What to do if a window is jammed?

If a plastic window does not close, the problem cannot be ignored. If in summer this only threatens with slight discomfort, then in winter drafts are a real danger. The house becomes cold, which can cause batteries and electrical appliances to fail. We'll figure out how to diagnose and fix simple problems, and when to call a professional.

A properly functioning window is one of the components of a good microclimate in the house Source svetokna.ru

The window does not open - reasons

To find out how to open a plastic window if it jams when opening, you should determine what led to this situation. There are several reasons that prevent the sash from opening freely. Problems can be caused either by faulty fittings or by deformation of the window frame. Each type of breakdown has its own individual signs that will tell owners what to do.

Handle rotates freely

Often when you try to open a window, the handle rotates in all directions, but nothing happens. In this case, you need to consider 2 possible options:

The handle moves freely and silently both clockwise and counterclockwise, but does not transmit commands to the fittings. This indicates its breakdown - most often the problem is provoked by a cracked case that has ceased to fix the metal pin. Such a malfunction can be eliminated independently by replacing it.
The handle is working, but the commands do not reach the eccentrics that lock the sash. This means that the transmission mechanism - the gearbox - has failed. Such a breakdown is usually accompanied by a characteristic noise: creaking and even metallic crackling. You won’t be able to fix the problem on your own if you don’t have practical skills, so you need to immediately call a technician.

If such malfunctions are detected, no other measures should be taken, since all other actions can cause more serious damage.

The handle is jammed

If the handle of a plastic window is stuck in the closed position and it is impossible to turn it either to the right or to the left, you should immediately call a specialist. Under no circumstances should you try to pry the sash and try to find out for yourself what exactly is broken. Most likely the problem is in one of the knots of the strapping device, but only a master should determine this. The handle can also get jammed due to an incorrectly working lock, which slips when the sash is closed. In order to get to any mechanisms in this case, you need to remove the glass unit and press the sash. Without professional skills, you can ruin something, so it is categorically not recommended to try to save on a visit to a specialist.

The sash is sagging or deformed

The window may be difficult to open because the sash profile clings to the frame or impost. This process is sometimes accompanied by clicks and sometimes even crackling sounds. The opening procedure requires additional effort. The previous performance characteristics of the structure can only be restored by adjusting the hinges. Such repairs do not require the involvement of a specialist and are usually carried out on their own. To avoid mistakes, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the correct adjustment sequence in the review on WindowsTrade.

Friction and possible jamming of the window also occur due to incorrectly selected hinges or violation of manufacturing technologies when the permissible weight of the sashes is exceeded. In such cases, no adjustment will help, since the problem is of a different nature. It can be eliminated by reinstalling the hinges or simplifying the structure by replacing a double-chamber double-glazed window with a single-chamber one with a selective coating.

A similar situation is possible when the sash is skewed, so it is necessary to distinguish between both types of damage. The problem can only be resolved with the involvement of a specialist. Most often, such repairs are performed on site.

Prevention of malfunctions of plastic windows

To extend the service life of a plastic window, periodic maintenance should be carried out. Be sure to lubricate all parts of the locking mechanisms. Likewise, the adjustment of the sashes plays a rather important role: it increases the durability of the rubber bands that ensure tight closure, and reduces the risk of having to repair the fittings of plastic windows.

Before carrying out periodic preventive maintenance, you should study the technical documentation of plastic products and their locking mechanisms as carefully as possible, so as not to aggravate malfunctions instead of preventing them.

These beads hold the glass unit in the frame

The nuances of repairing or replacing accessories

Most often, parts of window fittings that have become unusable cannot be repaired and require replacement. In this case, it is very important to pay attention to the weight of the window sash itself - this will be decisive when purchasing hinges or a locking mechanism. The fittings may fit perfectly in size, but if they are designed for less weight, such a replacement will not be of any use.

The design of the window is also important - it determines which parts will fit and which will not.

Important information! If replacing a tilt-and-turn mechanism for a plastic window is not urgent and you can get by with adjustments, do not rush into purchasing. The later the repair is made, the longer the spare parts will last. It should be understood that original parts very often turn out to be of much higher quality than those purchased separately.

