode, thereby increasing the service life of the seal.
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Types of window drains
Low tides must be installed on all windows. They are basically a special board. The most common are metal and plastic drainage systems. However, they are also made from other materials. All types of drainage systems have certain advantages and disadvantages.
Plastic casts
If you install such drainage systems, then you don’t have to worry about noise when raindrops fall on them. In addition, such products are inexpensive. When arranging window openings, less money is required. Only galvanized flashings that are not coated with paint will cost less. However, they are not very attractive and are practically not used in private homes. Unpainted drainage systems are more suitable for industrial facilities.
Plastic castings are modern products. They are used when installing PVC windows. To produce such drainage systems, modified plastic is used. It is resistant to sunlight. At the same time, its modern brands are increasingly used. They increase the resistance of products to ultraviolet radiation. However, despite the modified structure, slow destruction still occurs in the material.
In plastic, the connection between molecules is broken over time.
Therefore, his fragility increases. In addition, plastic can crack under dynamic loads. Microcracks also form in the material. Dust accumulates in them and moss appears. Even if the manufacturer guarantees many years of operation of plastic ebbs, the actual durability is a maximum of 30 years. Important!
The disadvantages of plastic also include high flammability. In addition, the material has significant thermal expansion. After all, any plastic begins to melt when exposed to high temperatures. Therefore, if a cigarette butt, for example, hits a plastic surface, at least a yellow spot will appear on it, and at most a hole will appear.
If such window drains are installed rigidly, then a disadvantage may appear due to thermal expansion, which will certainly occur in hot weather.
In such a situation, there is a high probability that the plastic surface will become wavy. However, as the temperature decreases, it usually returns to its original state. On a note!
Specialists also leave thermal gaps on the sides of the products. The empty space is filled with sealant. However, only waterproof material is used. This will also prevent the formation of a wavy surface in hot weather. With this installation, plastic products simply expand slightly without negative consequences. As the flashings increase in size, the plastic sealant contracts.
Metal casts
Before correctly installing ebb tides on plastic windows, you need to become familiar with the features of such metal products. First of all, they are durable. Therefore, they are often installed by homeowners. However, they choose coated galvanized products.
To protect and decorate such drainage systems, manufacturers use polyester and plastisol. The first coating option is quite popular because it is used during the production of metal tiles using well-established technology.
Polyester coated flashings are available at low cost. Their production is mainly carried out by companies that manufacture metal tiles and other roofing products.
Drains coated with plastisol are more expensive than products with polyester. However, this protective and decorative layer is thicker. Therefore, products with it are not so noisy when raindrops fall on them. In addition, plastisol allows you to create a coating on the metal that is smooth, leather-like or embossed.
The problem of noise, which is the main disadvantage of metal drainage systems, is partially solved with the help of polyurethane foam. It fills all the empty space when installing tides on the windows. This allows you to reduce the “drum” effect when water drops fall on the metal.
During installation work, foamed rubber material or other similar sheet sound insulator is also used, which is able to withstand significant temperature changes. After all, it is secured on the street. Sound-absorbing rubber or other material is placed at the bottom of the metal product. It is usually used together with polyurethane foam. This combination can significantly reduce the noise of metal drainage systems.
One of the types of metal drainage is an aluminum product. It is usually powder coated. Aluminum has less ringing than galvanized steel. However, products made from it are more expensive. In addition, they are quite difficult to find. In most cases, they are made to order only by certain companies as they are not produced in mass quantities.
If you choose a metal cast, it is recommended to give preference to a product with a zinc coating. Although it will cost more than products without it. Any of the options can be painted in the desired color. Therefore, it is always possible to solve design ideas.
The metal product has no installation restrictions.
Thanks to this, it can be installed on a plastic window in a wooden house or building made of bricks. In any case, a high-quality drainage system will last at least 50 years. Important!
Other tide options
Drainage drains made of concrete alone are rarely found in private residential buildings. They are created, but a plastic or concrete product is additionally mounted on top.
An exotic option is a stone drainage system. In its manufacture, polished marble or granite is used. Such products have an attractive appearance and high strength. They can only be broken with a sledgehammer. In addition, they do not make noise when water drops fall on them. However, the cost of these products is very high.
Some homeowners order the production of drainage systems from facade tiles. This option is used when finishing wooden or plastic windows. It is often chosen when the base of the house is lined with facade tiles.
