Why does it blow from plastic balcony doors? What to do? Possible causes and ways to eliminate them. What to do if a pvc balcony door sags How to adjust a plastic door so it doesn’t blow

Plastic windows have long been firmly established in almost every home. Along with windows, it has become popular to glaze the exit to the balcony, and accordingly the concept of a plastic balcony door has appeared. I must say that it is reliable and beautiful balcony block is only the first few years.

Photo 1. Balcony block

Problems with balcony blocks

The whole problem with these designs is that over time the plastic door sags. And this is not surprising, because it is a fairly heavy structure. Of course, the fittings used on balcony doors are designed for such loads, but nevertheless you need to monitor them. If you let things take their course, it will gradually blow through the cracks formed during the sagging process. In this regard, it would be useful to find out what to do in this case.

Procedure

To resolve the problem, you can call a specialist from any company that deals with installation plastic windows. In this case, you will have to wait a few days for him, since they have working hours, and also pay for this service. There is another option. You can do everything yourself.


Photo 2. Instructions

Photo 2 clearly shows the entire operating procedure. Using one or another pressure lever, you yourself will eliminate the gap through which the wind blows.

Prevention of sagging

Your balcony door will sag sooner or later, however, adhering to some simple rules, you can delay this unpleasant moment. Since all problems begin from the fact that the fittings cannot withstand the weight of plastic and double-glazed windows, it is advisable not to tilt the door for a long time. If you want to ventilate the room, then open the window, because it is much easier. Lubricate and tighten periodically all moving parts of the fittings. Such simple prevention will increase the service life of your balcony block.


Photo 3. Folding mechanism

Independent debugging of fittings

To save money and time, it is better to master do-it-yourself repair loops If there is a draft in the door or it does not close tightly, the following procedure is recommended:

  • Understand what the problem is. It's very easy to do. Open the door and very carefully inspect the rubber seal and determine the direction of the displacement that has occurred. It is very easy to find out: the elastic band will be crushed and moved;
  • To be able to shift left or right top corner doors, you need to have a 4 mm V-shaped hexagon on hand. Then you need to remove the plastic plug from the loop and tighten them. The sash position is adjusted by turning the key clockwise or in the opposite direction around the lower hinge;
  • To carry out similar manipulations with the lower corner, it is necessary to perform similar actions;
  • In the case where damage to the seal occurs from below, it is necessary to slightly lift the sash. To do this, you need to tighten the bottom loop with a hexagon. Accordingly, if the seal is damaged at the top, you need to tighten the top hinge;
  • If the case is serious and adjusting the hinges does not give the desired result, drastic methods will be required. Remove the glazing beads and place one or more plastic gaskets between the glass unit and the profile. Proceed with caution as doing anything wrong will void the door's warranty;
  • If you have read all our recommendations, but are still afraid to do a facelift yourself, then call a specialist. When he arrives, try to remember all his manipulations and, if possible, learn the secrets of his craft in order to subsequently carry out repairs on your own.

Photo 4. Adjustment process

When to make adjustments

Don't wait for your door to sag completely. It is much easier to fix a problem when it is in its infancy, otherwise you risk breaking the balcony sash. In order to determine whether adjustment is needed or not, it is enough to perform simple manipulations.

Take a piece of paper and place it on the frame, then close the door and pull the sheet. Such actions must be done along the entire perimeter of the frame. Pay attention to the force with which you have to pull the sheet out of the frame. In the place where it slips out too easily and quickly, it blows with a one hundred percent guarantee.

Photo 5. Plastic door

Another simple method will help identify the sagging problem in its infancy. Close the door and trace the outline using a simple pencil. Now open the door and see if the door moves relative to the frame. If not, then everything is in order, if yes, then adjustment is necessary.

Conclusion

Please note that preventing sagging of a balcony door is simple and understandable for everyone. By following our recommendations, your balcony will last a long time, which means you will save money and nerves.

PVC balcony doors are one of the most popular solutions. They can be installed when the loggia or balcony is not insulated, and in cases where they are turned into separate rooms.

