DIY maintenance and repair of plastic windows

In detail: do-it-yourself service and repair of plastic windows from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

Do-it-yourself careful care of plastic windows is the most affordable procedure that allows you to increase their operational period. With the right approach, it can be up to 50 years old.

There are many aspects of care, but one of the most important is the timely lubrication of moving elements. It depends on it how long the fittings will last.

During long-term operation, a lot of dirt and dust from the street gets into the internal mechanisms. This is especially true for apartments located near the road. Dirt gets inside, which makes it difficult for mechanisms and fittings during opening / closing.

Obsolete grease loses its quality and becomes abrasive, which contributes to accelerated wear of important parts. This can render them unusable. Repairing fittings will cost a significant amount, so prevention seems to be a more reasonable method.

The first sign of the need to change the lubricant is the appearance of a crackle, squeak or clicks during the opening of the doors.

Manufacturers give a guarantee for fittings from 2 to 5 years. For such a period, as a rule, there is enough factory lubricant (but it still depends on the operating conditions). After its expiration, it is necessary to update. Experts advise doing this at least once a year (the recommended season is mid-spring). Residents of large cities should do this more often. If the windows face the road, the fittings will get dirty several times faster due to the abundance of dust and smog.

It is easy to lubricate windows on your own - anyone can handle it. This procedure is performed as follows:

Video (click to play).

We purchase a lubricant. You can use the universal WD-40 or some special tool.
We open the doors and remove all the dirt with a rag. We remove difficult dirt with a hard sponge or a special brush (not too rough, as it can damage the surface).
We grease the brackets, bolts and all metal fittings abundantly.
For hard-to-reach places, we use the tubular spout supplied with the WD 40.
If we use a lubricant in a bottle, then apply 2-3 drops of the substance to each element.

This is how do-it-yourself lubrication of plastic windows is carried out. Experimenting with the tools is strongly discouraged. Sunflower oil, petroleum jelly and other household substances are not suitable for this task.

Maintenance of plastic windows includes cleaning. For best results, remember these rules:

When cleaning the profile, do not use abrasive or powder substances. Such products will roughen the surface and allow dirt to penetrate into the frame structure.
Do not use acid, solvent or acetone based cleaners. These substances will dissolve the stabilizing layer, and this will lead to discoloration and further damage. It is better to use household substances available in the kitchen (for example, dishwashing detergent).
To clean the glass, use only products specified for this purpose. A simple sponge can leave scratches.
Clean the rubber seals at least 2 times a year with an aqueous solution of household products (soap, powder, Comet, etc.).

Correct prevention of plastic windows will prolong their life. To achieve the maximum operational period, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

Ventilate rooms regularly.The PVC profile is highly airtight, so it practically does not let air from the street into the room. Therefore, moisture is systematically accumulated in it. It appears in cold areas as condensation and fogging. In case of severe frost, ice may appear. To prevent this from happening, you need to lower the humidity in the room through systematic ventilation.

Important! If the glass unit fogs up inside (between the glass panes), it is defective. In this case, ask the seller for a free replacement.

Clean drain holes. They can be found by opening the sash or going out onto the balcony. They prevent condensation from accumulating. Often they are covered with visors so that excess moisture does not get into them. Inhabitants of the first three or four floors should monitor these holes at least 3 times a year and, if necessary, remove dirt from them.
Check the condition of movable structures. Ease of movement is an indicator of the normal state of the valves. The flaps must open and close freely.
Change rubber seals. The warranty period for these items is 1 to 5 years. After this period, it is better to make a replacement. The cost of this part is low - from 25 to 75 rubles per meter. It is recommended to lubricate it with silicone or glycerin several times a year - this will prolong the operating period.
Check the condition of the handle, regularly tighten the fixing bolts. To access them, you need to remove the plastic cover. If children live in the house, it is better to install a removable handle.

This is necessary for the profile to function normally and to maintain a comfortable temperature in the room. Budget models rarely support this function, it is typical for the middle and high price segment.

To change the mode, do the following:

We find pressure rollers (their diameter is within 5-8 mm). They are located at the end of the sash at the point of abutment to the frame. There may be several such videos, but you need to find everything.
We are looking for them at risk. If winter mode is set, it will be directed inside the room. If he is looking at the street, it means that there is a summer regime.
Further, in order to change the mode, we pull the roller towards ourselves, after which we change the position of the risks.
We set it to its original position.

This procedure must be done with all the rollers. Some models may require a "hex" to rotate.

Window repairs may suddenly become necessary, no matter what type of construction you have installed. Many problems can be corrected without the help of a wizard, by doing it yourself. It is enough to know how to eliminate the most common problems with plastic windows.