When making tile flashing, the material is placed so that it protrudes beyond the facade by 10 mm. Lay the tiles on a slope. To install it and create a slope, a cement-sand mortar is used. Typically, all work on the manufacture of such drainage systems is carried out before finishing the facade.
Features of sizing
Some manufacturers produce metal window drainage in the form of a strip. Its length can be up to 6 m. In most cases, the manufacturer cuts a long casting into several parts in accordance with the required dimensions. Usually the order is fulfilled in such organizations. After all, turning to them allows you to purchase window sills, the dimensions of which will exactly correspond to the installation location.
Experts determine the length of the product by the width of the window opening. The calculated size is increased in most cases. In this case, the main dimension by which the ebb is selected is its depth. This size for a metal product is usually at least 90 mm. It increases in increments of 20 mm.
The total width of the metal product is made 40-80 mm larger than the originally measured value.
In other words, a window molding is made, the dimensions of which on each side are increased by 20-40 mm. This allows the edges to be folded. Moreover, its width in most cases should be greater than the depth of the street part of the window opening. Although in some cases the drainage is made flush with the outer surface of the wall. It all depends on the façade finishing. On a note!
Usually, moldings are made for windows whose dimensions are approximately 40 mm larger than the street part of the opening. In other words, each of the manufactured products, after installation, will protrude 4 cm beyond the facade. A protrusion of this size is quite enough to prevent water from entering the wall, which will begin to flow from the window during rain. With this design it will flow onto the blind area.
If you decide to install a plastic drainage system, then difficulties often arise when choosing a product.
After all, its smallest width is 140 mm. In addition, this size increases in specific increments. For most manufacturers it is 40 mm. Because of this, it is difficult to choose a flashing whose dimensions will exactly fit a specific opening. Important!
Caring for fittings
The fittings located in the inner groove of the sash are the main mechanism of the window. It is responsible for functionality, tight fit and smooth operation of the sash. If the fittings are not cleaned and lubricated for a long time, it may become difficult to control the sash, and the mechanisms will wear out quickly due to strong friction.
In spring and autumn, the metal parts of the window structure should be wiped with a dry cloth to remove dust and old grease and apply new grease. The composition drips only onto the moving parts of the mechanism: pins, latches, hinges. The fittings have special slots for this purpose. To ensure that the lubricant is well distributed, the sash must be opened and closed several times, then the excess compound must be removed with a cloth.
Areas of the mechanism that need to be lubricated.
Adjustment of the sashes is necessary in case of sagging and for preventive purposes: before the start of the summer and winter seasons. If the sash touches the frame, a window hexagon will be required. The fittings adjust the position of the sash in several planes: from above and below, vertically and horizontally, to the clamp. To determine exactly where the sash does not fit well, you will need a piece of paper; it is placed between the sash and the frame and the sash is closed. With good pressure, the sheet will not move when you try to pull it out. In the place where the paper came free easily, the seal is insufficient.
Adjusting the position of the sash relative to the frame.
Switching to winter (October-November) and summer (March-April) mode is necessary to compensate for temperature expansion. In summer, the plastic heats up and expands, so the pressure should be less tight than in winter. Switching the mode extends the life of the fittings and sealing rubber, and prevents profile deformation.
Pressure adjustment for winter and summer mode.
If the fastenings on the handle are loose, you need to pry up and turn 90° the decorative trim on the socket; usually, it has a special recess. Then tighten the fasteners. Do not over-tighten, as the base of the handle may burst. In the same way, you can replace a damaged window handle.
Repair and replacement of handles on PVC windows.
Basic requirements for the installation of window drainage systems
The specialist knows perfectly well how to install a sill on a plastic window. However, if any mistake is made, it can only be detected after the consequences of improper installation have become apparent. It could even be the destruction of a wall due to exposure to water. Therefore, you need to trust the installation to professionals. Then you won’t have to spend a lot of time and money correcting errors.
During installation, specialists always follow specific rules.
They are simple, but allow you to provide a guarantee for the work performed. First of all, all connections are properly sealed. Particular attention is paid to places where the drainage area is adjacent to the slopes. On a note!
Another rule is that slopes and ebbs for plastic windows are mounted only level. In this case, the lower shelf is installed exclusively along the horizon in the same way as the window, but only with a forward slope. Otherwise, water will drain from it in one place. It can even accumulate. If the slope is installed strictly horizontally, then drops will drip from its entire outer edge. Therefore, the area under the drain will become evenly wet. This will allow it to dry faster.
