Depressurization of a double-glazed window DIY repair

In detail: depressurization of a glass unit DIY repair from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

Plastic windows are an essential attribute of any modern apartment. During their operation, some problems periodically arise, which may be due to 2 factors:

Poor installation
Negligent exploitation

Before seeking help from a specialist, it makes sense to try to fix the problems yourself. It should be understood that in most cases it is possible to repair plastic windows with your own hands.

Major problems and malfunctions

Depressurization of windows, when the sashes are closed, air enters the apartment from the street
The sashes of the windows are in contact with the frame, the process of opening and closing the windows is difficult
Freezing and fogging of windows

There are not so many reasons for the appearance of such problems: errors in the installation of windows, manufacturing defects, low-quality accessories for window fittings, etc. finally, their misuse.

Let's look at ways to eliminate the above problems.

Depressurization of windows

Most often, depressurization occurs due to improper installation, when the assembly seam is made poorly. The only way to eliminate this malfunction is to replace the assembly seam. Technologically, this type of work is simple: the old polyurethane foam is removed and the gap between the jamb and the window block is re-foamed.

Another common cause of leakage is seal wear. Its average service life is 5-10 years. So, if after this period the window starts to blow out, you should not be surprised. When purchasing a new seal, pay attention to its integrity, otherwise the replacement will not fix the problem. Before installing a new seal, you should carefully remove the old one, wipe the seam and apply assembly glue to its walls. The seal should be laid evenly, without stretching or squeezing. Make the joint of the seal in the corner of the window frame. And, by the way, there is no need to save on the sealant. You can invest in an expensive design project of a studio apartment and save on "little things", but this saving will not bring joy in the future.

Less often, the cause of depressurization is an insufficient number of fastening points, as a result of which deformation (deflection) of the window frame occurs and gaps are formed between the frame and the sashes. In this situation, it will be necessary not only to replace the assembly seam, but also to produce additional fastening points.

Video (click to play).

A double-glazed window may also be broken, but this is just the case when it will not be possible to completely solve the problem on your own. Double-glazed windows are manufactured at the factory, you only need to provide the exact dimensions. But self-installation of a double-glazed window does not cause any particular difficulties.

The problem of opening / closing the leaves

If the windows sag, do not close well, then most likely you will need to adjust or replace the fittings.

It is better to entrust the replacement of fittings to a professional, and the adjustment can be done independently. You will need a 4mm hexagon, with which you need to adjust the eccentrics in the adjusting slots. These holes are found in hinges, locking systems and strips.

Also, the handle needs adjustment and maintenance. If it is loose or too tight, simply rotate the trim strip 90 degrees to open and adjust the mounting screws.

Freezing and fogging of windows

The reasons for this unpleasant phenomenon are the same as for the above problems.Most often this is a poor-quality assembly seam and depressurization of windows. Replacing the assembly seam or adjusting the window systems will eliminate this problem.

With the advent of plastic windows, people's lives have become a little easier. You do not have to constantly paint the frames, cover up the cracks, insulate for the winter. It is enough just to spend money on a good window once and that's it - life is wonderful. But not always everything goes rosy. It happens that the double-glazed windows, from which you expect faithful service, begin to fail. There are many problems: it is blowing from the window, it does not open well, it is not regulated. But most often people have to deal with the problem of fogging windows. In most cases, this happens due to humidity in the room, poor ventilation. But what to do when the plastic window is sweating inside the glass unit? What are the reasons for this situation? And how to deal with it?

There are situations when a double-glazed window sweats between the glass, and not from inside the room (as usually happens). In this case, the condensate cannot be wiped off, because the design does not allow it.

There are not so many reasons why a plastic window sweats inside a glass unit:

Depressurization.
Plastic window assembled and installed incorrectly.

Let's consider each problem separately, in order not only to find out why the glass unit is sweating, but also to find a solution to the problem.

The most common reason for condensation between glasses is depressurization... After all, if moisture appeared on the windows, it means that it came from somewhere, right? Consequently, the glasses are not hermetically sealed. First of all, this happens with defective double-glazed windows. In this case, you should contact the company that manufactured and installed your plastic window. According to the contract, she must replace the defective product with a new one. It is not difficult, not the whole structure changes, but only the glass unit itself. The glazing beads should be pulled out, the structure replaced, and the glazing beads should be put in place. You can read more about this in the article - "Replacing the double-glazed windows on the windows". That's it, your window shouldn't sweat. You should not do this work yourself, because the manufacturer and installer are responsible for the window. They must replace them under warranty.

Depressurization can also occur for another reason. For example, if something hits the glass. Perhaps there will be no large cracks, chips, but this does not mean that the tightness is at the level. In this case, the window sweats between the panes; in winter, condensation can freeze, thereby causing even greater damage.