Even if you have supplied high-quality products and made them correctly, over time, the handle may fail or it will be necessary to replace the insulation. It is possible that the glass breaks or the mechanism requires adjustment. This repair of plastic windows is within the power of the owners.

This problem is common and easy to fix. First you need to buy a new window handle. You can do this at a home improvement store. To replace it, you will need to find the decorative plate, which is located directly under the handle, then turn it so that you can see the screws that will need to be removed.

After that, the old handle can be removed without any problems, and a new one can be put in its place. Re-tighten the screws; at the same time, you can install a limiter for opening. To do this, it is necessary to mount a regulator plate for ventilation into the base of the element, after which the handle can be screwed on.

Repair of window fittings is not so difficult even if it has jammed. To do this, you need to find and disable the blocker. The scheme of actions depends on which fittings you have installed.If it is AUBI brand, you will need to find a metal plate with a spring: usually it is near the handle. Press it against the seal and try to smoothly turn the handle. Other brands of hardware, such as Maco, GU, Winkhaus or Roto, have a metal tongue on the bottom. It needs to be pressed, forcing it to stand parallel to the sash.

Sometimes this method does not help, and then it is worth checking if the blocker is hooked. To fix the problem, you need to open the window and find the place where this element touches. After that, you must remove the bollard mounts, install a plastic gasket between it and the clinging structural element, and put the part back.

Do not be afraid to repair plastic windows with your own hands. The window does not close – It's not a problem. This usually happens for the reason that the handle does not turn due to the lack of lubricant in the fittings or the sagging of the sash itself. The latter can be determined visually by carefully examining the window. The product can be adjusted by tightening the bolts that hold it. If everything is in order, it is worth checking the lubrication. You will need to purchase a special tool, and it is desirable to lubricate all parts of the mechanism that are set in motion.

Timely maintenance of plastic windows will help to avoid many problems. However, if the product does not sag and lubrication does not work, you will most likely need professional help.

If the sash gives in to force when opening, but hangs on one corner without fully switching to ventilation mode, try to press the upper hinge by moving the sash to the pivot position. If you can achieve this, place the handle horizontally. Sometimes the blocker interferes with this, and it will have to be removed as described above. After that, the sash must be closed. Try pushing the handle down without using force. If it gives in, try to smoothly change its position several times.Repair of PVC windows may be necessary if it starts to blow from under the window. It is not necessary to invite a master for this: it will be faster and cheaper to solve the problem yourself. Most often, the air flows pass through the seal. To get rid of this, press the sash against the frame and check if the position of the trunnions and strips of the reciprocal type matches. If they do not correspond to each other and the pins do not go beyond the strips, you need to rearrange the last elements. This is very simple to do: you need to unscrew the screws for the fasteners and move the bar to the desired location. The windows will then begin to close tightly.If the reason is in the loops, repairing plastic windows with your own hands at home will be easy. Press the sash against the frame exactly in their area. Find a special hole on the lower hinge into which you will need to insert the turning attachment. The top hinge is also adjustable, but has a scissor-type mechanism that can be adjusted with a screwdriver.Another difficulty is often encountered: straightening plates that are between the glass unit and the window profile fall or stretch. This is usually the center of the structure. They should be changed under warranty, but if it came out, then you will have to repair the plastic windows with your own hands. To do this, you need a small piece of plastic; you need to select the width based on the thickness of the glass unit. Take a metal spatula and insert it end-to-end, which is between the glazing bead and the glass unit. Hit the putty knife and thus detach the glazing bead. You will be able to see the straightening plates that are located between the frame and the sash. Move the glass unit 3 mm back, put the plates; by pulling out the spatula, you will return it to its place, after which you will need to close the structure with glazing beads.Pay attention that the plates do not rest against the glazed part of the structure. This could damage the glass unit.

If we notice that the window sash is uneven or that it subsides, we are in no hurry to call the masters. We take a 4-key hex wrench and adjust the structure ourselves. The vertical position of the sash is adjusted using the lower hinge. If we need to slightly lower the sash (or raise it), we do the following:

1. Open the window.
2. From the bottom hinge, dismantle the cover that serves as a decorative function.
3. Insert the hexagon into the upper slot that opens.
4. Slowly turn the key. If you need to raise the sash, rotate the hexagon clockwise, lower it - counterclockwise.