Another rule is to build a solid and level base. Typically, a solution of cement and sand is used to create it. However, fastening the ebb to a PVC window is done using self-tapping screws, and to a concrete base using polyurethane foam.
During installation, the drainage system is aligned horizontally.
Adjust its position using wedges. The resulting free space is filled with polyurethane foam. This installation option allows you to do the job inexpensively, but efficiently and quickly. Important!
When installing sills on plastic windows, their usually curved side edges are placed under the slopes.
This will prevent water from flowing under the finishing elements. If the slopes are planned to be made from plaster mixtures, then the edges of the drains should cut into the finish by about 10 mm on each side. Important!
Every professional knows how to properly attach sills to plastic windows on the first, second or even third floor. Often, for ease of work, the master removes the double-glazed windows from the frame and removes the sashes. Less often, he collects scaffolding from outside the building.
What are the dangers of poorly functioning drainage?
Drainage holes in windows may not work well for two reasons. First of all, it’s trivial to get stuck. The question immediately arises as to what. After all, dirt and dust cannot get inside the camera. The answer is in the water. Microorganisms live in it. As they multiply, they form mucus, which clogs small holes. By the way, it can also be found in the form of dried thin plates. This happens after heavy rains, when a large amount of water accumulates inside the chamber, and the drainage does not have time to remove the moisture. Secondly, the workers simply forgot to remove the internal caps that cover the openings during storage and transportation of the windows.
The consequences of poor drainage system performance can be different. The remaining water in the chamber may:
- when freezing, at best, deform the profile, at worst, tear the frame;
- rot and stink;
- if metal fittings are exposed to metal for a long time, it can cause rust;
- become a breeding ground for mold. And this is such a “thing” that it will not be satisfied with the internal cavity, but will certainly crawl onto the slopes and the bottom of the frame.
Please note that we are talking only about water. Air, with increasing pressure, will squeeze out any plug, unless it is a plug inserted with force.
The process of professional installation of metal drainage in a stone house
Metal flashings are installed in 95% of cases. Typically, these parts are made in the workshop of the company that manufactures and installs the ordered windows. Drains made of metal and plastic are installed according to the same scheme. Additionally, gaskets are used with steel products to reduce the drumming effect during rain.
Installation of ebb sills on plastic windows by professionals is quick, as the craftsmen have all the necessary tools and consumables. The process itself is carried out sequentially by specialists.
Step 1
Before installing sills on plastic windows, always check the condition of the lower slopes on the street side.
If they have defects, including large cracks, depressions and elevations, then they are plastered using a mortar of cement and sand. Tile adhesive is also used when surfaces have small irregularities. On a note!
When leveling the lower slope, create a slope of approximately 10°. This work is done as follows:
- Place a layer of the prepared mixture on the wetted surface with a thickness that exceeds the required value by approximately 10 mm.
- Make the recess in fresh solution at the required slope using a level. To do this, the tool is pressed into the mixture in the middle and edges of the base.
- Remove excess solution. The result is a surface whose slope matches the slope of the created grooves.
After this, the surface is finally leveled. Then wait for the cement-sand mass to harden.
Step 2
Take the drainage dimensions taking into account the bends on all sides. Then a product of the required dimensions is made from the blank at the installation site or in the workshop.
There are two possible options for further action depending on the type of slopes. If they are panels made of metal or plastic, then the installation of the ebb on the plastic window is carried out with the installation of its side edges behind them. To do this, first the workpiece is bent according to the previously taken dimensions. During this process, the master trims the kinks a little.
He makes the side bends 10 mm high. They are located under vertical slopes. Otherwise, you will end up with a gap through which water will easily seep into the building structures of the house.
If the slopes are plastered, then the master makes grooves in their lower part. The ebb is inserted into such slots. Therefore, it is made without side bends. However, its length should be greater than the similar size of the lower slope on the street side. Usually the drainage is made 20 mm longer. In other words, on each side the length of the product increases by 10 mm. At the same time, grooves are created in the plastered slopes of the same depth, using a grinder with a diamond blade and hand tools.
When the drainage is finally placed in its place, the master seals the grooves tightly with cement-sand mortar.
He always tries to make smooth transitions between the metal and the slope. On a note!
Step 3
The master directly attaches the ebb to the plastic window using self-tapping screws.
They are screwed into the long bend of the product and the stand profile. At the same time, the specialist ensures that the edges of the drainage do not extend beyond the special recesses on the window structure. Important!
When installing a flashing whose length exceeds 1.5 m, liquid nails are often used instead of foam. They are applied to the base. After this, the product is installed.