Made-to-order double-glazed windows are more expensive, but they are made exclusively according to the customer’s dimensions.

Lubricating parts of the locking mechanism and hinges

It is most convenient to lubricate the locking and tilt-and-turn mechanisms of plastic windows with special spray lubricants, the range of which is quite wide on store shelves. Such sprays penetrate perfectly between moving and rubbing parts. It is recommended to carry out this work at least two to three times a year.

But at least once a year it is necessary not only to lubricate, but also to clean the mechanisms from the old substance. It is where all the dirt and dust collects, which over time renders the parts unusable. But before carrying out such work, it is necessary to study the device in detail, which is quite complex and if subsequent installation is incorrect, it will simply stop working.

All mechanisms should be lubricated periodically

The window does not close - reasons and solution

The nature of these malfunctions is in many ways similar to the problems that arise when opening the doors. They are solved in a similar way, but there are additional nuances that you need to know about.

Jamming of the blocker

In the case of open windows, the issue with the blocker is easier to solve, since there is access to it. The mentioned device is a spring-loaded mechanism and is located on the inner edge of the active leaf. How to troubleshoot problems depends on their nature:

Haste when closing the sash
- such actions often lead to the handle being blocked. Moreover, the window itself may be completely serviceable, so restoring the functionality of a jammed mechanism will not be difficult. In this case, before closing the plastic window, if the sash is jammed, you should first press the lock and then turn the handle.
The blocker slips past the mating part, as a result of which the handle remains inoperative
- it cannot be turned. This mainly occurs due to imbalance of the hinge group or deformation of the sash. If the handle is stuck in the open position, the opening mechanisms must be adjusted to resume correct operation. It may also be necessary to return the skewed sash to its correct rectangular shape.
The locking element has bent
- this can also cause the handle to jam. To restore its functions, you need to press the plate towards the street.
The springs of the locks fail
- such a breakdown can at any time cause the sash to jam. If a faulty spring is detected, the lock must be replaced immediately.

When you can’t quickly fix the problem on your own, it’s best to remove the blocker altogether. To dismantle the device, it is enough to unscrew one or two screws. You can install a new blocker yourself or invite a specialist.

Foreign objects getting into the fittings

The window opening mechanism may become clogged with debris, which prevents the sash from closing. Mostly, such problems are encountered after repairs, if the necessary measures have not been taken to protect the fittings. In this case, frozen building mixtures (cement, putty) or small pebbles interfere with the normal movement of the locking eccentrics. Moreover, even the gearbox can become clogged with debris. To resume normal operation of the window, it is recommended to remove construction dust and crumbs with a vacuum cleaner, and then wipe with a napkin and lubricate the fittings. If this does not help, you will most likely have to disassemble and clean the gearbox. In this case, it is better to call a specialist.

Skewed slot ventilation strip

If the sash sag or the screws loosen, the counter strip of the slot ventilation device may prevent the sash from closing in the upper zone of the light opening. In this case, you need to adjust the position of this element or tighten the screws. To make it easier to find the correct position, the strike plates have oval holes for screws, which allow you to move the element a few millimeters without unscrewing. If attempts to adjust the bar yourself are unsuccessful, it is better to remove it, close the sash and call a specialist.

Elimination of pins jamming on clamps on the frame

We determine which clamp the trunnion rests on.
To do this, remove one clamp at a time and check whether the handle is stuck or is already scrolling. If, after removing the next clamp, the handle began to turn without jamming, then that was the problem. There are two ways to fix the problem:

If the clamp was initially installed poorly on the profile, screw it lower or higher than the original position;

If the reason is not installation, but sagging of the sash (90% of cases), we adjust the position of the sash in the desired plane.

By the way, in some cases you can do without rearranging the clamps on the profile or without adjusting the position of the sash. To do this, just adjust the clamping eccentric on the trunnion.

We look at the eccentric located near the problematic clamp. If it is turned horizontally, then we try to set it in a vertical position, in the so-called “summer mode”. After this we try to close the sash.