However, despite the fact that plastic doors are practical and durable, over time they can also become deformed. Without the proper degree of pressure, the door begins to open and close with difficulty, creaks, and lets in cold air and moisture. In this case, the apartment owner is faced with the question of how to adjust the plastic balcony door.

One of the most common reasons why a balcony door sags or no longer fits snugly in the frame is loose hinges. Weakening is a natural process, however, if it sagged in the first six months after installation, this means that the door was installed incorrectly. The larger the volume door leaf and the weight of the glass unit, the faster the sagging process occurs. Right installed door cannot sag after 2-3 months of use.

Another cause of malfunctions is exposure to humidity and temperature changes. Sagging for these reasons occurs especially often on uninsulated balconies and loggias. A PVC balcony door protects the room from moisture, drafts and cold, while at the same time experiencing negative influences environment. Also, sagging and not too tight a degree of pressure can be caused by the poor quality of the product itself.

Common faults

In order for a PVC balcony door to close well and fit tightly, you should not only handle it with care, but also eliminate faults at a very early stage, before they lead to serious problems. The instructions will help you troubleshoot problems. First of all, you need to pay attention to the condition door seal, which is located around the perimeter of the sash. If the balcony door is shifted in the horizontal or vertical direction, then in places where it sags you can notice deformation of the seal.

If, when opening, the door touches the threshold, this means that it has begun to sag under its own weight. If the adjustment of plastic balcony doors is not carried out in a timely manner, the leaf may finally sag and a gap will form between it and the frame.

If the balcony door does not open or close, or when closing it touches the middle part of the frame, then this is a sign of lateral displacement of the leaf. Usually, with such a malfunction, the PVC door fittings begin to jam. Adjusting balcony doors helps solve this problem.

Instructions for identifying and correcting door faults

Before you start making adjustments, you need to find out what exactly is preventing the door from fitting tightly. The reason may lie in the loose pressing of the sash to door frame, and in the incorrect operation of the locking mechanism.

Adjusting a plastic balcony door requires the following tools:

  • pliers;
  • set of hex keys;
  • screwdrivers.

Adjusting the balcony door with your own hands should only be done if the warranty period for the product has already expired. If you are not sure that you can do everything correctly, or the product is under warranty, it is better to contact the company that performed the installation.

Checking the pressure

To determine the pressing density of the sash, you need to take a strip of plain paper and apply it to the frame, after which you should close the sash so that the paper is between the sash and the frame, but does not touch the locking elements. Now you need to pull the paper; if it does not give in or is difficult to remove, then the sash pressure in this place is normal. Thus, you should check the degree of pressure along the entire perimeter of the door. In those places where the paper does not hold and is easily removed, you need to adjust the nearest lock, setting the maximum pressure level.

Checking locking mechanisms

To make sure that locking mechanism works properly, you need to open the sash and turn the handle several times different sides, disabling the door lock if necessary. If the pressure rods move freely in the slots, then the locking mechanism is working properly, and the reason for the door not fitting tightly lies elsewhere.

Checking the pressure rods

In addition, you need to check the operation of the pressure rods. To do this, open the sash and set the handle to the “closed” position. Where it is observed bad pressure, using a pencil you need to put a mark on the end of the door leaf.

After this, you need to carefully close the sash and put marks in the same places, only on the frame. Ideally, the marks should be located opposite the curve of the protrusion or be slightly offset towards the beginning of the answer. If the pencil marks do not coincide with the place where the answer is located, then it needs to be adjusted by moving it to the desired position. After this, you need to check the clamping density. If problems persist, you need to continue adjusting the door position until it returns to normal.

Sagging adjustment

Troubleshooting work must be carried out in the following order:

  1. 1 Open the door to gain access to the top hinge, which is located at the end of the door.
  2. 2 Tighten the top screw to adjust the position door block vertically. You can turn the screw correctly using a key, 2-3 times, turning it clockwise. This adjustment of balcony doors will allow you to achieve the required degree of pressure on the sash.
  3. 3 Remove from the bottom door hinge plastic cap and turn the bottom screw clockwise, if after this the blade still sag, you must repeat both operations.