Installing additional accessories on plastic windows can also cause fogging. For example, some types of blinds are attached directly to the frame. This is where depressurization occurs. It is almost impossible to cope with this after drilling, because the structure is already damaged. But if you think in advance and buy a suitable sealant, then you may not harm the plastic window.

The second reason that the insulating glass unit sweats inside can be improper assembly or installation of the window... For example, some manufacturers are saving on silica gel, which is placed between two glass panes. This very silica gel absorbs excess moisture that is in the air between the glasses (if, of course, according to the technology, there must be air between them). If it is not there (silica gel), or it is not enough, or it is of poor quality, then soon after installation the window will begin to fog up from the inside.

The plastic window sweats inside the glass unit and when improper installation... Indeed, in this case, displacement of the entire structure is possible, and, as a result, depressurization. In both cases, the solution to the problem is one - complete replacement of the plastic window... The manufacturer and the installer under the contract are responsible for the quality of the product and the work performed. It is for this reason that you should not do the installation yourself. It is better to entrust the matter to professionals who will do the job in compliance with all the necessary standards.

As mentioned above, if the glass inside the glass unit sweats, there is only one solution - replacement... If the matter is in depressurization, then the replacement of the glass unit itself is suitable. And if this is a marriage in the entire structure or a consequence of an incorrect installation, then you will have to change the whole window.

If for some reason you cannot contact the manufacturer or installer (for example, there is no contract, or the warranty has ended, and there is no money for repairs), then you can try to repair and replace the glass unit yourself.

To do this, you need to remove the glazing bead. Then you should carefully remove the glass unit from the window profile, find the place of depressurization and clean it.

Next, you need to dry the glass unit so that the excess moisture is gone. A hairdryer is perfect for this, and not necessarily a construction one.

Now it is necessary to make the glass unit airtight. You will need a good sealant here. If you are the owner of a car, then you probably have one. If not, then you have to buy. Still, it is cheaper than buying a ready-made glass unit.

That's all. If you wish, you can also replace the silica gel so that the moisture that could remain after drying is absorbed into it and does not bother you anymore. To do this, we drill a hole in the aluminum frame (in a single-chamber glass unit - one, in a two-chamber glass unit - two). You need to act as carefully as possible so as not to drill through the frame. Use the limiter if you want.

We pour out the old silica gel and fill in the new one. To make it more convenient, you can make a funnel from a small sheet of paper. Try to fill the frame completely.

Well, don't forget to seal all the holes.

The last step is to insert the glass unit into place and fix the glazing beads. Now you will not be bothered by the fact that the insulating glass unit is sweating from the inside. You will not be afraid of any cold and noise with high-quality windows.

If you are faced with the problem of fogging a double-glazed window, then most likely you will have to seek help from qualified specialists. The Teplo Dom company will gladly offer you its services. We will replace the broken glass unit, and your windows will look like new.

Most modern windows have double-glazed windows with 2 or 3 sheets of glass: they are fixed with an aluminum strip and special mastic. Sometimes glass, especially on the street side, can get damaged. In this case, you will need to repair the double-glazed windows with your own hands or contact a qualified master.

Most insulating glass units, regardless of their thickness, have the same design. Between the glasses there is a layer of air or gas, and the glass sheets themselves are attached to a special holder, which consists of aluminum. The frame and the glass itself are connected with mastic and butyl tape, which ensures a strong and airtight fastening.

Read also How to remove a plastic window in the easiest way? Sometimes this has to be done, for example, for repairs.

In order to find out how to repair a double-glazed window, you must first study its design, otherwise you can damage it. The empty space between the panes is usually hermetically sealed and filled with dry air or nitrogen. To prevent moisture from forming inside the structure, the spacer is filled with a special moisture absorber. The most commonly used molecular sieve or silicone gel.

If a crack appears on the glass, the glass unit ceases to retain warm air and turns into ordinary leaky glass, which the builders have long refused to use.

Repair of double-glazed windows – not the most difficult work, so it can often be done on your own without involving expensive craftsmen.

Knowing how to repair a glass unit with your own hands, you can restore its functions at no extra cost and save on window replacement. The problem may appear for the following reasons:

Any mechanical impact, for example, hitting a stone.
Low-quality materials were used to create the window.
The window was installed skewed.
The structure was used incorrectly.

If cracks form, the entire glass unit will have to be replaced.

If the problem is caused by improper installation, the crack will appear quickly enough. In this case, you can often take advantage of the guarantee that the installer gives. First you need to remove the damaged glass. It is not necessary to break it at all. You need to acquire the following tools:

Rigid spatula.
Hammer.
Gloves.

First you need to pull out the glazing beads: you can do this with a thin knife or a metal spatula. The blade must be inserted end-to-end between the frame and the glazing bead, then knock out the element using a hammer. It is most convenient to start from the middle.

