Restoring the performance of a plastic window: repair or replacement of parts

Metal-plastic windows (more precisely, high-quality metal-plastic windows) have a very high level of reliability. But the failure of the structure is still possible — due to neglect of regular maintenance, work under heavy load or simply as a result of wear and tear over time. At such moments, the question arises about the fundamental possibility of repairing the window or replacing components.

The optimal solution is to contact a specialist in diagnostics, repair and maintenance of PVC structures. But you can also evaluate the prospect of repair yourself — for this it is worth studying the recommendations in this article.

Profile repair

There are several reasons why the frames, sashes or imposts of a metal-plastic window can be damaged:

• Hacking attempts
• Excessive loads
• Improper care
• Installation errors

As a result, the plastic part of the structure may be damaged:

1. Scratches and chips on the front surfaces
2. Surfacing defects
3. Cracks on the corners of the structure

If the first group of defects is purely cosmetic, then damage to the surfacing and angular cracks directly affect the strength and reliability of the structure. Both the strength of the window and its thermal insulation characteristics will decrease — therefore, you need to pay attention to any such defect.

Alas — with sufficiently complex damage, the window will have to be changed. Moreover, either the entire structure is subject to replacement, or only the sash — if the frame remains intact. In this case, you can at least partially save money, but still you can't do without the help of professionals.

If we are talking about a shallow crack or surface scratches — "possible options". The defect is filled with a polymer sealant, after polymerization, the surface is thoroughly sanded. The strength of the profile, of course, will decrease, the repair site will be noticeable — but the tightness will be restored.

Replacement of the seal

The window seal may require replacement as a result:

• Natural aging (the contour serves 10-15 years, in the absence of regular care — less)

• Deformations
• Drying out
• Temperature changes
• Mechanical damage

In case of any defects, be it creases, cracks or tears, the seal must be replaced. It cannot be repaired, so you just call the master, who will dismantle the old seal and install a new one in its place.

     A separate article in our blog is devoted to replacing the plastic window seal.

Repair or replacement of double-glazed windows

Even a standard double-glazed window without a triplex or tempered glass is quite difficult to break (accidentally). But a crack in the double-glazed window may appear. Possible causes:

• Incorrect installation
• Mechanical damage
• Temperature difference (part of the double-glazed window in the bright sun, part in the shade)
• Exposure to an open flame or heating device

Alas, the repair of double—glazed windows is an almost unrealistic (and unprofitable) task. The optimal solution would be a complete replacement of the double-glazed window. And for what reasons:

• Any damage to the double-glazed window is associated with a breach of tightness. Air with high humidity gets inside, and to dehumidify the air, you will have to completely disassemble the double-glazed window.
• Replacement of one glass in a double—glazed window is possible only in production - it will not work at home. Therefore, we will have to take the double-glazed window to the factory, disassemble it there, change the glass and re-seal it. All this time, the opening will be open, which is undesirable even in the warm season.

In addition to mechanical damage, there is another reason to replace the double—glazed window - condensation between the glasses. The reasons are a violation of the tightness or inefficient operation of the contents of the remote frame (which is just responsible for the absorption of moisture). If the condensate appeared during the warranty period, contact the manufacturer: this is a 100% warranty case. If the warranty has already ended — alas, you will have to change the double-glazed window at your own expense.

Advice! It is not necessary to "tolerate" condensation, because it not only worsens visibility, but also increases the thermal conductivity of the double-glazed window. You will lose both heat and money.

Accessories

 With proper care (cleaning, lubrication, adjustment as needed), the fittings work with a good margin of reliability. At the same time, the modular design of the fittings facilitates its repair. Typical situations:

• Broken handle. This happens quite often, especially when using inexpensive handles, which are equipped with windows "by default". If the handle is just loose, it is enough to tighten the mounting screws, if the handle breaks, it is simply replaced with a new one.
• Breakage of individual hardware elements. To search for defects and repair a window, it is worth inviting a master — without sufficient experience, it is difficult to understand why the window does not open or close. In addition, it is important to choose a compatible part (especially if the window was installed a long time ago and the fittings have already been discontinued).
• Complete inoperable fittings. The situation is rare, but possible — especially if the care of the mechanism has been neglected for a long time. A complete replacement of the hardware binding of the sash is quite possible at home — but it should be entrusted to a master with sufficient experience. The procedure takes about an hour and a half, while the functionality of the window is fully restored. At the same time, you can install additional hardware elements that expand the possibilities of ventilation or increase the level of safety.

Window repair and replacement of their components are complex tasks, and most of these tasks can be solved only by a highly qualified master. To avoid costly repairs, do not neglect the care of the structure — the plastic window needs to be cleaned and lubricated regularly. But if the problem still occurs, call a specialist for diagnosis, otherwise the situation will worsen, and the window will have to be changed completely.

You can order a high-quality professional installation of metal-plastic windows by following the link