How To Check Your Windows For Draughts This Winter
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- Опубліковано 11 лип 2024
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Paddy's DIY - How To Check Your Windows For Draughts This Winter
Another great instructional video brought to you by Paddy's DIY
1. Hinges
To check your hinges, simply open and close the sash a few times. It should open and close smoothly and close tightly against the frame seal. Push against the sash with your other hand as it closes. The hinge should close the sash tightly even with you pushing against it. Do the same for the other hinge. If your hinges don’t close tightly like the window in the video, you will need to replace the hinges.
Link to my video on how to replace the hinges on a uPVC window
• How to replace the hin...
2. Interlock
Staying on the hinge side of the window, check the middle of the sash. On nearly all windows there will be a set of interlocking plastic blocks or wedges. One half will be screwed to the sash, the other half will be screwed to the frame. When the sash closes the two blocks lock against each other and pull the sash tight in the middle of the window. The longer the window the more important these blocks are, as there will be a greater likelihood of the window material flexing.
To test to see if these interlocking blocks are doing their job, simply push against the middle of the sash when it is closed. With these blocks missing or making proper contact with each other the sash can develop a bow at the midpoint, letting a draught come through. A strong wind could also push past the seal at this point.
3. How the sash closes.
This might sound really obvious, but if the sash is not closing squarely in the window frame, it can lead to a draught. This is more of an issue on side hung windows, as they can droop down leaving a gap along the top. A good guide is to use the line of the weld in the sash. The weld of the sash should ideally line up with the corner of the window frame.
Use a pencil to mark where the sash meets the window frame.
4. Window Lock
Next, check how tightly the window closes on the lock side of the window. The vast majority of windows use window espag locks, which are multi-point locks recessed into the sash. The window espag lock has circular rollers locks that lock into metal receivers (keeps) in the window frame. These circular rollers can be adjusted to close the window tighter or loosen it. Insert the correct sized allen key into the roller. Turning one direction will tighten, the other direction will loosen.
Older windows will use cockspur window handles, and will close over plastic wedges fitted to the window frame.
To test how tightly the window is closed, simply open and close the window handle a few times. Pay attention to the seal as you close the window handle. You want the sash to touch the seal and compress against it along the whole length of the lock side. Push against the sash along the handle side, check to see if there is any give when you push against it. As you can see here, this lock is perfect, no give whatsoever.
Adjust the roller locks with an allen key if you want your window to close tighter.
5. Seal
6. Plastering & Window board - Навчання та стиль
![[32] How to fit a window restrictor / child safety catch on a uPVC window](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pK-oxBFvVew/mqdefault.jpg)
![[37] * UPDATED * How to open a locked or broken window handle](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5YQ-vqgk4Qs/mqdefault.jpg)
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Remember clowns to pull the flame away when the paint on the frame starts bubbling. Thanks for the video. Informative.
Thank you so much. Packed with all the relevant info, and great video work so we can see what you are talking about. Fantastic .
This helped me diagnose the problem with my window. It's not exactly the same as the windows shown, but it was close enough. Thank you.
Thorough, informative and really helpful. Thanks for the upload!
Very helpful video - really practical tips. Thanks!
Great video thanks!
Very useful thank you
very helpful thank you
Get a piece of paper. With window open put paper between opening and window frame and close and lock
If you can't pull paper out it's ok
great thank for you advice
amazing video... very helpfull...
Thanks Paddy very helpful
Glad it helped
Very useful and very well presented. I'm no good at DIY but at least I know what needs doing.
However, my windows are around 25 years old. Should I repair or replace?
Superb video
Thanks
Brilliant video and explanation. Really educated me in maintaining my windows.
Question on part that was spoken about but not really explained on resolving. The centre blocks. I checked one of my windows and there is a bow in the middle letting in draft. Both blocks are there but the gap is also there. What needs to be done to rectify this. Many thanks.
You need to move one of them so they end up closer together. At the minute they are not touching. They should touch together and pull the window in at the middle. It's hard to get small adjustments, as you will get the width of a screw hole of movement
Thanks for the video. It's difficult to close my window. What do you suggest. Something is blocking
Cool videos
Great video Paddy, thanks. I have a window where you can see daylight between the sash and the frame (similar to the dropped sash in your video at 6.24) but the gap is at the side.....am I right in thinking the hinges have failed and need replacing to rectify this problem?
