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Product Maintenance Guide

Upvc windows, doors, FSG and conservatories

Thank you for investing in our products. They have all been designed and manufactured to the highest possible standards and are relatively low maintenance. However, in order to retain the smart appearance and ease of operation, a small amount of care and attention is required. Please take a few moments to read through this manual. Following the guidelines will ensure you receive many years of trouble free service.

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Contents Page 3 General Upvc cleaning Page 4 Condensation Page 5 Glass cleaning and Lead Work Page 6 Painted Products FSG (Fascia, soffit and Guttering) Page 7 Handles Page 8 Hardware Page 9 Casement Windows Page 10 Tilt & Turn Windows Page 11 Window Locks Page 12 Door Locks Page 13 Door hinges Page 14 Vertical Sliders Page 15 Patio Sliding Doors Page 16 Conservatories Page 17 Conservatory Roofs Page 18 Composite Doors Page 19 Cleaning products to avoid

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UPVC

The appearance of your frame can be maintained by occasional cleaning. The frequency of this cleaning will depend on atmospheric conditions. If you live in close proximity to an industrial area, road or coastal area, your frames will need cleaning more frequently – at least every couple of months. Under normal conditions cleaning with warm soapy water is sufficient.

Stubborn marks on white frames may be removed by using an approved Upvc Cleaner (available from Tradeglaze Ltd, 16 Bishops Road, Lincoln, LN2 4JZ).

Woodgrain effect foiled finishes should be cleaned with warm soapy water only. Never sand or polish as this will damage the laminated surface. Abrasive cleaners should be avoided as they may alter the finish and stain the laminated surface.

On no account should solvent based cleaners be used as these may seriously affect the profile and gasket.

When cleaning the frames, remove any debris from the drainage slots as any build up of dirt could cause water to accumulate inside the frame and enter the property.

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CONDENSATION Double glazing acts as a heat barrier, and as this means that the inner pane will be closer to the room temperature than single glazing, the risk of condensation is considerably reduced. Other factors, such as inadequate ventilation however may result in some condensation occuring. As modern properties are designed to eliminate draughts, they do not have the natural ventilation that older properties may have. Houses that have cavity wall / loft insulation can become moisture traps. In such cases, condensation is caused by insufficient ventilation. Provided the rooms are heated normally, the solution can generally be found by providing controlled ventilation. In the case of older uninsulated properties the dominant factor is likely to be the indoor temperature. Additional heat or the introduction of localised heat next to the window should cure the problem.

Energy rated glass may in certain cases cause condensation on the outside of the glass. This is not a fault and is simply the glass acclimatising to the surroundings and will clear over a period of time.

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GLASS CLEANING When cleaning the glass, care should be taken not to use objects that have sharpe or hard surfaces as they may damage the gasket and surface of the frame. It is recommended that a soft cloth is used with either water or weak soapy water only.

LEADWORK Your new Upvc product may incorporate leaded designs. It is part of a natural process for new leadwork to oxidise when exposed to rain. This will create white or mottled staining, however, after a few months the oxidisation will be complete and the lead will be dark grey in colour and the mottling and staining should have gone. To clean leaded glass units:

use a soft cloth with either water or a weak soapy water Never use sharpe or hard items as this will damage the soft lead, gasket

or frame Do not use chemicals as they may effect the lead

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PAINTED PRODUCTS (excluding foiled)

You should clean your products when they are first installed using a mild detergent and warm water on all surfaces and a soft cloth or sponge that is free from contaminates. The regularity of cleaning should be determined by the amount of soiling but should ideally be carried out bi-monthly. If you live in a coastal or industrial area, or near major roads, your product will need more frequent cleaning to remove the build up of dirt and pollutants that will cause the colour to appear darker. Careful cleaning of this should return the surfaces to their original appearance. Applying warm water to the surface will help soften the dirt for easier removal.

