Practically in every modern home and office space plastic window systems are installed. They are preferred for versatility, practicality and durability. However, situations often occur when the window block ceases to perform its functions or requires urgent repair. In addition, not every owner of PVC structures is aware that they need to be periodically adjusted. Because of this, a lot of difficulties arise.
Today there are many companies that provide window repair and adjustment services. However, regularly turning to them for help will require material costs from you.
Knowing how to adjust plastic windows, you can do all the work yourself. At the same time, you will save money and extend the life of the entire unit. What you need to know about regulationwindows and how to fix problems, read our article.
In what situations is the block adjustment required
After installing a plastic window, a warm and comfortable microclimate is established in the room. However, after a while, it may begin to blow cold from the opening, a draft appears. This may be due to the shrinkage of the building or to the weakening of the pressure of the valves. In this case, system repair is required.
Knowing how to adjust plastic windows, you can solve a number of other problems. Namely:
- eliminate the sagging of the moving part;
- eliminate drafts;
- improve the heat and sound insulation of the window;
- set up the operation of PVC system fittings;
- prepare the block for the season change.
During the operation of the window, the sash begins to rub against the frame, the handles can become loose and stop scrolling altogether. In such a situation, the further functioning of the system will be difficult. However, do not panic. Fixing these problems is quite simple. How to do this, read below.
Before starting work, prepare the necessary tools
If you are wondering how to adjust plastic windows yourself, you must have the appropriate hand tool.
Required accessories include:
- hex wrenches (4mm type is especially important);
- flat and star screwdriver;
- pliers;
- lubricants (such as machine oil or WD-40 spray).
In the process of doing most of the work on setting up a PVC window, you will need a furniture key (hex). Work with accessories is carried out using a screwdriver with various nozzles.
This work does not require a lot of time. A typical window setup takes 20-25 minutes. Elimination of defects and replacement of accessories will last no more than an hour.
What you need to know before starting work
There is a lot of information on the Internet on how to adjust plastic windows for winter mode, eliminate possible problems and get the whole system working. However, incomprehensible terms in them lead the average reader into a stupor. How to do the work yourself if you do not understand what the instructions are about?
This reaction is caused by the names of the main device that ensures the locking of the sash - pin, eccentric. To understand what is at stake, open the sash of your window. From its end you will see metal elements resembling a cylinder (or in the form of an oval). Most often they have special holes for adjustment with a furniture key. These are the elements we are talking about. They are located in the center of the frame, below and above it.
To adjust the plastic window for the winter (as well as for the summer), you need to work not only in the eccentric area, but also in the hinge locations. To do this, the protectivecaps.
How to prepare a PVC system for the change of seasons
During the installation of the plastic window unit, the average pressure of the sash to the frame is set. When the cold season sets in, the fit density of the detachable part should be maximum. This prevents cold air from entering the room.
In the summer, the pressure should be loosened. This approach helps to ensure a favorable microclimate in the room. In addition, reducing the load on the sealing material contributes to its longer service life.
To adjust plastic windows for winter mode as correctly as possible, do the work in strict accordance with the instructions. It involves the following actions:
- Open the sash and locate all the eccentrics. There are 4-5 of them on a standard frame. If we are talking about euro doors, then the number of pins can reach 9 pieces.
- If there is no hole for a hexagon on the clamping elements, then they must be adjusted with pliers. In all other cases, use the furniture key.
- Pay attention to the location of the eccentrics. If they stand vertically, the window is in summer mode, and if it is horizontal, it is in winter mode.
- Turn the pins clockwise to the correct position. In some systems, to adjust the clamping element, you need to pull it towards you, and only then turn it.
- Adjust all clamp pins. If ayou will miss a few of them, by closing the window you will damage the integrity and evenness of the block.
Check if the frame is pressed tight enough. To do this, insert a sheet of paper between the frame and the window, close the moving part of the block. If the sheet is difficult to reach, the system is well adjusted. If easy, replace the rubber seal.
If you understand how to adjust the plastic window for the winter, preparing the block for the summer will no longer cause questions. The work is carried out in a similar way, only the eccentrics are installed in a vertical position.
What to do if the window blows?
If the temperature in the room dropped during the onset of cold weather, there is a possibility that cold air passes through the window. To detect drafts, use regular matches. Light one of them and bring it to the window. If the fire is directed in one direction, the penetration of cold air takes place.
How to adjust the plastic window so that it does not blow? First, increase the frame pressure. Turn all eccentrics clockwise. Adjustment of degree of a pressing varies within 2 mm. If after the work done, the thrust remains, replace the seal.
Measure the perimeter of the frame and determine how much sealant you need. Buy expensive and high-quality options. They have a longer service life.
In addition to the rubber seal, you will need special glue. It must be applied to the groove around the perimeter of the frame. After that installrubber band and close the window while the adhesive dries. If the frame starts to close very tight, you will need to adjust the plastic windows. How to do this, read above.
How to deal with large gaps
If there are large gaps between the frame and the movable part of the window, then the adjustment must be carried out using hinges. To understand how to adjust the plastic windows on the hinge side, you need to remove the decorative caps from them.
First, attention should be paid to the upper window suspension. With it, you can adjust the horizontal offset of the upper part of the frame. To do this, take the L-shaped furniture key and place its short part in the adjustment hole. It is located at the end of the sash itself.
Work with the window open. Slightly turn the screw and check the ease of closing the window. This way you can move the upper part of the frame from -2 to +2 mm.
