Following a 'cleaning incident' the open/closing mechanism of a UPVC
window has bent out of shape:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjXyhkid

I've tried levering with a flat blade, and straightening with big mole
grips, but I can't straighten it. Either the frame twists, putting
stress on the existing and opposite hinge, or I can't get enough purchase.

I think I need to take the unit out by undoing the 4 screws that hold
the mechanism to the frame, and trying to straighten it in a vice, or
source a new one.

Is that achievable, especially as I'm likely to be on my own? Any
hints/tips?

--
Cheers, Rob

RJH wrote:
Following a 'cleaning incident' the open/closing mechanism of a UPVC
window has bent out of shape:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjXyhkid

I've tried levering with a flat blade, and straightening with big mole
grips, but I can't straighten it. Either the frame twists, putting
stress on the existing and opposite hinge, or I can't get enough purchase.

I think I need to take the unit out by undoing the 4 screws that hold
the mechanism to the frame, and trying to straighten it in a vice, or
source a new one.

Is that achievable, especially as I'm likely to be on my own? Any
hints/tips?

Get a replacement hinge pair. Even when straightened it will be weak and
highly likely to fail again.
If it is ground floor you and one other might be able to swap it but I'd
go for professional help or a scaff tower if it is upstairs.

On 17/05/2014 09:55, Bob Minchin wrote:
RJH wrote:
Following a 'cleaning incident' the open/closing mechanism of a UPVC
window has bent out of shape:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjXyhkid

I've tried levering with a flat blade, and straightening with big mole
grips, but I can't straighten it. Either the frame twists, putting
stress on the existing and opposite hinge, or I can't get enough
purchase.

I think I need to take the unit out by undoing the 4 screws that hold
the mechanism to the frame, and trying to straighten it in a vice, or
source a new one.

Is that achievable, especially as I'm likely to be on my own? Any
hints/tips?

Get a replacement hinge pair. Even when straightened it will be weak and
highly likely to fail again.
If it is ground floor you and one other might be able to swap it but I'd
go for professional help or a scaff tower if it is upstairs.

Thanks for that, noted. It's likely to be me. Partner will be to hand
but neither of us are massively strong. I'm quite happy chucking about
25kg bags of cement but not much more; she has a back problem so less
able. It's very high up - 4th floor, effectively.

--
Cheers, Rob

Bob Minchin wrote:

RJH wrote:

Following a 'cleaning incident' the open/closing mechanism of a UPVC
window has bent out of shape:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjXyhkid

Sack the cleaner.

I've tried levering with a flat blade, and straightening with big mole
grips, but I can't straighten it. Either the frame twists, putting
stress on the existing and opposite hinge, or I can't get enough purchase.

I think I need to take the unit out by undoing the 4 screws that hold
the mechanism to the frame, and trying to straighten it in a vice, or
source a new one.

Is that achievable, especially as I'm likely to be on my own? Any
hints/tips?

Get a replacement hinge pair. Even when straightened it will be weak and
highly likely to fail again.

Have a look see if you can see maker's name on it, might be easier with
it removed so you can measure it better, with out out you can probably
straighten the hinge well enough to to allow temporary refitting until a
replacement is ordered/delivered.

http://www.upvc-hardware.co.uk/hinge...-window-hinges
http://www.upvcspares4repairs.co.uk/upvc-window-hinges
http://www.upvcwindow-doorparts.co.uk/window-hardware/

you might want to get some of the uPVC repair screws from similar
places, if you're reusing the existing holes, the old screws might not
bite very well after being removed and replaced a couple of times.

e.g.

http://www.upvc-hardware.co.uk/screws-accessories

If it is ground floor you and one other might be able to swap it but I'd
go for professional help or a scaff tower if it is upstairs.

I would think you could do the whole replacement from inside, the hinges
are just screwed into the outer frame, one person holding it, the other
unscrewing. Can't really gauge the full with of the opener from your
photos, but it should be well under your sack of cement limit.

In article , RJH
scribeth thus
Following a 'cleaning incident' the open/closing mechanism of a UPVC
window has bent out of shape:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjXyhkid

I've tried levering with a flat blade, and straightening with big mole
grips, but I can't straighten it. Either the frame twists, putting
stress on the existing and opposite hinge, or I can't get enough purchase.

I think I need to take the unit out by undoing the 4 screws that hold
the mechanism to the frame, and trying to straighten it in a vice, or
source a new one.

Is that achievable, especially as I'm likely to be on my own? Any
hints/tips?


Don' screwfix or Toolstation do that sort of thing now?.

