uPVC Products Care & MaintenanceuPVC windows and uPVC doors & Composite doors have extremely low maintenance requirements.
However, in order to protect your installation and achieve consistent performance it is necessary to fully understand the operation of the various products and the periodic attention necessary. It is recommended that you follow these uPVC maintenance guidelines in the sections below for the products which apply to your installation. |
uPVC Windows
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uPVC Window Frames
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Decorative Glass & Lead Lights
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Tilt & Turn Windows
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Hinges, Handles & Espags
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The faces of uPVC window frames should be cleaned regularly with warm water and a mild liquid detergent. Clean with non-abrasive detergents as abrasive detergents may damage the frames. Internal surfaces of white PVC-may suffer discolouration if exposed to continued cigarette smoke or cooking fumes. Under no circumstances should you employ any chemical cleaning agents or abrasive substances to restore the original colour, as it is possible to harm either the product or glazing gaskets.
As with any new leadwork, when exposed to rain, oxidation occurs which shows as white or mottled staining on the leadwork. When this process is complete the lead will be dark grey in colour and will no longer stain. This process usually takes a few months to complete.
Care should be taken when cleaning where appropriate in order to avoid damaging/removing any decorative product e.g. lead.
Care should be taken when cleaning where appropriate in order to avoid damaging/removing any decorative product e.g. lead.
Friction Hinge Maintenance
To maintain optimum performance of friction hinges, it is recommended that:
a)The hinges, particularly the pivots, sliding shoe and track should be kept free from dirt and debris at all times.
b)The hinges should be regularly cleaned with a silicon spray and the tightness of fixing screws checked.
Should the operation of the opening appear ‘slack’ the situation can be remedied by simply adjusting the pressure of the friction hinges. To achieve this, arrange the vent in the fully open position and locate the small brass screw head housed in the side of the hinge fixed to the main window frame. Turn the screw in a clockwise direction to increase the friction pressure. Both hinges should be adjusted to the same extent in order to maintain the equalised tension.
a)The hinges, particularly the pivots, sliding shoe and track should be kept free from dirt and debris at all times.
b)The hinges should be regularly cleaned with a silicon spray and the tightness of fixing screws checked.
Should the operation of the opening appear ‘slack’ the situation can be remedied by simply adjusting the pressure of the friction hinges. To achieve this, arrange the vent in the fully open position and locate the small brass screw head housed in the side of the hinge fixed to the main window frame. Turn the screw in a clockwise direction to increase the friction pressure. Both hinges should be adjusted to the same extent in order to maintain the equalised tension.
Easy Clean hinges
When fitted with Easy Clean hinges, the opening sash will open to almost 90 degrees for fire escape. From this position the sash can be slid toward the centre for easy clean access. In order to facilitate sliding the sash to the cleaning position a push button situated on the hinge has to be pressed. The window can be realigned by simply closing the side opener.
Push Button Locking Handles
Key locking handles must not be forced open without the key release, otherwise permanent damage will occur. To open the window, turn the key to unlock, push button in, turn handle and push to open. To close, pull window shut, turn handle down, and turn the key to lock.
Espag Maintenance
The espags should be regularly cleaned with a silicon spray and the tightness of fixing screws checked.
Shoot Bolt Locking Espag
It must be clearly understood that windows fitted with shoot bolt locking systems which have a secondary locking position for ventilation are not secure in this position even with the handle locked. Windows must be fully closed and locked for maximum security.
uPVC Doors & Composite Doors
The faces of uPVC & Composite Doors should be cleaned regularly with warm water and a mild liquid detergent. Clean with non-abrasive detergents as abrasive detergents may damage the frames. Internal surfaces of white PVC-may suffer discolouration if exposed to continued cigarette smoke or cooking fumes. Under no circumstances should you employ any chemical cleaning agents or abrasive substances to restore the original colour, as it is possible to harm either the product or glazing gaskets. After washing as instructed, ensure that all accumulated dirt and deposits are flushed out from the various drainage slots situated in the sill of the outer frame. Lubrication of the lock should be achieved with a silicon spray designed for the purpose. This is particularly important where the lock mechanism is exposed to attack from either salt or other chemicals in the local atmosphere. Hinges should be inspected and lubricated from time to time. Make sure to wipe off any surplus in all instances.
