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Adjusting windows
Before you repair windows and especially their replacement, it would be nice to find out if it will not be enough to adjust the windows to restore their functioning.
The adjustment of plastic windows does not differ from the adjustment of wooden windows with an inclined-turn fittings. The accessories for aluminium windows are different, although the recent application of traditional accessories for plastic windows is also found in aluminium windows.
In most cases, windows can be adjusted independently, and windows can be repaired by specialists.
What can I do by myself?
The simplest and most useful for a pleasant and long-lasting operation is a few drops of engine oil 1-2 times a year on so-called trunnions - locking elements protruding around the perimeter of the shutter.
If in the closed position the seal does not fit snugly and from under it a draft is felt - adjustment is required.
The clamping is provided by trunnions and counter plates. The trunnions are small eccentrics, which, when rotated, press the flap stronger or vice versa loosen it. But keep in mind that too much pressure will lead to an excessive load on the hardware and the window will not only be difficult to close, but the service life of the hardware will also be significantly shortened.
The window leaf may be deformed for various reasons. These can be small thermal expansion of plastic or the influence of the temperature-humidity regime on wood. It is also possible that the glass unit is not correctly wedged. In any case, if the deformations are small - they can be compensated for by the adjustment provided in the fittings.
Hexahedron - almost the standard tool for most series of fittings. But there are fittings with adjustable spanners and even manually without tools.
The procedure for adjusting the sash position: First, the lower hinge is adjusted, which normally adjusts the position of the flap up and down and a slight shift left-right, and then the upper hinge that tilts the flap left-right.
Adjustment of the leaf clamping is carried out by successive regulation of the trunnions along the perimeter.
When should I call a specialist?
If the adjustment does not give a result and the mashing or seizing does not occur due to too much deformation of the leaf - it will require the help of a specialist in order to carry out the "repackaging of the insulating glass unit". Those. remove the glazing bears to remove the double-glazed window and install it again correctly wedging it.
If the hardware is broken. Usually the window hardware is designed for 15000-20000 opening, but sometimes it happens that it breaks down and then you need to repair or replace the hardware. It is better to instruct this master of a high class.
What else in the windows can spoil?
Although modern windows are durable and repair of metal-plastic windows with accurate operation is a relatively rare phenomenon, nevertheless occurs.
A dried, lost elasticity or significantly shortened seal does not ensure the tightness of the window and leads to large energy losses and deterioration of sound insulation. In both cases, replace the seals. Pay attention to the fact that the seals are a great variety in shape, size and material. Replacement of the sealant of double-glazed windows is best entrusted to specialists. Replacement of seals between the leaf and the frame can be made and independently if you have a suitable seal. But because of the lack of such seals on sale and this operation is better to instruct a specialist.
Replacing a broken glass unit will require two important operations - measuring the thickness, width and height of the glass unit, as well as determining the number of glasses and the presence of energy-efficient glasses (i-glass). These operations will require simple skills and repair of plastic windows in such cases will not be particularly difficult.
If the profile is broken, you definitely need to repair the window.
If the flap profile (which is extremely rare) or the flap is pulled out due to excessive load in the open state, the flap can be replaced by ordering the same from the same profile series. Measurements and replacement should be instructed by a specialist.
If the profile of the frame has burst, then a window replacement will be required. If desired, you can save double-glazed windows if they are with high energy efficiency, and order windows without new double-glazed windows, which will save you money.