Repair of windows and double-glazed windows requires an integrated and competent approach. Important small details should not be overlooked. If you have already removed the glass unit and are going to install a new element, you will need to place straightening plates in the window opening, you will need to put them in the sash, backing about 10 cm from each corner.Check whether the position of the new glass unit is correct, if not, align it. Using additional seam bridges. If the frame is deaf, straightening plates are placed in the lower part of it.

Adjust the glass unit carefully

Repair, replacement of double-glazed windows can be made for thicker ones. For example, if you had a single chamber, you can technically install a two-chamber design. Old glazing beads will also come in handy for installation, so you do not need to throw them away. Replacing with a thicker glass unit complicates the work, since you have to select the elements according to the width of the frame.

It is worth doing the repair of double-glazed windows on your own only if the frames are plastic. Such a procedure will not be crowned with success with a euro window made of wood. The fact is that working with a wooden frame requires a special tool, which is unprofitable to buy for a one-time repair, and without it you cannot make the structure airtight and turn the euro window into an ordinary wooden one.

Dismantling a double-glazed window using a suction cup

Do-it-yourself repair of double-glazed windows can be carried out not only to save money, but also when there is no time to wait for the manufacture of a new double-glazed window. In order to solve the problem, you will need to purchase a sealant and a gun to apply it. This is a fairly cheap and easy way to repair.

In order to start work, you need to remove the damaged glass in the manner described above, then separate the damaged glass sheet with a knife or chisel; the structure is cleaned of old sealant. You will need to set the frames vertically. You need to clean the edge of the frame from the front side, you can do this with acetone.

To replace a double-glazed window, you will need a sealant and a special gun.

Repair of double-glazed windows requires accurate measurements. There should be no discrepancies even by 1 mm. Having previously cleaned and dried the surviving leaks, apply fresh sealant to the edge of the frame and apply new glass, cut exactly to size. Make sure that its edges do not protrude beyond the magazine. Most often, the seal should also be replaced along with the glass, since the old one is likely to be damaged and will not be able to hold the glass unit well.

In order to reduce the humidity in the room and normalize the temperature regime, it is necessary to build a supply device into the window. For example, you can use the supply valves from the French company Aereko. In addition, the window sill should not block the flow of warm air to the window, and also blinds, curtains, curtains, etc. should not interfere with this.

In addition, to normalize the humidity in the room, it is necessary to organize natural ventilation of the room. To do this, you need to regularly ventilate the room for 10-15 minutes several times a day. This will allow fresh air to enter the room and the exhaust ventilation system will work properly.

If the above measures do not help to solve the issue of condensation inside the glass unit, then most likely the reason for this will be a factory defect, or the depressurization of the glass unit.

Is the glass unit with water subject to replacement under warranty?? If this is a factory defect, there was no visible damage, then the manufacturer must replace the glass unit with a new one.

As a rule, the quality and presence of a desiccant in the spacer frame of the double-glazed window and sealing layers also affects the life of the window, as well as whether condensation will occur inside the glass unit. If the desiccant is of poor quality, has lost its properties over time, or is completely absent, then it is not surprising that moisture will collect. In this case, you can try to replace it yourself and perform repair of a double-glazed window with water... This requires:

Remove the glazing beads from the window and pull the glass unit out of the frame.
Take a drill, put a stop on it and drill a small hole in the spacer. This must be done carefully so as not to completely pierce the distance frame.
After that, you need to pour out the spoiled desiccant, twist a small funnel from a sheet of paper, insert it into the hole and pour a new desiccant into the spacer.
Then the hole must be sealed with sealant.
Finally, the glass unit is installed in place.

Upon completion of these works, as a rule, the problem with the occurrence of condensation inside the glass unit must be resolved.

It should also be noted that after the glass unit has been removed from the frame, it is necessary to inspect it for depressurization. If there is a place where the sealing of the double-glazed unit is broken, it must be cleaned of dirt and cleaned to the distance frame. After that, you need to dry the glass unit with an ordinary hair dryer and cover the damaged area with a sealant. After the done manipulations water in a glass unit should no longer appear.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the occurrence of moisture inside the glass unit very often occurs due to rejection or depressurization of the glass unit. If the window is under warranty, you must contact the window manufacturer. If the warranty has long expired, you can try to solve the problem yourself or replace the glass unit.

The most popular material for the manufacture of windows has become a metal-plastic profile. Its advantages are low cost, ease of use and resistance to natural influences.

However, no matter how strong the structure is, malfunctions and breakdowns are inevitable. One of these is water in a glass unit.

How to repair a double-glazed unit, in which moisture has appeared between the glasses, you will learn in this article.