Care products
Products for cleaning and lubricating parts of the plastic window structure should not contain aggressive chemicals or abrasives. To ensure that PVC products are not damaged, you can purchase a special set of care products. They are sold by companies that install and manufacture windows, as well as in construction and hardware stores. The products from the kits are tested and created specifically for plastic windows. Standard kit includes:
- Composition for cleaning plastic surfaces from heavy dirt. It should not be used for routine cleaning, since many such compositions contain solvents and can somewhat compromise the integrity of the plastic, as a result it will become more contaminated. The product is applied topically to areas with stubborn dirt.
- Product for sealing rubber based on silicones. The lubricant creates a protective film on the surface and prevents the rubber from cracking over time.
- Lubricant for fittings. Facilitates the movement of the sash, prevents corrosion, protects from dust and debris.
You can assemble such a set yourself. For routine cleaning of glass, profiles, window sills, slopes, ordinary household cleaning products without abrasive substances (sprays, gels) are suitable. Heavy stains on plastic: traces of glue, dyes, polyurethane foam - can be removed with products from the COSMOFEN line. The lower the number next to the name, the stronger the solvent it is. For example, COSMOFEN 5 can eliminate even minor scratches and cracks, while COSMOFEN 20 can only remove dirt, glue and foam.
The sealant can be replaced with the universal compound WD-40 or silicone grease, which is sold in car dealerships. To lubricate the fittings, it is permissible to use lithium grease, industrial petroleum jelly, or WD-40.
Important! Vegetable oil, as well as technical oils containing acids and resins, are not suitable for servicing accessories.
Correct sizing for drainage
The quality of the final result depends on the accuracy of the original dimensions according to which the casting is made. If they are removed correctly, there is no need to redo the work. At the same time, it is performed as quickly as possible. However, an error of a few millimeters is allowed.
To make sills for windows, the dimensions of which will be as accurate as possible, the master performs the following steps:
- measures the length of the window frame together, where the drainage system will connect to it;
- first applies a construction square to one side and then to the other side of the window;
- measures in each case the small leg of an imaginary triangular figure that is formed between the applied tool and the slope;
- adds the sum of the small legs to the previously measured length of the window frame to obtain the final length of the drainage.
After this, you need to know how the ebb will be installed. If it is factory installed under vertical slopes or simply touches them, then the craftsman makes bends on its side edges. Therefore, it increases the overall length of the product by approximately 40 mm - 20 mm on each side. If the drainage bouquet crashes into plastered slopes, then this size increases by 10 mm on each side.
How can I clean it?
PVC window drainage needs to be cleaned occasionally (once a year is enough). It is best to combine this operation with washing the frame and glass unit. For this:
- open the sash;
- remove the plugs from the bottom of the window from the frame, sash and impost (if there is a hole);
- Use a household vacuum cleaner to remove all debris from the drain.
If you can’t clean it with a vacuum cleaner, and this is what happens when the drainage hole is round, dirt can be removed with a thin wire, a toothpick, a thin screwdriver or a hard-bristled brush.
Methods for bending drainage edges
Experts use different methods to bend the edges of metal window sills. All of them have been tested in practice and allow you to get high-quality results.
One option involves using a tinsmith’s tool – these are special pliers. This device is distinguished by the presence of wide jaws. Thanks to the increased size, metal can be captured over a larger area.
Another method involves the use of pincer clamps.
They clamp the metal along the bend line and bend it. In this case, wooden blocks are additionally used. The entire process is carried out on a flat surface. Important!
If the third method is used, then the workpiece is placed on a flat, stable surface. It could be an iron table. In this case, the fold line is placed on the edge of a stable surface. Then they take a mallet and bend the metal. This process begins at some end of the bend line. If necessary, pass over it with a mallet several times. They strive to achieve an even and precise bend.
If the drain is made of thin metal, it can be easily bent with just your fingers.
In this case, be sure to wear thick gloves or mittens on your hands. They will protect your fingers from cuts. If they appear, then it will take a lot of time for them to heal. On a note!
Features of installing metal ebb and flow in a wooden opening
The main fundamental difference between installing a metal drainage system in a stone house and installing it in a wooden opening is the creation of a base not from a cement-sand mixture, but from bars. The frame is made from them. It is on this that the ebb will rest.
Depending on the features of the building and the horizontal slope, only a few bars can be used. However, they will not always have the same thickness. The bars are attached to the building structures of the house using nails or self-tapping screws.
