Abbey Windows’ service manager, Rosie Page-Smith, has seen many problems with windows and doors over the years. “Some failures – approximately 5% in our case – will occur due to manufacturer warranty issues. But the highest rate of failure of windows and doors’ moving parts comes under one of two categories,” she explains.
Reasons Why Windows & Doors Fail
The first one is the misuse of the product. As Rosie says, “This could be from not completely understanding how it works, brute force, or even simply neglect. It will be clear to see if this is the case, if a product has been misused or put under too much stress. In this case, you won’t be covered by the warranty, so it’ll be a costly mistake.”
The second reason is what we’re going to focus on in this guide – servicing and maintaining products. In some cases, this can be as simple as wiping down your windows and doors, and perhaps spraying them with a lithium-based lubricant. You can pick this up from most if not all DIY outlets for as little as £6 a can. That’s much more affordable than needing to replace the whole unit.
Maintaining Products
Investing in a lubricant will prolong the life of your window and door products, which will help to save you money in the long run. That’s because applying it will reduce the friction and wear and tear experienced by your window and doors’ moving parts.
“It’s like a car engine,” Rosie says, elaborating: “ I explain it like this to customers: Would you turn on and run your car engine without oil in it? Would you keep the same oil in your car for, say, five years without changing it? The hinges, handles, locks and moving parts on your windows and doors are no different.”
These components rely on an oil-based product to keep them working correctly. Without this, they’re under immense pressure, which increases dramatically over time. In fact, the force of these unlubricated parts will distort and create enough resistance to cause the product to snap.
Regular Maintenance is Key
We tend to say that our customers should clean and lubricate their products at least once a year, but we recommend twice a year if they’re able to. Since the process is relatively quick and easy, it isn’t a huge time commitment and should therefore be achievable for most. This helps to keep them in great working condition to ensure they stay performing as they should reliably over time.
In fact, we’ve created our very own user guide that is available in the Downloads section of our website. You can find it here: Abbey Service and Maintenance Guide. We’ve had excellent feedback from our customers over the years that this is a great resource to look after and extend the life of their windows and doors.
If you prefer a video guide, we also have a range of demonstrations over on our YouTube channel, one of which you can find here: Maintenance of Your uPVC Windows. We recommend you take a look and pick up some tips. You’ll see that it’s easier than you might be thinking, and the results will be plain to see – not only in how much better your windows and doors will look but also how exquisitely they continue to perform over time.
When Did You Last Maintain Your Windows & Doors?
Be honest – we won’t judge. Use this as your reminder to reschedule some time this weekend or over the next couple of days to see what condition your windows and doors are in, and assess what condition they should be in with just a little upkeep.
Rosie and her team will attend service and repair jobs where we’ll ask customers when they last serviced tier products – since this ensures guarantees and warranties are kept validated. We’re always told it’s a yes, but sometimes it’s plain to see that sadly this isn’t the case. Dead giveaways include a build-up of black grime, dust and even cobwebs, which aren’t so much fun on your windows when it’s not Halloween!
Costs of Replacing Window & Door Parts
The cost of replacing different window and door components varies as you would expect. If you’re planning to carry this out yourself – as a gauge, you could buy a replacement handle for as little as £3 all the way up to £25 or more. Similarly, a replacement door lock coil dbe between £10 to £160 or upwards depending on your chosen security level.
Window hinges, meanwhile, could be £25 to £50 or more for the parts alone. This sort of replacement is one where you’ll want to seriously consider professional involvement – for your own safety. When removing and replacing hinges, there are lots of dangers to be aware of. Working at height is always dangerous, as is heavy lifting. You could be putting yourself in harm’s way, and passersby too. We advise you to seek professional advice first.
Our main takeaway from this is, where possible, simply look to maintain your windows and doors. By keeping them in good condition, you’ll avoid these unnecessary expenses for replacement. You could save hundreds of pounds and avoid any potential danger. Particularly at the moment, with the cost of living increasing, we all need to be more aware of our expenses and how to reduce them. Cut out additional costs like replacement parts by looking after your windows and doors in the first place.
5 Signs Windows & Doors Need Servicing
- Increased resistance when operating the product
- A slight vibration felt when parts are rubbing together
- A grinding noise
- A draught or increased external noise pollution as the product won’t close properly
- Difficulty when locking or unlocking
5 Ways To Prevent Window & Door Damage
- Clean your products’ moving parts as thoroughly as you can at least once a year, removing any grime or dirt build-up
- Lubricate the moving parts, being sure to wipe away any excess
- Be careful when applying pressure – never use more than you need. If you have trouble using the product or meet resistance, something needs sorting, so inspect the product and try the above two measures
- Only use the product for its intended use and within its capabilities
- Clean the entire product regularly to reduce colour fade and keep it looking its best, so you won’t have to replace it for longer
Window & Door Maintenance Overview
If you want to avoid the unnecessary expense of replacing your windows and doors, then the best course of action is to keep them well maintained. Products that are cleaned and kept looking their best will stay performing at their best for longer too, meaning you won’t have to replace them.
Here at Abbey Windows, our service team encounters problems with windows and doors that, unfortunately, could be easily avoided if the products were better maintained at home. We know it’s difficult to find the time, but taking just a few minutes out of your day once or twice a year could save you hundreds of pounds and the stress of replacing the whole product.
For more advice about windows, doors and all your home improvement needs, get in touch with the friendly team here at Abbey Windows. We’ll be happy to help with your current products and make recommendations for your next project so you’ll get the best value for money with your investment.