A double-glazed unit is a sealed structure consisting of several glasses connected to each other. Glasses form chambers filled with dry air or inert gas. There are single, double or triple glazed windows. A desiccant material is located at the bottom of each chamber.

If the tightness of at least one chamber is broken, then humid air will get inside the glass unit. When the air temperature drops, moisture will begin to condense on the glass surface (fogging). With a high level of air humidity, excluding fogging, water can accumulate inside the glass unit.

The reason for the depressurization of the glass unit can be mechanical damage, manufacturing defects or improper installation.

Find out more about the design of plastic windows and its elements here.

Depressurization of a double-glazed unit will entail a deterioration in all technical characteristics of the window:

thermal insulation;
sound insulation;
fogging in cold weather.

Which windows to choose - plastic or wooden. Review of characteristics, costs, advantages and disadvantages.

Read about the types and rules for choosing combined windows here.

If water appears inside the glass unit or it fogs up from the inside, then the only effective solution is to replace the glass unit. This is a simple operation that does not require dismantling the window frame. You just need to take out the old glass unit and install a new one.

How to reduce fogging of windows in the cold season, read the article How to reduce moisture condensation on plastic windows.

To dismantle the old glass unit, you will need the following tools: a chisel or spatula and a rubber hammer. Dismantling takes place in 2 consecutive steps:

Pry the lower glazing bead (the strip that holds the glass unit) with a chisel or spatula and hit the chisel a couple of times (lightly) with a hammer. The shtapik should come off its seat. Then remove the remaining glazing beads in the same way.
Pull the glass unit out of the frame or sash. If the glass is cracked, it may break completely when pulled out, therefore gloves and goggles must be used.

For installation, you will need additional tools and materials: a tape measure and linings for double-glazed windows of different sizes.

Algorithm for installing a new glass unit:

Remove the exact dimensions of the old glass unit and order the manufacture of a new one. It is best to order from the same company that installed the window.
Install the linings on the window according to the scheme provided in the technical documents.
Place the glass unit on the spacers and center it so that the gaps from the frame are the same on all sides. If you need to align the glass unit, then you can install a lining of a suitable size.
Install the glazing beads in their original places. In this case, it is very important not to confuse them in places.

The production of a new double-glazed unit will take some time. In order not to be left without a glazed window this time, you can measure the glass unit without removing it. To do this, you need to perform several actions:

Measure the distance from one joint of the glazing bead and the frame to the opposite joint, and then subtract 10 mm from the obtained value. This is how the height and width of the glass unit is measured.
To measure the thickness of the glass unit, you need to remove one glazing bead and insert a pre-made wire hook into the gap between the frame and the glass. Hook on the far edge of the glass unit and make a mark on the wire along the near edge of the glass. Then pull out the wire and measure the thickness.

The easiest way to repair a glass unit of a plastic window is to call a specialist who will independently figure out the window arrangement, take measurements and select suitable materials for replacing or repairing the window.

Condensation on plastic windows - causes, methods and remedies.

Read about the care, cleaning and replacement of the plastic window and door seal in this article.

If the reason for the depressurization of the glass unit is mechanical damage (crack, chip or hole), then it must be replaced. However, during the manufacture of a new glass unit, the defect of the old one can worsen and lead to complete destruction.

In order to prevent crack growth and reduce heat losses through it, it is necessary to strengthen the defect with any transparent sealant, for example, silicone. Such manipulations will not eliminate the defect, but will only delay the time until complete destruction.

Learn more about the causes and repair of cracks in a glass unit of a plastic window from the article Repair of a broken glass unit.

There are cases when there are no obvious defects in the glass unit, but it still fogs up from the inside. Regardless, it needs to be replaced. After all, the fact is that moisture has penetrated into the air chamber and when the temperature drops, it will condense on the glass. Even if you manage to make the glass unit airtight again, it is very difficult to remove moisture, and without this the defect cannot be eliminated.

The appearance of moisture inside the glass unit is a signal of a malfunction in the window structure. If this problem is eliminated in a timely manner, then the window will continue to maintain the coziness of your home. You can replace the glass unit yourself, but it is better to entrust it to professionals. Indeed, in case of poor quality work, there will be someone to ask.

I dried the inside of the bag. Why change if everything is whole. It was my marriage. I drilled a frame between the glasses on opposite sides and turned on the hairdryer on one side at full power. You need to blow from the bottom up. Warm air will go up. All condensate came out in 2 hours. Turned off the hair dryer and covered the holes with sealant. Also, I sealed the leakage points with silicone sealant.
Drill diameter 8 mm. With a hairdryer, you need to blow not into the hole, but into the glass from below to create a draft for air exchange. Do not heat too much, otherwise the black factory sealant will begin to drain. I noticed this business in time and pushed the hairdryer away from the glass.
For the second year already. There is no condensation.

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 place. 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; 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.