Do-it-yourself repair of plastic window fittings. Common breakdowns.

On plastic windows, hinges are a mechanism that ensures a reliable connection between the sash and the frame.

Hinges are a type of window fittings; they are needed to open and close the sashes and ensure a tight fit to the frame.

Hinges for windows made of plastic profiles from modern manufacturers prevent sagging of the window sash and ensure a tight fit to the seal, which prevents drafts.

They are made of aluminum, steel or brass, finished with high-strength plastic. According to production technology, they are pressed and forged, the latter option is much stronger.

When choosing hinges, you need to pay attention to the following characteristics:

Type of material.
Design load.
Axle material and diameter.
Additional features - regulation range, burglary protection.

The color of the hinges can be selected according to the color of the profile.

Hinges are the basis for various opening options - swing, tilt, turn-tilt, hinged.

They provide:

Uniform distribution of dynamic and mechanical load.
Ease of operation.
Quiet opening.

They can withstand loads, depending on the window configuration, from 80 to 150 kg. The quality of the hinges affects the level of sound and sound insulation and prevents heat loss.

The window does not close

Most often, such a malfunction is observed on windows installed more than 10 years ago. At that time, metal-plastic structures were just gaining their popularity and there were no time-tested mechanisms.

If problems arise with closing, first of all you should carry out a visual inspection of the fittings on the sash and the strikers on the frame.

Trunnion on the sash and strike plate on the frame

An inspection will help detect obvious damage to the fittings, as well as foreign objects that may have gotten into the mechanism and interfere with its normal operation.

Breakage of the strike plate

If everything looks fine on the outside, you should pay attention to other possible causes.

The sash is sagging

A common problem with large blocks with high opening rates. If the window is open in the swing mode, then the first thing to do is to lift the sagging edge of the sash by the handle, insert it into the frame and try to turn the handle to the closed position. If unsuccessful, you need to try to adjust the tilt of the hinges yourself. To do this, remove the decorative trim from them and use a 4-point hex to turn the adjusting screw clockwise.

Pull up

Bottom Hinge Adjustment

Incorrect operation of the blocker

The lock is designed to prevent opening in two modes at the same time. Visually, this is a spring-loaded plate fixed on the side of the opening element.

Blockers from various manufacturers

If the lock operates at the wrong time, for example, due to a quick and not entirely accurate turn of the handle when opening, the mechanism may jam. To bring it into working condition, you need to move the plate manually and completely turn the handle to the “open” position.

Other reasons for the incorrect operation of the blocker include deformation of the profile to which it is screwed and incorrect adjustment of the fittings. In such situations, the plate will not accurately fit into the seat on the frame striker and rest against it, preventing closure. The problem is usually solved by adjustment, except in cases where the deformation of the curved profile does not allow this.

Video instructions for adjusting the fittings yourself:

If the lock is completely out of order and does not allow you to close the sash, it is better to dismantle it - the window can function normally for some time without it. On most models of fittings, the assembly with a spring-loaded bar is unscrewed with a regular Phillips screwdriver. On some Maco models it is not removable. On Aubi products, the tongue may unbend over time, and to restore the mechanism to function, it is enough to bend it back into place (usually towards the street).

The fittings of the slot ventilator are in the way

If for any reason this element has changed its original location, for example, due to a loose fastener, then the sash will not be fully pressed against the frame and the handle will not be able to be rotated to the desired position. Adjusting the strike plate is quite simple - it has oval holes for self-tapping screws, along which the position is adjusted. If for some reason the bar cannot be moved, you should try to adjust the mechanism on the sashes.

Setting the axles on the frame in winter - summer mode

The bar, the operation of which is in doubt, can be removed - the sash, if handled carefully, will work normally without it. By removing and putting back all the strips one by one, it is enough to simply identify the faulty one and adjust its position.