The window is stuck in two positions - double opening

This situation is typical for tilt-and-turn windows. If you are not careful when opening/closing the sash or moving it from one position to another, it can both recline and swing open at the same time. In this case, the illusion is created that the sash is supported by only one hinge. In fact, it is held at the top by scissors, so there is no need to panic. To solve this problem you need to follow simple steps in the correct sequence:

The sagging part of the sash, which is located at the top, should be carefully pressed against the frame. It is best to apply pressing force in the immediate vicinity of the loop.
Find the erroneous action blocker on the side edge of the sash on the handle side and press it firmly with your finger.
While holding the lock, turn the handle up until it stops.
If the handle remains in place, you need to press harder on the lock.
After turning the handle up, you will need to press the sash all the way in the area of the scissor hinge.
Return the handle to the horizontal position.
Close a window.

To avoid simultaneous tilting of the sash, do not turn the handle on the sash that is not fully pressed to the frame. This most often happens when windows are closed in a hurry.

Features and technical indicators of PVC windows

The concept of a plastic window is not entirely correct, since metal-plastic is used for their manufacture, i.e.
the windows are reinforced to create rigidity of the frame structure. A plastic window means it is made of polyvinyl chloride. This is an artificial material that is obtained from natural raw materials. This material can be found everywhere; it is used to make housings for household appliances, toys, dishes, and packaging.

Russian manufacturers of plastic windows (99% of Russian companies on the window market) have certificates of quality and compliance with technical standards and regulations.

Window jammed in ventilation mode

If the tilted flap does not close in ventilation mode, the problem is most likely due to jammed scissors. Problems in the operation of this practically trouble-free element of the fittings mainly arise due to the fact that they forget to lubricate it. Sooner or later, carelessness leads to a noticeable difficulty in the reverse movement of the sash. To solve the problem, just clean the scissors with a vacuum cleaner and wipe them with a soft cloth, and then lubricate them. For these purposes you can use:

regular machine oil;
professional sprays for window fittings.

More often you have machine oil on hand, but a spray is preferable. It does not leave greasy, dirty marks, is evenly distributed over the metal surface and ensures better sliding of individual hardware elements. In addition, machine oil that gets on the elastic sealing contours can damage them.

Warping or sagging of the window sash

Over time, even a properly installed window loses its thermal insulation characteristics. This is often due to misalignment or sagging of the sash, which leads to the formation of cracks along the entire perimeter of the frame. And if the upper corner has moved away, this will also not allow the sash to be placed in the correct position.

To eliminate this problem, the angle of the sash and the correct position of the hinges are adjusted. You can repair a window as follows:

Decorative trims are dismantled to gain access to the adjusting screws in the window hinges. The holes are made for a hex screwdriver or a star key.
Using the selected tool, the screws are adjusted clockwise by 1-3 mm in order to correctly adjust the window sash.
Next, the window is checked for opening and closing to ensure that the sash is not skewing or sagging. Decorative overlays are installed in their place.

When ventilating the window, the handle jammed

In some cases, problems arise not when closing, but when opening the sash for ventilation. Moreover, the difficulties are associated precisely with turning the handle, which gets stuck halfway to the top position. This jamming is explained by the fact that the window was closed in a hurry after ventilation, without fully pressing the sash. Basically, this happens with fittings that have been in use for several years and are already partially worn out. As a result of such actions, after turning the handle incompletely, the window opens slightly at the top, but does not go any further. This type of problem can also be quickly resolved on your own. When the handle of a plastic window is jammed in ventilation mode, you need to involve a technician. Moreover, you will have to call a specialist even if you managed to solve the problem with tilting the sash on your own. After all, such behavior of the fittings indicates its incorrect operation and requires a professional inspection of all the components of the opening mechanism.

Crevices

Gaps in plastic windows appear due to wear of the seal. There may be factory defects that will manifest themselves immediately or after several years of operation. It is important to understand why a plastic window does not close completely - in the first case, repairs are possible, but in the second, a complete replacement is needed. To understand this, you need to examine the place where the sash comes into contact with the frame.