FASCIA / SOFFIT & GUTTERING Fascia, soffit and guttering should be cleaned the same way as other Upvc products. Guttering should be cleaned out at regular intervals to ensure rain water is able to run freely. This should be carried out at least every 3 months, but if the guttering is close to trees or bushes, more frequent cleaning will be neccessary to ensure that the guttering does not get blocked with leaves and debris.

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WINDOW MAINTENANCE HANDLES Your window handles can be easily maintained by using the following guidelines

To remove dust and grime, wipe all window and door furniture with a

damp soft cloth and then dry off thoroughly.

Handles should be checked periodically to ensure that the screws holding them to the opening part of the window or door are tight.

If window handles are loose, remove the screw cap and tighten the screw using a Phillips type screwdriver. Be careful not to overtighten as this will impair the operation of the mechanism. Door handles can be tightened in the same way, but without the need to remove any screw caps.

Handles should be lubricated between the handle and the fixing rose with a light oil every 6 months. Be careful not to get the oil on the profile

as it might stain the Upvc. It is normal for the part of the handle that you hold to become more loose as time goes by. This does not effect the operation or security as it is just normal wear and tear of the working parts of the handle. This applies to both window and door handles. Manufacturers and suppliers do not guarantee against this and it does not affect the normal operation of the product.

Do not use any cleaning agents on the handles as this might effect the appearance and finish of the product. Only use a damp soft cloth with water or a mild soapy solution .

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HARDWARE

During manufacturing and installation, all neccessary adjustments will have been made to ensure the hardware on your installation functions correctly. However there is a settlement period which could last up to 3 months where further adjustments may be needed. If you experience any issues with the hardware on your installation, we will be happy to arrange for an engineer to come out and correct them free of charge. Regular maintenance of exposed movable mechanical parts will help them to perfom at their best. The application of a lubricant to the hinges, locks and handles will maximise their life. A 3-in-1 or light engineering oil or silicone spray should be used. Please note that we do not recommend WD40 as this can have the affect of thinning the grease within mechanisms which could be detrimental to the operation of the product. Any safety devices such as child restrictors should be checked regularly for correct operation.

If you have any difficulty in carrying out any maintenance or adjustments, please contact us for guidance.

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CASEMENT WINDOWS

The opening sash of a window is hinged with a “friction hinge” (diagram below). As with other hardware, regular maintenance and care will ensure that this mechanism will give you many years of service Hinges should be oiled occasionally using a 3-in1 oil or spray. Adjusting the small screw on the hinge will increase or decrease the friction when opening or closing the sash part of the window. Wipe down the hinge and slider channel occasionally with a light oil applied with a cloth.

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TILT & TURN WINDOWS

If the handle is stiff this can be rectified by loosening the handle screw slightly and re-tightening until satisfactory. Petroleum jelly can be used on all receivers, locking points, guide slots,

striker plates and locking points on the scissor stay (top arm).

Use oil on all guide slots, behind the face plate where the slide moves up

and down, safety catch, top and bottom hinge pins.

Lubricate cover plate on handle and maintain as per the previous

instructions on handle maintenance.

If the sash (opening part of the window) is catching, please contact us as any adjustments need to be carried out by an experienced installer so that the overall security of the window is maintained.

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LOCKS

Espagnolette / Shootbolt Locking Gear Your window lock mechanism can be be easily maintained in the following way: Wipe down the exposed face plate (located on the edge of the opening

part of the window) occasionally with an oiled cloth. Spray all moving parts with a suitable lubricant, either 3-in1 oil or

silicone. The roller/mushroom cam locking points may need adjustment to

increase or decrease the compression of the opening sash to the frame. These cams are eccentric and are adjusted using an allen key.

Oiling Points

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DOOR MAINTENANCE

MULTIPOINT DOOR LOCKS Maintenance of multipoint door locks can be carried out in the following way: Wipe down the exposed face plate (located on the edge of the opening

part of the door) occasionally with an oiled cloth. Spray all moving parts with a suitable 3-in1 oil or silicone spray. The

exposed plate of the lock strip and keep may discolour, this will not affect the operation of the lock.