The second method of adjusting the sash of a plastic window is to align it from the side of the bottom hinge. Work is carried out if the frame is severely warped, and the window has become difficult to close.
Most often this happens in new homes. During the adjustment process, the same L-shaped hexagon is used. How to adjust a plastic window so that it closes as easily as possible?
To do this, do the following:
- With the window open, insert the hexagon into the adjusting hole.
- Checkscrew in the desired direction.
- Check if the bottom bar of the window is correctly positioned.
- Adjust the vertical offset of the entire sash.
- Open the window.
- Insert the long end of the furniture key into the hole at the top of the hinge.
- Turn the key in the desired direction.
- Check if the sash is positioned correctly.
With this method you can adjust the vertical and horizontal position of the opening part of the frame within -2 to +2 mm.
What to do if a plastic window has sagged as a result of shrinkage at home: how to adjust it?
A significant change in the size of the window opening can cause a strong distortion of the window sash. As a result of this phenomenon, it may stop closing and rub against part of the frame.
If gaps of more than 3 mm appear in the block, the situation cannot be changed by adjusting. You will have to order and install a new window.
If the changes are not too critical, you can try to adjust the plastic window from the suspension side. The instruction (how to perform such work) is as follows:
- Take the hexagon, open the window.
- Insert the key into the hole located in the upper canopy.
- Turn the key in the required direction. If you rotate it clockwise, the sash will be attracted to the hinges. When rotated counterclockwise, the window is pulled towards the mullion (opposite from the hinges).
- If the sashhits the frame, insert the key into the hole in the lower canopy.
- If the window needs to be lifted up, turn the key clockwise, and if lowered - against its movement.
If the work done did not help, the window must be dismantled.
What if the window stopped closing?
If you have correctly adjusted the frame horizontally and vertically, but the window does not close, the problem should be sought in the handle or one of the eccentrics. To understand which device has a problem, you need to open a window. After that, hold the latch for opening the sash with your fingers and try to turn the handle down. If it spins, the problem is one of the cams.
You can determine the failed element by unscrewing the clamping bars one by one. A defective clamp should be replaced.
Let's take a closer look at how to properly adjust plastic windows if the problem is in the handle. In such cases, the opening lever must be replaced. This is done like this:
- The top and bottom of the protective plate on the handle is slightly pry with a screwdriver.
- Two fixing bolts are unscrewed. The defective element of the system is being removed.
- A new handle is being inserted. It must be placed in exactly the same position as the old one.
- The product is bolted to the sash.
- The protective plate returns to its original position.
If the handle is just loose, you just need to turn the protective plate, tighten the screws andcover them again with plastic molding.
If during operation the window mechanisms began to jam or work hard, they may just need to be cleaned. After all, all working elements are outside, which means they are in contact with dust and other contaminants. Using rags and cotton swabs, remove dirt from all metal surfaces, wipe them with a rag and grease with special compounds.
The handle of the opening sash is jammed: what to do?
Among the possible problems with plastic windows, one of the most popular is handle jamming. And if we figured out the question of how to adjust plastic windows, then what to do in such situations is unknown.
Most of the owners of PVC systems prefer to pull the shutter lever well, with this they cause even more damage to the sash opening mechanism. Let's look into the causes of this problem.
The handle can jam in any position: with the window open, in the room ventilation mode and with the sash closed. In the first two situations, there is a possibility of frame distortion and blocker operation.
If the opening part of the window hangs on one bottom hinge, do the following:
- Gently turn the knob up.
- Press the top hinge of the sash against the frame.
- Turn the shutter lever to the right side.
- Close the sash, lower the handle down.
- Press the sash carefully against the frame.
- Turn the handle up and open the window onventilation.
The window lock can also work when the handle is turned sharply at a large angle. In this case, the lock can be released by pressing a special button and turning the corresponding lever. Each manufacturing company has them in different locations, so you should contact their representative and find out about the installation location of such an element.
Hard turning of the handle (or its jamming) when the sash is closed can occur as a result of strong shrinkage of the building. Such situations are extremely rare and require the participation of specialists.
Summing up
We figured out how to adjust the plastic windows yourself. As you can see, this process is more than simple, it does not require special skills and professional tools.
PVC maintenance work can be done by any homeowner. And in order to quickly identify the problem and find a method to solve it, you just need to have the appropriate instructions at hand.
Seasonal window adjustment should be done twice a year. Then your window will serve you as long as possible.
If large gaps appear between the sash and the block, perform work to eliminate them. To do this, adjust the sash vertically and horizontally using the holes in the canopies.
Such work should be done in the following cases:
- if the sash rubs against the top of the frame, you need to open the window and push it forward on the top hinge with the short side of the furniture key;
- if the sash is sagging and catches the bottom of the frame, you need to adjust it through the bottom hinge hole;
- if it rubs against the side of the frame, use the short side of the L-key to push it on both hinges in the opposite direction.
The same work is done in cases where the plastic window does not close well. How to adjust the sash in the presence of a draft? By adjusting all eccentrics.
If the work done did not prevent the penetration of cold air into the room, start replacing the seal. However, remember, if you have replaced the rubber band, you need to loosen the sash against the frame. Otherwise, the window will close tightly, and the sealing material itself will quickly fail.
Do window maintenance work carefully and slowly. Do not forget to change the position of all pins at the same time. If more difficult situations arise, seek professional help. Our article will help you solve ordinary problems.