Rules of operation and care

To increase the service life and maintain aesthetic appeal, the moving hinge parts should be lubricated at least once a year with oil that does not contain acids or resins that contribute to the destruction of corrosion protection.
If the handle is loose, the decorative strip underneath it is lifted and, by tightening the screws, the handle is fixed.
To clean the fittings, use a stiff brush. With an open structure, all hidden parts are wiped with a damp cloth - especially the places where the moving mechanisms are attached to the static frames.
Lubrication is carried out by spraying 2 drops of silicone grease onto each element of the roller mechanism. In this case, the control handle must be constantly rotated, as when opening and closing a window, to evenly distribute the lubricant over the surface of the parts experiencing friction.
Do not use vegetable oil, butter, Vaseline, or shoe gel for lubrication, as this will lead to rapid wear of parts.

Top corner won't close

The upper part located above the handle may not close for the following reasons:

The door sagged. In this case, the sagging is not as critical as in the case described above, and the lower part can fall into place. However, the upper pins will touch the striker, which is usually accompanied by a characteristic knock when trying to close the window. The adjustment is made depending on the installed mechanism. In some cases, it is enough to slightly adjust the position of the strike plate: release the fasteners, lower it slightly and fix it. Roto fittings allow you to adjust the angle of the sash.

Adjusting the standard strike plate
The top canopy is not working correctly. This is common with Aubi movements. The hinge rotates, which is why the corner of the sash on top of the handle is not fully pressed. It can be rotated manually to its original position and the window closed. However, this will only be a temporary solution, since the situation will definitely repeat itself soon. Aubi has closed production, so most likely it will be necessary to replace the mechanism with a new one.
Read also: How to beautifully and cheaply make repairs with your own hands with photos

How to choose window fittings?

At the moment, the window market offers a large selection of fittings with a wide range of prices. The most popular brands of window fittings:

ROTO (Germany)
SIEGENIA-AUBI (Germany)
MACO (Austria)
GU (Germany)
SCHUCO (Germany)
WINKHAUS (Poland)

Don't skimp on window fittings! A high-quality mechanism will last for many years.

Our company's specialists prefer the German brand ROTO. It is distinguished by durability, quality and reliability. The manufacturer guarantees 10 years of flawless operation with proper use and timely prevention.

The window is stuck and won't open

In most cases, the reason is the blocker mentioned above, or rather, its untimely operation.

If you inadvertently turn the handle down in the open swing position and then close it, the lock may operate.

The further sequence of actions depends on the model of the mechanism. First you need to try to re-close and open the sash alternately in tilt and turn modes.

If the handle does not rotate fully to any of the open positions, try the following:

With one hand, lightly pull the top corner near the hinges;
At the same time, try to rotate the handle to the swing position;
Place the trunnion clamping eccentric vertically.

There are situations when the handle is not jammed, but, on the contrary, rotates around its axis, but the sash does not react in any way to the rotation. This indicates a breakdown of the fittings and in this case it is unlikely that you will be able to do anything on your own. The good news is that such breakdowns do not occur suddenly, but it all starts with play in the handle, which increases over time. Therefore, if you take timely measures and replace the faulty part, you can avoid unpleasant surprises.

Blitz tips

When ordering the installation of plastic window structures, the choice of hinge structure is made by the manufacturer, and depends on the type of opening, profile, glass package and fittings weight.
The quality of the hinges largely determines the service life of the windows.
If necessary, adjustment of the sash structure is mandatory to avoid serious breakdowns.
You can lubricate and adjust the hinges yourself.
If there is a warranty and a defect is detected in the design, the problem is solved by contacting the installers.

Stuck in ventilation mode

The cause of jamming is usually the exit from the grooves or the breakdown of the so-called “scissors”.

In case of such window breakdowns, the main thing is not to apply excessive force to the handle and not to try to forcefully close or open the sash.

To restore the unit's functionality, you must do the following:

Remove the sash. To do this, you first need to remove the top canopy cover, pull the special rod down and remove the hinge.
When the top is detached, the sash is easily removed from the bottom hinge - just lift it a little.

