A customer in Walton-on-Thames called about several window issues and asked me to visit and provide a quote for the repairs. After asking for some details, I gave him a rough quote over the phone. He agreed, so the next step was to inspect the windows on site.
A couple of the windows needed new hinges, while a few only needed their handles tightened. All of the mechanisms and hinges also needed lubricating, as the windows had become quite hard to operate.
Once the final quote was approved, I got to work. I managed to source the exact hinges, so fitting them was not overly complicated, which is always a bonus when dealing with heavy windows. I also tightened the handles and carried out an overall check and lubrication of the remaining windows.
Window hinges do not necessarily need to break before they need replacing. A significant gap between the window and frame when it is shut can indicate that the hinges are failing. Draughts or curtains moving in the breeze, with no ghost in sight, can be another sign.
When the hinges are not working properly and the window does not close correctly, the mechanism is placed under more tension than it should be. Although it may seem that the handle is starting to break because the window is becoming harder to close, the underlying problem could be elsewhere.
As preventative maintenance, it is worth lubricating any parts where metal rubs against metal at least twice a year.
