Plastic window does not close: what to do

Increasingly, wooden windows began to be replaced with plastic structures. Such products are convenient in that they do not allow cold air from the street, while maintaining a special microclimate in the room. After their installation or short operation, the user may encounter a defect in which the plastic window does not close. To fix this malfunction, you need to find out what caused it.

Main causes and troubleshooting

Most of the problems associated with the sash or ventilation window, which are not fully closed, are eliminated independently by adjustment. But there are certain types of breakdowns that only a professional can fix. The most common causes are:

• the sash is skewed or loosely attached to the frame;
• jammed, loose handle or it does not turn;
• the leaf leans back for double opening;
• the drainage bar is blocked.

Sash skewed or loose

Even if the window structure was installed correctly, it wears out during prolonged use. As a result, the sash sags, opens poorly, something touches it, or the upper right corner of the plastic window does not close to the end. You can fix a skewed sash by adjusting the position of the hinges and adjusting the angle of inclination. Work sequence:

• On the side of the end loops, special adjusting bolts are located above and below. They are covered with decorative caps that must be removed.
• For work, you will need a hexagon or Phillips screwdriver. With their help, it is necessary to tighten the fasteners by 1-2 mm.
• To check whether the sash is adjusted or not, the window is opened and closed several times.

If the sash has moved away and does not fit snugly on the frame, most likely the window has been misused. This happens when, when closing, the sash is not pressed close to the frame. During the rotation of the handle, the locking mechanism slips past the grooves, a gap is formed.

The incorrect position of the eccentrics responsible for summer and winter modes can also cause a loose fit of the sash. To adjust the mechanism, it is necessary to turn the central bolt with a hexagon.

Double opening

Double opening of the sash occurs due to improper closing of the metal-plastic window. When the user closes the sash, he weakly presses it against the box, and at this moment the mechanism falls into an intermediate position: the window becomes ventilated and at the same time fully opens. Repair the malfunction as follows:

• The handle is placed parallel to the window sill, the sash is pressed close to the frame, then the handle is lowered. The window is checked for operability.
• If the problem persists, then the “scissors” mechanism has flown out of the grooves. To restore it, the handle is placed in the upper position. If it does not turn, you need to press the lock. All elements of the swing-out mechanism are adjusted until they fall into their grooves. The lock is lowered. The handle is checked for operability.

The handle is jammed, does not turn, it is loose

Sometimes during prolonged use of the PVC window, the handle wedges in different states: it stops turning, becomes in the final position with great effort, the window cannot open at all.The blocker is to blame for all these problems, the task of which is to fix the locking mechanism when it is in a certain position. How to fix a blocker:

• In order for the sash to close, you need to turn the handle up, having previously pressed the lock. Then lower it, while pressing on the top of the structure. You can check the system for performance by opening and closing a window.
• If the handle movement remains tight, it must be lubricated with silicone or machine oil. In the upper and lateral part of the sash there are special openings where it is required to be filled.

If the handle is stuck and it stops lowering, you can not press on it with effort. This could cause a breakdown. To repair it, you have to remove the sash:

• for this, the overlay is removed from the upper loop, then the loop pin is pulled down;
• so that the pin can pop out, you need to pick it up with any convenient tool;
• lifting the sash up, it is removed from the bottom loop and put on the floor;
• by turning the handle and pressing the lock located at the end of the sash, the “scissors” mechanism is put into position;
• the mechanism should work, after which the sash is set in its place.

Sometimes the handle cannot connect to the stem due to poor fixation and becomes loose. At this point, managing it is difficult or even impossible. To restore its performance, you need to tighten the fixing bolts. They are located under the cap, at the base of the handle. The plug cannot be removed, it must be turned 90 °, tighten the bolts and put back into place. If, after all the actions, the problem remains unresolved, you will have to buy new accessories.

The drainage bar is blocked

What to do if the mechanism works well, and the plastic window does not close. Perhaps the drainage bar is blocked, which is located on the outside of the window. To correct it, just open the sash and put the tide in the desired position.

Preventive actions and repair work

Improper operation of window structures is the main reason why they break. To understand why the window is not completely closed, it will be easier if you know what elements it consists of and how these elements interact with each other. In addition, knowledge of the design will help to independently regulate the operation of the window system, to carry out all preventive measures. What relates to prevention:

• removal of dirt and dust from work units;
• lubrication of all moving elements of the locking mechanism (rods and hinges located inside the structure);
• inspection and cleaning of drainage holes.

To figure out which of the mechanisms need lubrication, you need to open the sash and turn the handle. During rotation, the rollers and locks located on the end surface of the sash will begin to move. They must be lubricated.

As a lubricant, use automobile oil (aerosol), a tool designed to lubricate plastic windows or a mineral compound for sewing machines (spindle). When using mineral oil, it must not be allowed to get on the rubber seal. This will lead to its deterioration and reduction of the operational life. For seals use a silicone compound.

Hardware Repair

After several years, the hardware begins to need repair, even if the window system was carefully looked after. It deteriorates when dirt and dust fall between moving parts. Often, when finishing the interior of the house and installing the window structure, the sashes are left open. Because of this, the transmission mechanisms are clogged with whitewashing and a new window has to be repaired by dismantling all the accessories. This work can be done independently:

• First, the hinges are freed from the decorative plugs, then the axis located on the upper hinge is screwed up with a screwdriver or knife and pulled out with pliers.So that the lower hinge does not break from the load of the structure, it is better if the second user helps support the sash.
• The removed sash is placed on a horizontal surface, unscrewing the fasteners, remove the handle. Next, take out the mechanism located in the groove.
• The accessories are laid out on the table and every detail is thoroughly washed. All parts that have mechanical damage in the form of chips and scratches are replaced with new ones.
• When the parts dry out, they are coated with special grease. Gear and rubbing elements are lubricated more thoroughly.
• Hardware is ready. It is returned to its place, then the handle is mounted.

The window is closed and opened several times, checking its operation.

Recommendations for use

To extend the life of plastic windows, you must follow the advice of specialists in the operation and installation of these structures. ABOUTmain recommendations:

• Double-glazed windows are best purchased from trusted manufacturers. They give a guarantee for the material and fittings.
• Do not install the window structure yourself. This work should be done by professionals who know how to properly install a double-glazed window. In addition, they have all the necessary equipment.
• The handle must be used carefully, without unnecessary pressure and load, otherwise the mechanism will deteriorate and the euro-window will not close.
• Do not hang objects such as clothing on the sash.
• It is necessary to constantly and correctly clean all moving mechanisms from dust and dirt, as well as lubricate them. To do this, once a year conduct a routine inspection of the window structure. In addition, such work will reveal all the damage.
• If the window is in the “airing” or “open” mode, the hinges are heavily loaded, so you should not leave the sash in this position for a long time.
• In winter, windows are rarely opened, which leads to stagnation of the mechanism. To prevent this from happening, you must periodically open them.

You can repair the window system yourself, in various ways. The main thing is to establish the cause of the breakdown. If you can’t restore its performance, you should ask for help from professionals.

If all the recommendations for operation and maintenance are observed, the double-glazed windows will stand idle for a long time without breakdowns, and if they appear, they will most likely be insignificant.