Replacement old wooden frames new plastic is always a holiday. Yes, the apartment will become a little dirty, strangers will walk, but the owner is in anticipation of the fact that the house will become warmer and quieter. The only problem is that today every day new firms that are engaged in the installation of double-glazed windows appear and disappear. And how to make sure that the craftsmen are doing everything correctly, and the plastic window does not turn into a sieve after a short period of time is a question. Today's article will tell you how to track the work of installers and what to look out for.
Read in the article
- 1 Reasons for the decline in the qualifications of installers
- 2 What can the wrong installation of plastic windows lead to?
- 3 First steps when ordering windows
- 3.1 Double-glazed windows: what could be wrong with them
- 4 The beginning of the installation of a plastic window
- 4.1 The nuances of installing a plastic frame
- 4.2 Installation of the frame in the opening
- 4.3 Foaming gaps: what to look for
- 5 Installation of window sills, slopes and ebb tides
- 6 Adjusting windows
- 7 Finally
Reasons for the decline in the qualifications of installers
More often than not, after a lapse of time, the culprits cannot be found. After all, private firms very often cheat with salaries, which leads to staff turnover, litigation and, as a result, reissuance of documents. The result is a change in the name of the formal owner, the name and the recruitment of new employees (often without qualifications). We are not talking about all, there are a lot of responsible installers of plastic windows. However, the danger of encountering "hack" always remains.
What to do in order to protect yourself from poor-quality installation of plastic windows? Just follow the work of the installers, noticing their mistakes. If they are not critical, then you can just tell the master. If the installers perform work with serious violations, then it is better to refuse their services altogether. For this, it is necessary to conclude a contract with payment upon installation.
What can the wrong installation of plastic windows lead to?
If the work was performed by unqualified specialists, then the owner may subsequently face many problems. And many of them can be called critical. Let's try to figure out what can happen to the window in six months or a year.
- The plastic window will keep the heat worsethan the old wooden one.
- There will be no sound insulation.
- When opened, the sash will sag.
- The window can jam in the open or closed position.
- The frame will bend in an arc.
- Due to the skew, the double-glazed window will burst.
And this is not a complete list of possible problems. This means that total control over the work of installers is necessary.
First steps when ordering windows
After the owner has made an order, measurers come to him. All measurements are carried out on the old windows. If, when ordering, the owner of the apartment is told that all windows are standard and measurements are not needed, you should not contact the company. There can always be nuances.
After a while, ready-made frames are brought, separately from the double-glazed windows. And here the owner should be attentive. The first step is to inspect the frames. The protective film cannot be perfect, but it should not hang in tatters. Frames are inspected for cracks, scratches and other damage. If they are found, it is worth discarding such windows.
Double-glazed windows: what could be wrong with them
Double-glazed windows are also subject to a thorough inspection. It is clear that cracks are a reason to abandon them. But in addition to obvious damage, there may be hidden ones. Condensation, dust, dirt or small insects between the glasses will tell about them. It is also worth inspecting the side parts for flaws. The sealant should be smooth, without tearing.
The beginning of the installation of a plastic window
The installers dismantle the old window, after which they begin to prepare the opening. There should be no dust, dirt, as well as concrete build-ups and other irregularities on the surfaces. After removing all of the above, the surfaces are checked using a level, plumb lines, holes are drilled in them, and plates are attached. It is they who will hold the window until the polyurethane foam hardens. After that, all surfaces of the window opening are carefully primed, and the master proceeds to install a plastic frame, along the perimeter of which a vapor barrier tape is necessarily glued.
The nuances of installing a plastic frame
The owner may think that the frames are too small. The fact is that there is a gap between the walls and the frame itself, at least 2 cm on each side. There is no need to worry here, everything is as it should be. Such voids indicate the correct and qualified work of the measurer. If the frame fits tightly, you need to stop the work of the installers, call the manager and refuse such a window. At the same time, according to the law, the company is obliged to bring and install a new product on the same day. To confirm violations, it is worth taking a photo or video recording.
Related article:
Seal for plastic windows. What functions does it perform, the advantages and disadvantages of products from different materials, step by step DIY replacement instructions with photos and videos, expert recommendations - you will find in our publications.
Installation of the frame in the opening
After the frame is installed in the window opening, the master fixes it to the plates. If the installer decided to drill through the profile to fix the frame, then this is already a gross violation. In such cases, the tightness will be broken, which means that cold air, dust and noise from the street will penetrate inside. A drilled frame is considered unfit for installation. The only acceptable option is to drill the top layer with a larger drill so that the anchor is recessed into the profile. After that, the hole is closed with a cap, which must be glued in.
Foaming gaps: what to look for
When applied, the foam should lie flat, without drips, the layer should not have gaps. This will definitely lead to drafts. The owner should pay attention to the cylinder. If it has a plastic tube on it, then you must immediately tell the installers that work after foaming with such material will not be accepted. The foam should be professional, such a gun is put on a cylinder.
After drying, the foam must be covered from the inside with a vapor barrier tape, glued around the perimeter before starting the installation. On the outside, the foam is protected with a waterproofing tape. These conditions are not always met by careless installers rushing to the next order.
Installation of window sills, slopes and ebb tides
The final stage of window installation is the installation of the window sill, slopes and ebb. Everything is simple with the internal parts - the main thing is that they are installed neatly. There should be no gaps on the sides and at the joints. But the external elements (ebb) should be mounted as tightly as possible. Under no circumstances should water get under them.
Related article:
Ebb for windows: functions, size requirements, materials of manufacture, average prices; how to make and install an ebb tide on your own: step-by-step instructions with photos and videos, expert recommendations.
Adjusting windows
When all the work is completed, the master adjusts the windows so that they close softly, but at the same time fit snugly against the frame. The owner, before signing the acceptance certificate, should open and close the window himself several times. When opening, it should not move or sag. Closing the window will also indicate flaws. It may be a loose fit, or vice versa, the handle will not fully go down, blocking the window.
Related article:
Adjusting plastic windows and doors yourself. It is possible to cope with this task without referring to a specialist. Everything you need to know about the features of the regulation of these structures, we have collected in this material.
Finally
We talked about the main shortcomings that installers can make. If the owner follows the installation, paying attention to them, then there is no doubt that the window will last as long as the manufacturer guarantees. And the main advice: do not try to save money on installation by hiring "hack". As a result, you will have to overpay many times more. It is better to contact a reputable firm with recommendations and spend a little more than after "biting your elbows."
We really hope that our tips will help homeowners and tenants avoid embarrassing mistakes. If you still have questions, you can ask them in the comments below. HouseChief will definitely respond to each of them as soon as possible. There you can also express your personal opinion about the style of presentation and content, which will greatly help the author in correcting the shortcomings, if any.
If you have experience of communicating with careless installers, please share it. It will be very interesting for us and other readers.
Did you like the article? Then don't forget to rate it. And finally, we bring to your attention a short, but rather informative video on the topic of errors when installing plastic windows.