Bottom loop
We place the sash bottom on the floor so that it is convenient to work with its top.
We look for the grooves into which the “scissors” should fit and insert them into place. It may be necessary to press the lock bar or turn the handle.
We assemble the block in reverse order.

Sometimes you can do without dismantling the sash. This will require certain skills and enough free space at the top of the window, since if the slopes get in the way, it will be quite difficult to push the “scissors” into place.

Jamming in the ventilation mode can also occur due to broken fittings, the presence of foreign objects in the mechanisms or grooves, misalignment of the sash and incorrect operation of the lock.

Tools required for repairs

A plastic window has become familiar.
To deal with certain vagaries of a window, you will need the very minimum of devices, which are available to every owner and almost every housewife:

screwdrivers (both flat and Phillips);
a set of “stars” (screwdriver bits);
hexagon (required 4 mm, also known as a furniture wrench, you can usually get it in the repair “first aid kit” of any cyclist).

Less commonly, WD-40 aerosol may be needed, but more on that later.

The door hung on one hinge

In such situations, the sash is held in the frame by the lower canopy and upper “scissors”. The breakdown is eliminated as follows:

We put the top of the sash in its working position - as if nothing had fallen out. To do this, you need to gently press the upper corner with your palm until it stops; you should not apply excessive force.
Pressing the lock with your finger, place it vertically and turn the handle horizontally. The main thing is that the upper corner is pressed at this time.
When the upper mechanism catches on the hinge, you can close and open the window in the usual way.

The most common cause of such a breakdown is considered to be incorrect operation of the fittings combined with the human factor. The window is transferred from the ventilation mode to the swing mode without completely pressing the top of the sash to the frame.

Instructions for old windows without a lock

Opening the frame simultaneously with its tilting

If this happens to you, do not panic. Calmly adjust the sash vertically so that it remains only in rotation mode. In this case, the top hinge should be pressed against the frame.

When making this repair of both fittings and mechanisms of PVC windows, the sashes should be kept completely open. The handle should also be moved to the same position, making it horizontal. If the locking mechanism prevents this, it should be disabled in accordance with the procedure described above. The doors are then closed by turning the handles down. To check the correct operation of the window mechanisms, the position of the handle should be slowly changed, repeating this action several times.

The handle does not turn all the way

First you need to identify the cause of the malfunction. This could be a deformation of the profile, displacement of the strikers, or breakage of the fittings. It is unlikely that you will be able to cope with the deformation on your own, but eliminating the displacement of the slats is quite a feasible task.

Open the window and try turning the handle.
If it moves normally to all positions, then in the closed state the clamps rest against the striker bars and thereby prevent the handle from turning completely.
To find which clamp is not working correctly, unscrew each one one by one. Unscrew one and try to close the window; if that doesn’t work, put it back in place and move on to the next one.
When the clamp is identified, adjust its position (raise it higher or lower by releasing the fastener).

If the handle does not turn in any position of the sash, the reason is most likely in the fitting mechanism. To find which part of it, do the following:

Rotate the handle as far as it goes and look at the position of the trunnions. Since the closure is not complete, the trunnions should also not reach the stop. If one of them nevertheless becomes in the closed position, then this is the problem area, namely the incorrect pairing of the fittings.
We turn the handle to the “open” position and dismantle the problem area.
We remove the connecting elements and move the trunnion to the same position as the trunnions that did not close completely.
We assemble in reverse order.

There may be several problem areas; if this is the case, then we identify each one and eliminate the defect using the method described above.

Features of plastic windows

The fittings and seals of plastic windows need to be changed periodically.
A plastic profile is a complex product; the quality of the window unit depends on its technical characteristics. The thickness of the window frame can be from 5.8 to 8 cm, they come in sizes up to 13 cm, they are equipped with multi-chamber double-glazed windows. Profiles are characterized by the number of air chambers inside, which are located along the entire length.

