Now you can hardly find houses withoutplastic windows, and in new buildings the double-glazed windows come complete with the apartment. And it's not a secret for anyone that the quality of these products leaves much to be desired. Many developers are more economical to install instead of really good windows cheap analogs with less quality fittings and seals. Therefore, many new settlers already the next winter, the question arises about how to change the seal on plastic windows. In this we will try to understand this material.
Reasons to replace
Sooner or later, any product or equipmentcan break down, this problem also applies to seals for plastic windows. This can be accompanied by a number of reasons: violation of the installation rules, improper operation and maintenance, or the seal itself is of poor quality.
Seals depend on the tightness of closed doors and windows, as well as protection from cold, heat, noise and dust. Therefore, the main signs for replacing seals are:
- In winter, on the inside of the window, ice forms, that is, the window freezes.
- The appearance of condensation on the glass.
- The appearance of drafts and the presence of dust on the windowsill (in summer) with the window shutter closed.
- Increased sound permeability from the street side.
- Visible damage to the seals themselves: various cracks, cuts, breakouts or falling out of the grooves.
And whether it is necessary to change?
Sometimes, in the presence of one or morethe above-described features, the replacement of the seal in plastic windows is not required at all. But this is only if the seal itself is in good condition, that is, without visible damage. Usually the following helps:
- Регулировка/настройка профиля пластикового окна.Modern designs have two closing modes: summer and winter (with a more tight pressure of the leaf to the frame of the window). Well, those who do not have this option, it is recommended to carry out the adjustment, at least once a year. And the first time this should be done by the installer of the plastic window.
- Может помочь (при незначительных микротрещинах) application of silicone grease. This will not only eliminate the microcracks, but also give the sealant elasticity. Lubricate must be strictly at plus temperature. Generally, you need to process the sealer with a certain periodicity, but more about this later.
If the above does not help and the problems continue, only the replacement of the sealant will help.
Types of seals
Seals for plastic windows can be longto divide by place of destination (frame, curved) or in appearance (chamber, petal), but the main criterion of choice is still the material from which the product is made.
- ТЭП или термоэластополимер.The most commonly used sealant (mainly by the manufacturers), but not because of the quality of the material, but because of its relative cheapness and ease of installation. Also, the pluses include good resistance to mechanical stresses with repeated opening and closing the window. Cons - poorly tolerates temperature changes: it becomes brittle in strong cold and too soft in the heat. Not resistant to ultraviolet radiation.
- EPDM or ethylene-propylene rubber.It is characterized by high resistance to temperature changes (from -60 to +120 degrees), does not undergo ultraviolet radiation. Rather not cheap seal, but taking into account the service life of up to 20 years, its use is justified.
- Silicone gaskets.Combine all the advantages of other types: excellent resistance to extreme heat and frost, increased elasticity of the material (with frequent and tight closures, it is practically not erased). The best choice, although the most expensive.
- Rubber seals for plastic windows alsowidely used by both consumers and manufacturers. Basically, of course, because of its low cost. The product, although it has good sealing, but can crack with sharp and often recurring temperature changes.
Recommendations for selection
Following simple recommendations, you can protect yourself from buying an unsuitable or defective product, and, therefore, avoid unnecessary time and money.
- It is recommended to buy exactly the kind of seal that was installed by the manufacturer - both in shape and thickness. The product of another manufacturer you just do not fit.
- It would be superfluous to bring along a piece of old sealant to facilitate the search.
- Get the sealer of the required length to avoid unnecessary joints. Ideally, the joint should be one.
- It is believed that the chamber-type sealer is better than the petal products. But this is very conditional, since many worthy manufacturers successfully use both types of seals.
- Do not choose a product by color, since this criterion does not affect its quality characteristics in any way.
- When choosing, be sure to consider what the sealant is made of, since each material has its own specific characteristics.
Preparation
Before replacing rubber seals in plastic windows (as, indeed, any other seals), you need to prepare these same windows by performing simple steps:
- First you need to remove the leaf from the frame, as this will greatly facilitate the preparation and installation of the seal.
- Next, you need to pull out the old seals and clean the windows of dirt and dust.
- It is necessary to degrease the surface of the grooves, using white spirit or regular alcohol.
You also need to prepare the necessary tools and material:
- Scissors for cutting the seal.
- The seal itself.
- Adhesive for rubber. For the joint, you can use superglue.
Mounting of the sealant
Once the training is completed, it's timeproceed with the installation of silicone seals for plastic windows (or any other products). This is a fairly easy process that does not require super-strength.
Начинать монтаж лучше с верхней части створки, approximately from the middle or the corner. We put the sealant to the groove and press it down with your finger (depending on the material of the product, the force of pressing can be different). We pass so on the entire perimeter of the leaf, evenly inserting the seal. Having reached the beginning of laying, it is necessary to cut it as close as possible to the other end.
In order to glue the joint, it is necessarypull the ends out of the groove and apply glue to the seal of the seal. Then reinsert the rubber bands in place and press them lightly. It is important to apply the adhesive to the foot, not to the body of the sealant. In the same way, the sealant changes on the frame.
It is important to insert the sealer with the right side, otherwise there will be no meaning from the work done. The side of the insert can be determined by looking at how the old seal is inserted.
Pledge of a long service
Careful care is the guarantee of a long service not only for the sealant, but for the entire window as a whole. Therefore, it is necessary to perform the following actions at least once a year (and preferably twice in the spring and in the autumn):
- Wipe the profile and sealant with a soft sponge or cloth using a detergent (without solids).
- Also, clean the dirt between the seal and the frame.
- After drying, it is necessary to treat the seal with special grease on a silicone base.
- It is necessary to wipe and lubricate all the hardware mechanisms.
It would be superfluous to purchase a special set for the care of plastic windows
Conclusion
Regardless of which sealant for plastic windows you use, it is important to remember some rules:
- Replace the sealer better after adjusting the hardware.
- It is recommended to change the sealant both on the frame and on the leaf. Do not change the seal in part (chunks).
- Do not stretch or tighten the seal during installation, especially at corners.
- To avoid divergence of joints, always glue them with glue.
- Use the sealant for the purpose, that is, the frame is installed in the frame, and on the leaf - the curtain seal.