During installation, additional foam is used.
It allows you to strengthen the fixation and prevent snow from falling under the tide. On a note!
What happens if you don't clean the drainage hole in the refrigerator?
If you want to keep the refrigerator in perfect condition, it is recommended to clean the elements of the drainage system, namely rinsing and disinfection, every six months. Because it will not be possible to avoid its contamination even with completely correct placement of products and care.
The elements of the system are constantly in contact with water and bacteria and fungi multiply on their surface. Among them there are many potentially hazardous to health. If the drainage system is in poor condition, the following problems will occur in the refrigerator.
A bad smell appears. At the same time, it cannot be eliminated either by thorough cleaning of the cells, or with flavorings, or with disinfectants.
Products deteriorate, mold and sticky residue appear on them. The safe storage period becomes extremely short.
If the system is clogged, excess water can penetrate through the trim and insulation to the metal parts of the housing. This causes not only their corrosion, but also deformation with a variety of consequences.
Features of connecting two ebb tides
The need to connect two drainage systems arises when one of them is not enough to completely cover the lower slope of the window. Although this situation happens extremely rarely. After all, it has already been mentioned what low tide is in plastic windows, and what it may look like. Basically the product is a metal strip. Its length can reach 6 m if necessary.
If you still need to connect two metal products to reduce the final cost, then soldering is used. It is performed with a soldering iron with a power of at least 200 W. Hydrochloric acid is also used in this work. It will allow you to remove the zinc coating from the metal at the soldering site. After all, ordinary solder will not cope with such a task.
The master connects the two ebbs as follows:
- Places products with overlap.
- Eliminates large gaps by pressing one drainage pipe against another with some kind of weight.
- Pour a small amount of hydrochloric acid onto the joint or apply it with a brush. The solution is distributed throughout the joint. Otherwise, the metal will not connect in unlubricated areas.
- Heats up the soldering iron so that solder brand, for example, POS 60, melts on the tool.
- Applies the heated end of the soldering iron along with solder to the joint where hydrochloric acid is already present.
- Removes the load, but only after the solder has cured.
Usually the seam is made from the front side. If necessary, solder can be passed from below the joint to increase the strength of the connection. At the end of the process, the adhesion site is washed with a solution of water and baking soda. This allows the remaining hydrochloric acid to be neutralized.
The connection of two galvanized sheets is also done using a lock. It consists of two parts. They are created on the opposite edges of the connected drains. An experienced locksmith will always make a quality lock. After its creation, a folded seam is obtained.
The lock itself consists of two curved edges in opposite directions, which hook into one another. After this, the seam is compacted with a mallet. Strong blows are made on it with the instrument. They are performed first on one side and then on the other side of the seam.
Is it possible to make drainage with your own hands?
Drainage holes are drilled and milled when assembling the window unit. If the operation is not completed for any reason, there is no need to return the window for revision. You can do drainage in windows yourself. For this you will need:
- smartphone with Internet access;
- screwdriver;
- drill with a diameter of 8 mm (it is better to choose the diameter of the drill for the plugs, and not vice versa);
- special plugs for the size of the hole (usually included in the kit, but sometimes you have to buy separately);
- ruler or tape measure.
All operations are performed in the following sequence:
- on the Internet there is a profile of the brought window indicating the parameters;
- using a ruler, draw a horizontal line along which the external holes will be drilled;
- the total number of drainage discharges is calculated;
- drilling locations are marked;
- The outer holes are drilled first, and then the inner channel. You need to work carefully so that there are no burrs left inside the chamber (they will prevent the water from leaving). If there is any doubt about the edge, you can clean it with a drill with the reverse turned on;
- plugs are installed.
The only drawback of this solution is that the purchased plug for the drainage hole of a plastic window does not always match the color of the profile.
Briefly about the main thing
Shutters are installed to drain water from windows during rain and prevent it from getting under translucent structures and inside walls. They are mainly made of plastic and galvanized metal. However, they can also be created from facade tiles, aluminum, and stone.
Drainage drains made of plastic and metal are produced in mass quantities to standard sizes. It is easier to order steel products to order in the required dimensions. It is easy to cut them at the installation site to fit the size of the openings, leaving a metal reserve of 10-40 mm for bends.
Galvanized flashings can be connected by soldering or locking. They are installed on a prepared concrete or wooden base. During installation, foam and self-tapping screws are used. Their side edges are bent and brought under slopes or straight edges are deepened into them when they are plastered.