The design of a plastic window contains the following elements:

frame on which the doors and fittings are secured;
sash - a rotating or folding opening part;
fittings for controlling the opening and fixing of the sashes;
double-glazed window - a product made of two or more glasses, hermetically connected through gaskets.

A metal liner is installed in the profile to stiffen the frame. The number of chambers affects the thermal insulation characteristics of the window.

Replacing the handle

Problems requiring complete replacement are relatively rare. However, sometimes the handle cracks, the plastic chips, breaks due to the exhaustion of its working life, or it needs to be replaced with a mechanism with a lock if, for example, there are small children in the house.

Open the window in swing mode and leave the handle in this position;
Slide the decorative trim and unscrew the two mounting screws;
Remove the screws and remove the handle;

Installation is performed in reverse order.

Breaking

Problem:

The window cannot be closed.

Solution:

careful inspection. If the fittings on the sash or the strikers on the frame are damaged, the only way out of the situation is to completely replace the window fittings.

If the handle is broken, all that remains is to replace it. To do this, remove the decorative trim, under which the bolts are located. These fasteners are unscrewed and the handle is pulled out. To make it easier, you can rock it from side to side. More information about replacing the handle is written in another article.

The hinge is broken

The problem is widespread primarily on large sashes, especially if they are often opened in the swing mode. The entire load, and not a small one at that, falls on the lower hinge and soon its body cracks or, what happens less frequently, the screws break off. The only way out in such situations is replacement.

To make the procedure go faster and all other elements of the window to remain intact, it is better to change the hinge together. The situation can be aggravated by the breakdown of the upper hinge, since the massive sash, with the lower canopy turned out, significantly pulls on the top and often deforms its parts.

Sequencing:

Remove the decorative trim from the hinges;
Open the window slightly in swing mode and partially knock out the supporting axis with a hammer;
A part of the axial mechanism will appear from below, pinch it with pliers and pull down until it is completely removed;
Hold the sash, pull it slightly towards you, then lift it up. This should release the lower support. There is no rigid fixation at the bottom, so you just need to move the sash to the side and remove it from the frame.

Replacing the hinge is done with improvised tools, depending on the type of fastener.

Types of loops

Conventionally, they can be divided into categories:

Where will they be located:
At the bottom.
According to their purpose, they can be:
Folding. They are used on transoms, vents, that is, where you need to tilt part of the window down.
Invoices. There are detachable and non-detachable ones; if they are not hidden under the original linings, they can ruin the appearance.
By production method:
Forged. But these loops can be classified as handmade, and they are made exclusively to order.
Secretive. This is the most common and popular option because they provide thermal protection more than other options. The mechanism is located inside the glass unit, and a flow of cold air cannot pass through it.
Open hinge design. Such a mechanism is usually hidden with plugs to ensure its obvious visibility.

Also, hinges for double-glazed windows can be either adjustable or non-adjustable; the first option will be better: there is always the opportunity to correct them and put the window itself in place.

Bad pressure

Problem:

The window closes, but the sash does not press well to the frame.

Solution 1:

regime change. At the end of the sash there are eccentrics - round or oval parts, similar to a bolt with a large “cap”. Marks are applied to the round eccentrics. In summer mode, the porch is weakened so that air penetrates better into the room. In winter mode, the seal density is maximum. To change the mode, use pliers to turn the eccentric 90 degrees.

Solution 2:

inspect the seals. If the mode is set to maximum pressure, but the sash still does not fit well, the rubber seals may have worn out. This assumption is confirmed by detected cracks in the seal, severe deformations, and loss of elasticity. The solution is to replace it. The elastic band can be pryed off with any tool and pulled out with your fingers. Then the same model or an analogue suitable for a specific profile is bought in the store, the required length is measured, and inserted into the groove. The edges are glued together.