There is also a lower groove under the decorative strip. With its help, the position of the structure is adjusted left-right. The procedure is similar. We insert the key, rotate it, adjust the sash. It will move to the right when turning the hexagon in the direction of the arrow and to the left when turning against it. Note that the described operation allows you to adjust the lower part of the sash. The adjustment of its upper half is carried out by another element. It is located directly on the sash (in the upper part) in a special socket. We insert a hexagon into it and, according to the principle already known to us, adjust the structure.

In cases where air blowing from under the seal is observed (the window begins to see through), adjust the sash pressure level. The procedure is carried out by adjusting the locking system. It consists of striking plates and trunnions. The system is located on the sash, with its help we close and open the PVC window. The pins are oval or rounded parts. Their adjustment is carried out with a hexagon (if a socket for it is provided in the locking mechanism) or with ordinary pliers. We just need to scroll the pins, thereby moving them closer to the seal.

The most common breakdown of plastic window products is the failure of the handle, which is used to close and open the window. This element is constantly under physical stress. In case of careless handling of it, as well as in the case of a sagging window leading to jamming of the handle, the latter may break due to strong pressure on it. Don't panic. Replacing the handle requires a minimum of time and labor. We buy a new part at the nearest building store. We turn the decorative plate on the old handle to get to the two mounting screws. Unscrew and remove them with an ordinary screwdriver. We mount a new element. We fix it with the same screws. We install the decorative plate in place.

Sometimes the handle gets stuck in one position (usually open). This suggests that the mechanism was blocked by a special device. It is installed on most modern PVC window fittings.A similar device is called a blocker. In the situation described, there is no need to replace the handle. We just need to turn off the blocker. On different brands of fittings, this operation is performed in its own way:

Winkhaus, Roto, Maco. Fittings under such brands are equipped with a metal tongue. In relation to the frame, it is located at a certain angle. We find the tongue near the locking mechanism. We do not press very hard on it. The element must stand strictly parallel to the frame. After that, just turn the handle. The blocker is disabled!

AUBI. Such systems are equipped with a blocking device in the form of a metal plate with a small spring. It is also located in the area of the handle. To unblock it, we need to press the spring harder against the seal. You do not need to use any special tools. Press down with your fingers.

If it is not possible to remove the lock according to the described methods, we proceed as follows:

1. Open the window.
2. Find the striker on the frame.
3. Unscrew the fasteners securing the bar.
4. We put a thin lining (preferably plastic) between the counter piece and the frame.

The described actions will ensure a tight adhesion of the bar to the blocker. When using the window, it will no longer jam the locking system.

Handle problems can also be caused by other causes. Quite often, it is impossible to turn it to the end, or the turning process itself requires the application of serious efforts. Such problems are caused by the drying of the lubricant or the sagging of the sash. They are easy to solve. We adjust the sagging sash according to the previously described algorithm or process all the moving parts of the locking device. The second of these operations is carried out with a special (for window fittings) or penetrating universal (for example, WD-40) grease.Old window structures that have been in use for a long time inevitably lose their functionality. In some cases, only a specialist can restore their performance. But there are types of work that we can do with our own hands. Self-repair of old plastic windows allows you to replace a seal or a broken (cracked) glass unit in them. Both procedures are fairly simple to implement.Seals on PVC structures serve no more than 10 years on average. After that, they need to be changed. We acquire a new sealing cord. We carefully examine it along its entire length. You cannot buy defective products (with cracks, bends and other defects).Turkish-made seals last about 5-6 years, German ones - up to 15.Let's get to work. We take out the old cord from the groove of the window. We use a screwdriver or other suitable tool. We clean it thoroughly and then rinse the groove well. We process it around the entire perimeter with glue. Now we very carefully put the new seal into the groove, avoiding squeezing or stretching the cord. We press lightly on the installed product so that it sits firmly on the adhesive. The restoration of the window has been completed. It again pleases us with its tightness.With the replacement of a double-glazed window, everything is not so simple. This type of restoration of a window structure is available only to more or less experienced home craftsmen. We need to dismantle the old package as follows. We remove, using a rubber mallet and a metal spatula, all available glazing beads. We act very carefully. Insert a spatula into the joint between the package and the window frame, hit it with a mallet without excessive force, carefully dismantle the glazing beads.We invite a partner and together we take out the double-glazed window. One should not do such an operation. The dismountable structure is heavy. We measure the width, height and thickness of the glass unit. We order a new product according to these parameters. When it is delivered, we proceed to the installation of the straightening plates.In the case of an opening sash, they are placed in the corners of the structure with a mandatory offset from the edges by 10 cm. If we are talking about a blind sash, we install the plates at the bottom. We put a new package. We immediately check the correctness of installation - the geometry of the product should not be disturbed. If necessary, add straightening plates. Then we put all the glazing beads in place. We use the window!