A plastic window is not only a product, but also a mechanism that gradually wears out and loses its original capabilities. This is mainly due to the fact that the weight of the window sash is quite large, and the fittings and mechanisms have finite strength, and over time they become unusable during use.
For these reasons, as a result of operation, gaps appear where they should not exist, distortions, subsidence and other malfunctions occur. All this leads to the fact that the window sash handle does not take a vertical position when closing until quite serious force is applied to it.
How to eliminate incomplete closing of a window?
If such a situation arises, then it is necessary to adjust the window. If the window handle is not completely closed, the seal is not tightly pressed to the frame, as a result of which cold street air penetrates into the room. Also, under the influence of regular and heavy loads, the handle may break, but replacing it with a new one will not solve the problem.
It is necessary to understand why this happens.After all, when the window sash is open and the tongue is pressed, turning the handle to the closed position occurs without any resistance. The lock mechanism functions without restrictions, and installing the handle in a vertical position does not cause any problems.
How to proceed further with such a picture of a window malfunction? First, let's remember how the rack and pinion mechanism of the lock activates the pins, which, when the lock is closed, rise and go beyond the stops. The sash pressure is regulated by these trunnions. We must not forget that all trunnions must be in the same position.
On the back side of the window sash there is also the same pin, but when closing the window with the handle it does not rise, but falls down. If we assume that the window sags over time, that is, it falls down under its considerable weight, this leads to the fact that the front trunnions barely reach the stops, not providing the necessary pressure, and the rear ones, on the contrary, go too deep beyond the stop. Hence the excessive force when trying to bring the handle to a vertical position. At the same time, we also lift the window sash using the handle, trying to put it in the correct position.
It is clear that no handle can withstand such great efforts. Solving the existing problem is not so difficult. To do this, use the vertical screw of the lower hinge to adjust the sash vertically, i.e., lift it up a little. In order not to overdo it, turn the screw half a turn and try to close the sash. And so on until the sash is in its normal position.
You should also make sure that the stops are securely fastened and, if necessary, tighten them.
If the lock mechanism continues to work tightly when closing and the handle turns vertically downwards with difficulty, then the problem is not in the mechanism, but in the window sash, which has become warped under its own weight or for other reasons.
At the same time, the window sash loses its original rectangular shape, and since the lock mechanism is rack and pinion, the slats to the rear axle pass along the perimeter and the force from the handle is transmitted through 2 corners, one of which, as a result of deformation, has become more than 90 degrees, and the other less than 90 degrees . For this reason, the rack jams.
We solve this problem as follows. At the bottom of the window sash there is a bar with a groove. Slightly loosen the screw that secures the bar. Press the tongue and turn the handle down to the vertical position.
The handle should turn easily. Leaving the handle in this position, tighten the self-tapping screw, fixing the bar in the new position.