Methods for detecting cracks in a window:

By hand. Near those places where there are cracks, the skin will feel a breeze and cold. The method only works in winter; in warm weather it is ineffective.
With a sheet of paper. This test determines the tightness of the sash. If the paper comes out easily, the window is not closed tightly.
With the help of a candle. Where it blows, the candle flame will deviate.
By humidity. Moisture from the air in the room always condenses around the cracks. In autumn these are small droplets, in winter they are ice.

Balcony door jammed

Door blocks are structurally slightly different from window blocks. Their opening mechanisms are supplemented with a special latch, so other methods are used to eliminate the malfunction. If the balcony door is jammed, you need to check this element of the hardware first. However, for inspection you will first need to open the sash. To open a door stuck in a light opening, you will need:

Turn the handle to a strictly horizontal position.
Using the base of the handle, slightly lift the sash.
Pull the raised door towards you.

When opening the sash in this way, you need to be careful not to damage the balcony block. This method of opening is not only inconvenient, but is also only allowed in extreme cases. Regular use will cause more serious damage, so you must immediately adjust the latch. This procedure is performed in several stages:

Using a Phillips screwdriver, unscrew the screws on the counter plate halfway.
The latch is lowered a few millimeters so that its center coincides with the middle of the pin attached to the door leaf.
The strike plate is fixed in a new place.

Changing the location of the latch temporarily and partially solves the problem that may be caused by sagging sash. The canvas may soon drop even lower. This will cause the sash profile to cling to the door frame.

To prevent the plastic balcony door from jamming again, it is recommended to call a specialist to adjust it. The specialist will give the door the correct position and check whether the installed hinges are designed to support the weight of the door.

Blocking the drainage strip - what does it mean?

Such a malfunction does not require any special knowledge or skills to correct it. What to do if the plastic window does not close for this reason? The answer is very simple: you need to open the sash and simply adjust the ebb so that it does not interfere.

Competent specialists perform the work very carefully

What to do if the windows are jammed due to the opening being skewed

This type of breakdown can only be determined by a specialist. In critical situations, such malfunctions are signaled by cracked double-glazed windows or a deformed profile. In most cases, this problem can only be solved by installing new windows. Most often, with minor distortions of the openings, the sashes jam only when the dimensions are incorrectly determined and the windows are made with large dimensions. To avoid such breakdowns, during the manufacture and installation of windows it is necessary to strictly comply with the technologies and requirements of GOSTs.

What to do to prevent windows from jamming

It is impossible to completely eliminate the likelihood of breakdowns, but reducing their number is within the power of every window owner. The best prevention is regular maintenance of the opening mechanisms. You can perform such procedures yourself. They do not require special tools or materials that are not commercially available. OknaTrade has published detailed material on how to take care of fittings. Practical recommendations from this article will help to avoid not only jamming of the sashes, but also many other breakdowns. In addition, during operation the following precautions should be observed:

do not leave windows open in strong winds to avoid strong impacts;
do not turn the handles until the sash is pressed tightly against the frame;
do not rush and do not open the window until the handle is installed in the correct position;
Do not use excessive force when closing/opening the doors.

Compliance with these simple rules will significantly extend the life of windows without major repairs or replacement of components. After all, the cause of many breakdowns is careless handling of profile structures. Some faults that cause windows to open incorrectly can be eliminated yourself, while others can only be eliminated with the help of a specialist. However, in any case, if there are problems with the operation of the fittings, in the foreseeable future you will need to call a specialist. After all, a minor malfunction may in fact be the initial sign of a major breakdown, and only a professional can determine this.

Even when the operation of a window or door unit is quickly restored on your own, it is recommended to conduct an expert inspection of the structures to identify all hidden faults.

Summarizing

Surely it became clear to everyone that it is better to carry out periodic maintenance yourself than to face serious problems that require the help of a specialist. After all, if you follow all the instructions specified in the technical documentation, adjustment and lubrication will not cause any particular difficulties. But the fact that these actions significantly extend the service life of windows is an indisputable fact.

Seals sometimes have to be replaced

We hope that the information presented was useful to our dear reader. If you have questions, you can always ask them in the discussions.