How to care for plastic windows at home?

Modern PVC windows are reliable, practical, perfectly protect the room from noise and cold air penetration and seem durable. However, in order for the structure to serve “faithfully” for many years, it is necessary to timely and competently care for plastic windows. Moreover, it is necessary not only to carefully monitor the cleanliness of the glass, but also to lubricate the metal parts of the fittings, clean the rubber seal from stubborn dirt, free the drainage holes from dust and small debris, and thoroughly rinse the mesh.

PVC window maintenance products

Any window is usually washed at least once every six months, with the onset of spring or autumn. Plastic construction is no exception. Before starting work, you need to stock up on suitable cleaning products.

Specialized glass aerosols, which are sold at any hardware store, are excellent for cleaning glass units.

You can make a cleaning solution from ingredients available around the house. To do this, dissolve 1 tbsp in 1 liter of warm water. l. liquid soap and the same amount of alcohol or vinegar.

You can wash a plastic profile with a regular sponge, soak it in soap suds, or use a special plastic care product. Do not use solvents or other aggressive substances, iron brushes, or powders containing abrasives. They may leave yellow spots and scratches on the frame and window sills.

Rubber seals are treated with substances containing silicone or glycerin.

The fittings are lubricated with high-quality technical oils without adding salts and acids. Solid oil, Vaseline or technical oil with silicone are excellent for these purposes. At home, craftsmen recommend using WD-40. You can use care products for metal parts from a kit designed for servicing plastic windows. Typically, such goods are sold in companies engaged in the production and installation of PVC windows.

PVC profile care

Specialists producing plastic structures unanimously declare that the profile does not require special care. “In particular” does not mean “in any way”. The outer side of the window frame suffers from natural pollution: dust, snow, rain. Inside the room, dust also remains on the window, cobwebs form, and traces of flower pots appear on the windowsill. All these contaminants must be carefully removed without scratching the plastic surface. If chips and deep cracks have formed on the plastic for any reason, they must be covered with special glue or use various options for resolving the issue - how to remove scratches from plastic.

All plastic windows have drainage, which is important to take care of in a timely manner. These holes are made specifically to remove moisture formed on the glass and are located in the lower part of the structure, under the sash. If you do not periodically clean the drainage, the holes will become clogged with dirt flowing from the glass, and the windows will begin to fog up.

It is better to clean the drainage holes with a toothbrush or brush. The frequency of cleaning is usually related to the location of the home.If there is a busy highway near the house, then you will have to clean the drainage every month.

Double-glazed windows maintenance

Double-glazed windows in PVC windows are washed like any other glass. The main thing is to use only soft materials for cleaning so as not to scratch the glass surface. Do not scrape glass with a knife or other sharp objects. If paint or glue gets on the glass unit during operation, to remove stains it is necessary to use a product specifically designed for this purpose, avoiding acetone or kerosene. A double-glazed window is a fragile structure; it is afraid of impacts and other mechanical influences.

How to clean rubber seals?

Rubber seal is an important component of plastic windows. It ensures the tightness of the structure. Typically, rubber gaskets are made of rubber (EPDM) and are painted dark gray. The rubber bands installed around the entire perimeter of the frames and sashes require cleaning every six months.

It happens like this:

1. the seal must be washed with soapy water;
2. treat with a product containing silicone or glycerin.

The use of solvents is strictly prohibited! If the rubber is cracked and the gaskets have lost their elasticity, it is better to replace them. With proper care, this occurs no earlier than five years after installing the windows.

Not long ago, products with seals containing thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) appeared on the plastic window market. They last much longer, although they do not require careful maintenance.

How to properly lubricate fittings?

The fittings installed in the plastic window make the use of the structure as convenient as possible.With its help, window sashes are tilted, rotated and fixed in a certain position, additional ventilation can be arranged, and the sashes can be protected from sagging. With proper care, high-quality fittings for PVC windows last for more than ten years, providing warmth and comfort in the home.

Here are simple rules for caring for plastic fittings:

• When cleaning windows, you need to remove dust and dirt from metal parts. To do this, use a soft sponge and soap solution. Remove dirt from hard-to-reach places with a brush or vacuum cleaner.
• Metal parts of the structure should be lubricated at least twice a year.
• Lubricants must not contain resin.

The lubricant must be applied very carefully, avoiding contact with the rubber seal, as this can damage it. All places where metal parts come into contact must be thoroughly lubricated: bolts, fastenings and brackets, latches, hinges, handle mechanism. In addition, oil must be poured into all technical holes and distributed evenly around the perimeter of the structure. After this, to evenly distribute the lubricant, you need to close and open the sash several times. After making sure that all parts have received their portion of the lubricant, the remaining oil is removed with a piece of dry cotton cloth.

Mosquito net care

At the customer's request, plastic windows can be equipped with a mosquito net. This addition is mainly relevant for dachas and country houses, where in the summer there are a lot of mosquitoes, midges, flies and other flying insects.

If you properly care for your mosquito net, it will last for many years.Periodically, the mesh must be pulled out and washed from street dust that has clogged into the cells using a soft brush dipped in a soap solution. You can rinse the grille in the shower.

With the onset of autumn, mosquito nets are removed, washed and stored in a utility room, where they will be reliably protected from frost and bird attacks.

Consequences of illiterate care

The rules for maintaining plastic windows are very simple; most consumers can follow them. If you do not follow the advice of professionals, the windows will quickly lose their respectable appearance. The rubber seal will crack and rupture. Cold air will flow into the resulting cracks and noise will be heard from the street. The fittings will become loose and fail. It will take a lot of effort to close the transom.

Some breakdowns can be repaired quickly and without much expense. For example, replace the handle or glue a new rubber seal. But in most cases, you have to replace the entire window, since it is difficult to find new parts to replace worn ones.

Proper maintenance of plastic windows is the key to their longevity. If you pay attention to the care of PVC windows at least once every six months, you can enjoy the comfort and coziness of your home for several decades.