If the work done does not lead to the final alignment of the door, you can take the following measures to stretch the door leaf to press it tightly and reliably:

  • Remove all glazing beads from the top edge of the glass unit.
  • Place plastic spacers between the door profile and its glass.

Before you adjust plastic door using this method, read the instructions and be sure to make sure that the product is not under warranty.

Experience shows that it is more practical to install plastic doors on a balcony or loggia. Firstly, it’s cheap, and secondly, they retain heat well and prevent drafts or moisture from entering the room.

Initially, when installing plastic doors, the craftsmen adjust them, but after a while, difficulties may arise with closing or opening them. In this case, there are two options for resolving the problem - call a specialist, or adjust the balcony door yourself.

First, let's look at what problems may arise during operation:

  • The door has dropped and touches the threshold;

This is all due to the load of the canvas with glass on the hinges, which causes sagging.

  • The door does not close or closes poorly in the middle of the leaf;

The canvas may move towards the free edge of the box due to temperature or increased constant humidity.

  • The canvas does not close tightly, and cold air or a draft enters the room from the door;

It can occur during operation when the control mechanism becomes slightly loose.

  • The handle is loose;

The handle begins to loosen due to frequent use and this is a common practice when using a plastic door.

How to troubleshoot problems yourself:

1. Sagging of the canvas on the threshold

We begin the adjustment from the top hinge; to do this, the door must be opened. At the very top of the hinge there is a hex or asterisk screw (in different models are different). We select a suitable key and make several turns with the key clockwise. There is no need to overdo it, it is better to tighten it once again after checking.

If after the work done the sash touches the threshold, then you need to look at the lower hinge. If there is a protective cap on the loop, it must be removed. We are looking for the same hexagon or asterisk, it will also be located at the top of the loop. We make several turns with the key clockwise. We check, this procedure should solve the problem completely.


2. The leaf touches the door frame in the middle



This nuance can be solved by tightening the bolt on the canopy. We start everything from the bottom canopy, only this time we look for the bolt on the side. We select the key and make several turns back clockwise. This procedure will pull the canvas towards the canopy and automatically move it away from the free edge of the box.

If after such manipulations the door still rubs against the frame, then we carry out all of the above with the upper canopy.

Don’t be lazy, check several times whether everything suits you; if there are any shortcomings, it is better to eliminate them immediately.

3. Gaps between the box and the canvas, allowing moisture or cold to enter the room. How to adjust the pressure of a plastic balcony door:



This drawback can also be solved at home yourself. We open the door and look for trunnions (or eccentrics) from the free side edge. Often there are three of them: at the top, in the middle and at the bottom.

Trunnions or eccentrics need to be turned slightly to the side using a screwdriver or pliers sealing gum. After each change in the position of the eccentrics, you need to check the door pressure. This procedure must be carried out with all three eccentrics.


This may take some time, because the work is delicate and scrupulous. You also need to check the pressure on the hinge side. We close the door and look for a bolt in the awnings at the top and bottom; we need to tighten it a little.

When installing a balcony door by a company, a guarantee on the work is always given. And if any breakdowns occur during the period of this warranty, then the installer will solve the problem. They undertake to put all mechanisms and problems that arise in order. But the warranty period expires sooner or later. Then you have to turn to private craftsmen for help and pay money for it. But don’t rush to look for a generalist. You can fix many breakdowns yourself. The main thing is to approach the problem correctly. You will see that many problems are primitive and can be fixed in short time. Let's talk about how to adjust the pressure of a plastic door on a balcony.

Causes of balcony door malfunctions

After installation, balcony doors and windows function smoothly. This is especially true for the door mechanism. It is he who works more often than other parts. But over time, the tightness of the door decreases and this leads to cold wind wandering in the room. People are starting to insulate their balconies, but this does not lead to positive results.