Door Hardware
Any painted finish door hardware can be cleaned in the same way as the door.
Gold, Silver, Chrome & Brass hardware must be cleaned with a dry soft cloth only. Spot cleaning of dirt or grime can be carried out periodically. Abrasive liquid or powder cleaners must not be used. This is of particular importance where solid brass hardware is used. (Solid brass hardware will tarnish).
Gold, Silver, Chrome & Brass hardware must be cleaned with a dry soft cloth only. Spot cleaning of dirt or grime can be carried out periodically. Abrasive liquid or powder cleaners must not be used. This is of particular importance where solid brass hardware is used. (Solid brass hardware will tarnish).
Locking & Unlocking uPVC Doors
Multi Point Door LockLocking The DoorLift the handle lever in an upwards direction to throw ALL security bolts, this will engage all bolts into the relevant keep. To deadlock the Multi-point lock turn the key one full turn towards lock; this will secure all the bolts. In this condition the handle cannot be pushed down.
Unlocking The DoorTurn the key one full turn away from lock. This will disengage the deadlocking security. In order to retract the security bolts, push the handle lever in a downwards direction, the door is free to open.
On front doors with pad handles an extra turn of the key towards the lock is required to release the latch and open the door |
French Doors
To unlock the leading door follow instructions as per Residential Doors. The slave door unlocks in the same method to release the top & bottom bolts/rollers.
To lock doors, close slave door first, pull handle upwards to engage top and bottom bolts, then close leading door and lock as per Residential Doors.
French Doors are 'keyed Alike whereby the same key can be used to lock/unlock both the master and slave doors.
To lock doors, close slave door first, pull handle upwards to engage top and bottom bolts, then close leading door and lock as per Residential Doors.
French Doors are 'keyed Alike whereby the same key can be used to lock/unlock both the master and slave doors.
In-Line Sliders (Patio Doors)
The life of the lock cylinder and mechanism can be lengthened by regular lubrication with a silicon spray specifically designed for the purpose. Under no circumstances should the key channel or cylinder core be oiled.
To lock, lower the lever on handle to its fullest extent to engage locks, insert key in cylinder and turn towards the lock until it clicks. The key can then be removed.
To unlock, insert key and turn away from the lock, push lever up to its fullest extent to disengage locking pins. Door will now slide open.
To lock, lower the lever on handle to its fullest extent to engage locks, insert key in cylinder and turn towards the lock until it clicks. The key can then be removed.
To unlock, insert key and turn away from the lock, push lever up to its fullest extent to disengage locking pins. Door will now slide open.
Drainage & Condensation
After a heavy shower of rain, you may find some water laying in the bottom of your door or window frames. This is a normal occurrence and will drain away through the drainage holes in the base or evaporate.
Unfortunately, condensation is a fact of life and wherever there is moisture in the atmosphere and substantially differing temperatures on either side of the glass surface, degrees of condensation will occur. The effect will be directly proportional not only to this temperature variation, but also to the amount of water vapour present.
You can generally expect windows in kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms to be most affected. Double glazing will no doubt, in most cases, reduce condensation but it cannot be claimed to cure the problem. However, one certainty is that double glazing will not cause condensation, provided the air is allowed to circulate within your property.
Unfortunately, condensation is a fact of life and wherever there is moisture in the atmosphere and substantially differing temperatures on either side of the glass surface, degrees of condensation will occur. The effect will be directly proportional not only to this temperature variation, but also to the amount of water vapour present.
You can generally expect windows in kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms to be most affected. Double glazing will no doubt, in most cases, reduce condensation but it cannot be claimed to cure the problem. However, one certainty is that double glazing will not cause condensation, provided the air is allowed to circulate within your property.