Any uPVC window needs maintenance over time. Frequent opening/closing can lead to a malfunction of the window hardware. Mechanism jams, the window closes with difficulty and lets in sounds from the street. Lose closing and loss of tightness lead to heat loss. The window adjustment can help to restore the functionality of the window and maintain comfort in the house. You can eliminate defects or adjust the movement of the leaf yourself.

What tools are needed to adjust uPVC windows?

For a complete and correct adjustment of plastic windows you will need:

• 4 mm hexagon - a universal key designed to adjust window fittings of any brand;
• a key ‘Torx T15’ in the shape of an asterisk - an additional key that is needed to adjust some models of window fittings, such as Winkhaus;
• flat screwdriver and pliers - needed to adjust plastic windows to the "winter-summer" mode, change of hardware and work with bolts;
• lubrication - if the fittings are lubricated, it will extend their service life.

Also, a knife and a set of plastic pads may be required for auxiliary works.

Main stages of window adjustment

If you want to adjust the window, you can call a professional to your home. But it is not always comfortable. In the second case you can do all the adjustment work yourself, but lack of necessary skills can prevent this.So let's take a closer look at all the stages of adjusting plastic windows. Here are the main stages:

• horizontal adjustment - performed by turning the lower and upper hinges;
• vertical adjustment - performed by turning the lower hinges;
• adjusting the pressure of the leaf - is carried out using eccentrics (trunnions) of the frame;
• adjustment of the window handle - is done by tightening the screws located on the handle;
• change of the seal - is carried out if necessary by removing the old seal and installing a new seal.

How to adjust plastic windows horizontally?

If the window is slanted and while closing touches the side leaves, the upper hinge must be adjusted. This is a frequent problem caused by the wear and tear of the window hardware. The upper and lower hinges have adjustment holes for a hex key. Clockwise rotation of the hex key will help to raise the bottom of the leaf (the lower corner is raised on the opposite side of the hinge) and counterclockwise rotation will lower it.

Important! The screw is turned clockwise (or counterclockwise) until the leaf moves to the desired distance. Sliding of the leaf with each turn of the key reaches 2 mm.

Vertical adjustment of windows

If you cannot close the window by touching the top and bottom leaves, it indicates that the structure is sagging. This usually happens when the windows are over 1 meter high. When the windows are often opened, their heavy weight gradually presses the hinges. That is why sagging occurs.

To adjust the uPVC windows vertically, it is necessary to remove the plastic cap and get to the mechanism. Rotating the hex key clockwise will allow you to raise the leaf (corner with the hinge) 3 mm higher. By turning the key in the opposite direction, you will lower the leaf by 3 mm (look at the picture above).

WARNING! In most window models the hinges are installed on the right. But there are structures where the adjustment elements are mounted on the left. In this case, perform all movements in the opposite direction.

Adjustment of pressing the leaf

In quality windows, where original seals are installed , their replacement is not required for 10 years or more. However, in less expensive models with minimal equipment rubber seals over time lose elasticity, they dry out and crack. As a result, the tightness is lost and insulation deteriorates. This problem occurs due to strong temperature changes. It brings inconvenience in winter, when the heat escapes through the cracks and drafts are formed. To resolve the problem, in most cases it is necessary to replace the seals. But it also happens that it is enough to simply adjust the pressing of the leaf.

When you open the window leaf, you can find on the end oval cylinders - eccentrics (trunnions) . Turning the trunnion of the lower hinge clockwise increases the pressure and counterclockwise decreases it. Limits of adjustment - 0.8 mm.

The upper hinges are adjusted as follows: you need to remove the blocker, turn the handle to ventilation. The leaf will come off the hinge and you will be able to adjust the head that is responsible for pressing.

WARNING! If the windows were installed recently, you should not adjust the trunnion to the "winter" mode, because changing the rotary elements can deform the seals. In spring they will not restore their original shape. Prevention should be carried out in summer and winter. This mode will reduce the load on the structures and extend the service life of the seals.

Adjustment of window handle

The most frequent problems with malfunctioning window handles are their loosening, jamming or difficult rotation. If the handle is loose, it is necessary to turn the fastening of the base and tighten the bolts with a screwdriver. If the handle turns tightly, it is necessary to lubricate with grease moving elements and turn the handle several times. If this did not help, you should remove the plug and check the bolts.

Even if the handle is jammed and it does not move, do not panic. This is not a reason to replace the hardware. The handle can get jammed due to the blocking that does not allow to change the position of the leaf. In this case, it is necessary to remove the blocker. It is located on the side of the handle and looks like a plate attached to the end at an angle to the seal when the leaf is open. Another option is the form of the clip, which is located on the seal.

Important! Before adjusting plastic windows, make sure that you remember the algorithm of actions. When removing the block, keep the leaf vertical. Deviation will prevent the handle from turning due to the activation of the block. After the leaf takes a vertical position, the handle will turn easily.

Advice: When blocking the rotation you need to unscrew the hardware (blocker) bolts using a screwdriver and place a small object (for example, a piece of plastic or metal) between the block element and the frame. In such a way you can increase the adhesion with the blocker and the handle will return immediately.

Replacement of the handle

The handle can be replaced not only because of a malfunction. Sometimes this is necessary for the safety of small children who can open the window on their own. In this case, a handle with a limiter is installed. To replace the handle yourself, you need to turn it in the opposite direction. Then with the help of a screwdriver to unscrew the screws under it and remove the hardware.

Replacing the seal in plastic windows

The following signs will indicate that the seal needs to be replaced:

• cracks along the contour because of drying of the rubber;
• mechanical damage (tears or punctures);
• deformation (may appear at the assembly points of the chamber);
• loss of elasticity (the seal becomes hard over time).

Among the additional signs are blowing, poor sound insulation and formation of condensate around the perimeter of the leaves on the profile.

Sometimes the problem is solved by adjusting the window hardware, but if this does not help, you need to replace the seal. You can do this yourself. To do this, you need to remove the old seal from the grooves with the help of an ordinary screwdriver. Then you need to degrease the surface, apply glue to the new seal and insert it in the same place.

Useful tip: When you replace the seal, buy an original one that matches your window model in terms of stiffness and shape. Don’t buy its cheaper version. Also, do not tighten it too much. It is advisable to treat it with a silicone-based gel once every six months for it to serve for a long time.

Conclusion

Adjusting windows is not difficult to do. The main thing is to know what and how to adjust. We hope this guide helped you. If you want the windows to last as long as possible, they need systematic maintenance. Maintenance consists in greasing the fittings for protection against corrosion, friction and drying. Experts recommend doing it in summer and winter. Now you know how to adjust plastic windows, lubricate the hinge and can do everything yourself. But sometimes such actions will not help and you will need the help of real specialists.

* Illustrations are taken from the Winkhaus hardware adjustment instruction.

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