Such problems happen extremely rarely with windows. Adjusting the pressure of the balcony door in time will eliminate many problems. The main thing is to start eliminating it as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more serious the problem itself becomes. This means that solving it becomes difficult. If you notice that it is blowing from the balcony, immediately request the arrival of a specialist. Or fix the problem on our own. Moreover, it is quite real and there is nothing complicated about it. When tightened, the door will stop closing completely.

How to determine whether pressure adjustment is necessary

Don't rush to adjust the tightness of your balcony door. First, make sure that the problem exists and needs to be fixed. So, we begin to check the tightness of the balcony door.

In fact, checking is not difficult. Take a regular one album sheet and slam the door on him. Then try to pull the paper through the entire perimeter of the door. The sheet should not move easily. Otherwise, such an action indicates that the door leaf has lost its original density.

If you suspect that the problem is misalignment, then close the sash. Using a regular pencil, draw along the perimeter closed door. After that, open the balcony door and look at the drawn line. Irregularities indicate misalignment. If there is a level, be sure to use it for accuracy of analysis. Such elementary actions will allow you to see the problem at the most early stages. So don't delay checking. Especially if even a small stream of street air penetrates into the room.

Preparing for adjustment

The mechanism system of a plastic door is very different from wooden product. The main distinguishing characteristic is that adjusting it is several times easier than in the second option. Modern manufacturers offer a wide variety of models and options. The operation of the mechanism in them is somewhat different, but to a greater extent it is the same. There are several steps used to troubleshoot problems.

You cannot fix all problems with your bare hands. You need to prepare a number of some simple tools:

  • Screwdrivers with a variety of tips;
  • Set of hex keys (nuts in various models have distinctive radii);
  • Pliers for penetration inaccessible places;
  • Plastic gaskets;
  • Tape measure.

Only after all the tools are available can you begin to adjust the balcony door yourself.

Step-by-step adjustment of the balcony door

  1. If the problem lies in the doorway, then you will have to tighten the screws that are located in the hinges. Usually there are three of them. Open the door and unscrew the trim with the most common wrench. Next, the door is closed and the linings are removed from the hinges. Then replace the screw located in the horizontal plane.
  2. If you notice a weakening of the traction in the lower edge far from the hinges, simply tighten the screws that are located in the upper and middle hinges.
  3. The verticality of the door may also be disrupted. In this case, adjust the hinges from the bottom. As a rule, this procedure is carried out with a 5.5 mm wrench.
  4. The strikers located at the bottom and top are adjusted with a 2.5 mm wrench and a flat-tip screwdriver. But the locking plate is adjusted using a Phillips screwdriver. Lifting the door slightly will allow you to adjust the bottom hinges. To do this, insert into the groove wrench and rotate clockwise.
  5. If obvious deformations of the lower seal are detected, adjust the upper hinges and vice versa.

Remember that adjusting the pressure of a plastic balcony door should always take into account the design features of the door.

Sometimes the situation is not corrected by adjusting the screws. Then you will have to remove the darning and place plastic spacers under the profile. Now you can adjust the door pressure yourself and save yourself from many unpleasant problems. The main thing is not to start the process.

Drafts in an apartment are dangerous to the health of both children and adults. They contribute to the development of colds, cause discomfort and increase the cost of heating rooms in the winter.

The source of a draft in an apartment is usually the doors leading to a balcony or loggia. This problem is typical for most old wooden balcony blocks. Many owners of plastic doors to the balcony, who installed them two or three years ago, also encounter this problem. And if the installation of metal-plastic glazing was done incorrectly, then you may find that it is blowing even from a new plastic balcony door.

Cold air enters through the balcony door due to a violation of the tightness of the door leaf to the frame. Wooden doors become bent and sag over time, and a plastic balcony door usually lets cold air in from the hinges due to malfunction of the fittings.

After installing the plastic balcony block, the technician must make adjustments to the fittings. However, during active use, the mechanism wears out, which is why the door leaf adheres weaker to the jamb.

Eliminating the reason for a plastic door

The problem of cold air entering from a plastic balcony door is familiar to many. To eliminate it, it is necessary to find out the cause of drafts.