Hi Paddy, I've just replaced the hinges on my bathroom bottom-opening window (typical narrow long rectangle type at the top of the overall window). Your video on replacing the hinges was of great help. The sash now closes opens and closes much easier and the large gap at the sides is mostly gone. However, where there was a 10-15mm gap there's now a ~3mm gap on both sides in the lower part where it meets the corner - any idea why there's still a gap and how to fix it? If I use the handle to pull the window toward me there is a little play which then closes the gap.
Hard to know without seeing it. Can you upload pictures using imgbb.com or freeimage.host and send me the link here
Excellent advise however how do I find someone to do the work ?
My windows don't have cam rollers and I want to increase the pressure of my windows. What can I do?
We just purchased new windows that are a Casement/Picture/Casement shape. They are quite tall...62 inches. We noticed that the sash is not connecting tightly to the frame and cold air is coming through the gap. I looked at our interlocking blocks and noticed that we only have one pair of blocks on this rather tall wood window. I then looked at my vinyl casements and noticed that they came with four pairs (total of 8) of interlocking blocks. My thought is that our issue may be not having enough interlocking blocks. How many pairs of interlocking blocks should a 62 inch tall wood casement have in your opinion? Thanks for the great video.
I would get a level on them and check they have been installed plumb
How do you check the double glazing fails.
Thank you for this video.
One question…..for now, many probably to come. 😂
The interlocking blocks. My window has none. Never has. Is there a way to fit them now?
Yeah just screw them on for all the world
Your video was very helpful. I have extreme drafts coming from the apron of my windows. should there be a gap? I was thinking that the apron was used to hide bad workmanship! What size of gap should be under t he e sill?
All comments and advise greatly appreciated.
What do you mean by the apron? That's not a term I'm familiar with.
Hi paddy we have just had fitted some tilt and turn windows but we are finding water on the sill on each corner of the hinge . Window company dont have a clue / never seen this problem before . They have tightened the windows and tried to blame it on condensation as this is a new room . My answer was how come it's not on any sealed window frames. Could you please give me you thoughts .
When does the water appear? How often is it there? After rain? Or every morning?
What is the solution to the problem at 6:24 where the sash has dropped. New hinges?
Not necessarily. The glass may just need re-aligning...
(Moving the glass inside the frame will actually change the position of the frame...!).
First thing to do is remove the plastic trim strips from around the frame (they hold the glass in place).
Note: A wallpaper/paint scraper is ideal to use as a wedge in the gap where the trim meets the outer frame to open the gap. A large screwdriver can then be used to prise the strips out. Start with a long strip first (makes it easier).
You will then see that the glass has plastic spacers at points along the edges. Experiment with moving these as required to close the relevant frame gap.
Should patio doors have interlocking blocks ?
No they are for windows only. The idea of the interlocking blocks is to pull the window in at the mid section of the window. As there is no hinge in the middle. There is usually 3 hinges on a door. The middle hinge should pull it in at the middle. You'll sometimes see bolts that look like interlocking blocks on doors, but these are anti-jemmy devices for security
I’ve got a draft but can’t find where it is coming from
The best thing to check is the cigarette lighter. Check the whole way around the window. A windy day will help also
I wonder if anybody has ever sprayed the entire seam with FLEX SEAL?
My dad would put up plywood over the outside of the windows for the winter. Yeah, we were hillbillies.
You can clean the hinges and the tracks and then oil them and most will work perfectly. You don't have to replace them as a first response. That's not good advice.
If there is a gap at the hinge side when the window closes, then the hinges are broken. No amount of cleaning and oil is going to fix that. If there's no gap then they are not broken. If something isn't broken there's no need to fix it 🙄
try recording higher volume
I never thought i'd hear an Irishman talking about sashes.
It is spelled DRAFT in the USA.
It is spelt DRAUGHT in Ireland 🇮🇪
I would put a safety warning before using a lighter
Warning! Don't set fire to yourself or your window
No, no, no, silicone is a poor insulator. Only expanding foam, not only it insulates better it fills the gaps and is also a better noise insulator and lasts longer. If you go to continental Europe where there are colder winters you will never ever see silicone used as a filler for gaps between walls and windows/door frames. Terrible advice. I find windows in homes of UK and Ireland of really poor quality, of course, there are some exceptions but this is a rule. And silicone everywhere as an insulator... At least 20 years behind Germany or Poland.
So tell me how is Paddy to put expanding foam on a hair line crack of finished plaster. These windows have been installed for years. Its not a new install so expanding foam is not a option here? What would you do here?