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DOOR HINGES Adjustment It is possible that the hinge on your door may need adjusting at some point following installation. Due to the door hinge being a moving part, our engineer will come out to carry out any necessary adjustments free of charge within the first 12 months. After this period it is the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain and adjust the hinges. This is however straightforward to do using the following guidelines: adjustment can be made in two directions with a standard 5mm allen

key or a 9mm flat spanner (available from Tradeglaze, 16 Bishops Road, Lincoln, LN2 4JZ). The maximum height adjustment is 4mm.

The hinges require lubricating at regular intervals, It is recommeded that this is carried out every 2 months with either a 3-in-1 oil or a silicone spray.

Please contact the us for guidance if you have any problems with this procedure

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VERTICAL SLIDERS

The only maintenance that is required is the cleaning of the Upvc profile and the lubrication of the handles and lock with a 3-in1 oil or silicone product. Vertical Sliders have a different gasket to seal the openers, this is of a brush- pile type gasket and is guaranteed for a period of 12 months against draughts. Brush-pile type gaskets can compress and become flat if the window is not used regularly. No maintenance is required on the gearing as most of the gearing is concealed within the profile. Under normal conditions, cleaning with warm soapy water is sufficient. Stubborn markes on white frames may be removed by using an approved Upvc cleaner available from Tradeglaze, 16 Bishops Road, Lincoln, LN2 4JZ. Tel 01522 539578.

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PATIO SLIDING DOORS The Upvc should be cleaned in the same way as the window frames, using warm soapy water. If you have any stubborn marks on white profile, then the use of an

approved Upvc cleaner can be used (available from Tradeglaze, 16 Bishops Road, Lincoln, LN2 4JZ. Tel 01522 539578).

The exposed face plate (located on the edge of the opening part of the door) should be wiped down approx. Every 2 months with an oiled cloth.

Spray all moving parts with a suitable lubricant, either 3-in1 oil or a silicone.

It is important that the bottom track is kept clean and free of debris for smooth running. Failure to do this may cause difficulties for the wheels and slider to operate.

Handles should be lubricated along with the locking arm within the handle.

Lubrication points

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CONSERVATORIES

Frames The maintenance of the Upvc frames/profiles on a conservatory is the same as all the Upvc products.

Drainage Slots It is essential that all drainage slots are kept clear of debris or snow as this can cause the water to build up in frames causing water to enter internally. Box Gutter/Guttering As with the drainage slots it is important that any debris or snow is removed as this could cause water to enter internally. If the gutter is close to trees or shrubs, then it is advisable to check weekly for build up. The settling of snow can add weight to guttering and brackets causing breakage and damage which is not covered by the guarantee. To clean the guttering, it is recommended that only warm soapy water is used. This should be carried out every 2 months depending on local conditions

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CONSERVATORY ROOFS Polycarbonate roof panels should be clean regularly using warm soapy water only. Due to the nature of the product, it is normal for the panels to change colour with UV rays. Be careful not to use abrasive cleaning equipment or products as polycarbonate is can scratch easily. To clean a glass roof, it is important that only water is used as the glass has a chemical coating and any soap or chemicals may damage this. The glass should be kept clear of debris and cleaning should be done as needed.

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COMPOSITE DOORS Cleaning The door leaf and frame should be

cleaned monthly with warm soapy water

The door hardware should be cleaned monthly using a clean cloth, warm water and a mild detergent only

Maintenance Hinges and hardware should be lubricated every 6 months using a light

engineering oil Use a Teflon based lubricant on the lock cylinder every 6 months

The hinges can be adjusted in 2 directions, please contact us on 01522 539578 for advice on how to do this

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All our Upvc products are easy to clean and maintain, however care must be taken not to use cleaning products or equipment that could cause abrasion, scratching or staining.

PLEASE DO NOT USE THE FOLLOWING ON YOUR

UPVC INSTALLATION

Abrasive cleaners or scouring pads High pressure or steam cleaners

Bleach White spirit

Cellulose thinners Methylated spirits

Nail varnish removers Adhesives

If you require any further information or advice, please do not hesitate to contact our Head Office on 01522 539578