--
Tony Sayer

RJH wrote:

I think I need to take the unit out by undoing the 4 screws that hold the
mechanism to the frame, and trying to straighten it in a vice, or source a
new one.

Is "the unit" the whole moving part of the window? It strikes me that that
may be quite tricky. You don't want to be stuck at the window opening
trying to hold the whole thing in one hand while - say - you take the last
screw out. And taking the screws out probably needs two hands anyway, if
you don't want to risk dropping a screw out to the ground below.

Do you have any neighbours who could help?

--
Jeremy C B Nicoll - my opinions are my own.

Email sent to my from-address will be deleted. Instead, please reply
to replacing "aaa" by "284".

On Saturday, 17 May 2014 14:31:52 UTC+1, Groove wrote:
RJH wrote in

:



I think I need to take the unit out by undoing the 4 screws that hold

the mechanism to the frame, and trying to straighten it in a vice, or

source a new one.



Is that achievable, especially as I'm likely to be on my own? Any

hints/tips?





Judging by the condensation inside the unit the glass panel probably

needs replacing as well. It may be worth taking that out first so the

frame is much lighter and easy to handle.




I agree on removing the glass to make the frame lighter, but it seems to be

internally beaded, so the gaskets, which are on the outside, will be difficult

to remove, and more difficult to refit.

On 17/05/2014 09:40, RJH wrote:
Following a 'cleaning incident' the open/closing mechanism of a UPVC
window has bent out of shape:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjXyhkid

I've tried levering with a flat blade, and straightening with big mole
grips, but I can't straighten it. Either the frame twists, putting
stress on the existing and opposite hinge, or I can't get enough purchase.

I think I need to take the unit out by undoing the 4 screws that hold
the mechanism to the frame, and trying to straighten it in a vice, or
source a new one.

Is that achievable, especially as I'm likely to be on my own? Any
hints/tips?


Many thanks everyone, appreciated.

On the hinges, I'll take them off and try to replace the pair. I can't
see any maker's markings anywhere, so off to some DG places.

I'll see if I can get some help. I'm sure I could lift/hold the unit,
but it's all at an awkward angle and height. Could also rope the unit,
just in case the worst happens.

--
Cheers, Rob

On 17/05/2014 21:54, Mr Fuxit wrote:
On Saturday, 17 May 2014 14:31:52 UTC+1, Groove wrote:
RJH wrote in

:



I think I need to take the unit out by undoing the 4 screws that hold

the mechanism to the frame, and trying to straighten it in a vice, or

source a new one.



Is that achievable, especially as I'm likely to be on my own? Any

hints/tips?





Judging by the condensation inside the unit the glass panel probably

needs replacing as well. It may be worth taking that out first so the

frame is much lighter and easy to handle.




I agree on removing the glass to make the frame lighter, but it seems to be

internally beaded, so the gaskets, which are on the outside, will be difficult

to remove, and more difficult to refit.


Well spotted. It would make it so much easier if the glass came out (and
it needs replacing anyway, as David says), but if it's a faff/specialist
I'd better draw the line somewhere.

--
Cheers, Rob

On 18/05/2014 10:54, RJH wrote:
On 17/05/2014 09:40, RJH wrote:
Following a 'cleaning incident' the open/closing mechanism of a UPVC
window has bent out of shape:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjXyhkid

I've tried levering with a flat blade, and straightening with big mole
grips, but I can't straighten it. Either the frame twists, putting
stress on the existing and opposite hinge, or I can't get enough
purchase.

I think I need to take the unit out by undoing the 4 screws that hold
the mechanism to the frame, and trying to straighten it in a vice, or
source a new one.

Is that achievable, especially as I'm likely to be on my own? Any
hints/tips?


Many thanks everyone, appreciated.

On the hinges, I'll take them off and try to replace the pair. I can't
see any maker's markings anywhere, so off to some DG places.

I'll see if I can get some help. I'm sure I could lift/hold the unit,
but it's all at an awkward angle and height. Could also rope the unit,
just in case the worst happens.

I would be tempted if working alone, to make up a wooden F shaped
bracket - where the prongs of the F can sit over the lower non moving
sash, and the tail can take the weight of the opening sash. Then you can
unscrew the hinge while the bracket keeps the free end supported.

(check the replacement hinges carefully - I found a problem with some of
ours is that the originals have a slight kink in the hinged ends so that
the overall thickness of the hinges is reduced by a few mm. Hence many
of the replacements don't actually fit in and allow the window to close!)


--
Cheers,

John.

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