First of all, you should check the condition of the rubber seal of the balcony door. If you find signs of wear on it, then it's time to change the sealing contour. Please note that there are no universal seals for plastic window and door units. They differ in size and cross-sectional shape. Therefore, when going to the store to buy a new sealing contour, take with you a piece old tape. Before installing the seal, be sure to clean inner part groove from dust and dirt.

If the rubber band is not damaged, it is worth adjusting the fit of the sash to the frame. After all, poor pressure is another common reason why there is blowing from the balcony door. You can check the quality of fit of the sash to the frame using a simple test. Take a sheet of paper, clamp it between the canvas and the profile and close the sash. After this, start pulling out the sheet. If the paper is difficult to pull out, then everything is fine. Otherwise, you need to adjust the pressing force of the sash.

The locking elements are responsible for the tight fit of the door to the frame. The method for adjusting the degree of pressing of the canvas to the frame depends on the design of the fittings:

  1. Typically, adjustment is made by turning the eccentrics located at the end of the blade. A hex wrench is used for this.
  2. If the fittings include a trunnion, then the pressure is adjusted by installing the trunnion at the desired angle. This will require pliers. A right angle to the sash ensures maximum fit.
  3. A counter plate is also used to adjust the degree of pressure. It is moved by rotating a special screw using a hexagon.

A draft can occur due to the fact that the door to the balcony does not close well. Over time, the sash sags under its own weight and a gap forms on top through which cold air enters. If it is blowing from below, then you need to adjust the position of the lower corner of the canvas. These defects can be eliminated by tightening the axial screws.

A cold breeze may come from under the handle of a plastic door. This indicates that the mechanism has ceased to perform its functions. To correct the situation, you need to tighten and tighten all fasteners tightly.

In the process of eliminating the causes of the draft, it may turn out that:

  • the fittings are worn out and need to be replaced;
  • There was a defect in the manufacture of the sash;
  • The installation of the balcony block was carried out with violations of technology.

Therefore, it is best to entrust the adjustment of the balcony door to the craftsmen of the company that installed plastic glazing. They are required to fix these problems under warranty. If the warranty period has expired, you can contact any specialized company that provides such services. Well, if you have some skills and free time, you can try to adjust the fittings of the plastic structure yourself.

Eliminating the reason for a wooden door

In Soviet-built houses you can often find wooden doors to the balcony. They are quite high quality and durable, but over time they warp and deform under the influence of moisture and temperature changes. Because of this, cold air penetrates into the room.

To get rid of a draft, you need to improve the fit of the wooden sash to the frame. To do this, you need to nail or glue a seal along the contour of the frame. And if there is a skew of the canvas, then you need to adjust the door hinges.

As a sealing contour for a wooden balcony sash, you can use:

  • self-adhesive seal;
  • foam tapes;
  • strips of felt or felt.

You can cover the gaps around the canvas by insulating the balcony door. For this purpose, foam rubber, isolon and other similar materials are used. Insulated rollers made of the same material are attached along the perimeter of the canvas, which will cover the joints with door frame. To give decorative look the canvas is upholstered with leatherette.

It can blow not only from under the frame, but also from under the glazing beads pressing the glass. In this case, you will have to dismantle the glazing beads, remove the glass and reinstall it, applying sealant around the perimeter.

If even after these measures the balcony door still lets the cold in, then you should think about replacing the old balcony block.

Preventive actions

All balcony doors need regular care, because any mechanism fails sooner or later. Clamp plastic sash It is advisable to adjust twice a year when the season changes. It is recommended to loosen the pressure before the onset of hot weather, and increase it during the cold season. This will reduce wear on parts of the plastic structure.

It is also necessary to take care of the rubber seal. Over time, its elasticity deteriorates, and cracks and tears appear on the surface. However, the service life of the sealing contour can be extended by lubricating it with a special silicone-based gel every 6 months. And once every five years it is recommended to change the seal for preventive purposes.

To prevent wooden balcony doors from deforming and drying out, they must be painted regularly. Paintwork protects wood from moisture and prevents swelling. For painting, it is best to use acrylic water-dispersion varnishes and paints, which dry quickly and do not emit toxic fumes.