How to repair a stuck window? Help please!

Doey21 on 22/02/2014 - 14:09

Hey Ozbargainers! I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on how to fix a window that is stuck!

I'm living in a recently built apartment with awning windows which have become stuck. I can slightly open the window (1cm) but the hinge on the left appears to be stuck. The window and hinges are both steel. I'm going out to buy some WD40 to see if that will help the situation. Also since it's an apartment, there is no way to access the window from the outside either.

Can you guys shed some light on how to fix this problem or have any ideas? If I need some professional service, can anyone recommend a tradesman who won't charge me an arm and a leg? (I live in the sydney CBD area)

Thanks guys!

Home & Garden

Comments

  • snappy1234 on 22/02/2014 - 17:53
    +1

    Body Corp should get this fixed at no charge as its actually not "your" window as such…you just get to use it :)

    • Doey21 on 22/02/2014 - 23:20

      Oh wow I looked up fair trading and yes you're right! You just saved me a lot of money thanks so much!

  • iseenya on 22/02/2014 - 18:09
    +1

    The hinges were probably assembled without lubricant and after exposure to rain, have developed a thin film of rust inside. If you can break that film (without breaking the glass!), adding some lubricant should keep the mechanism operating normally.

    WD40 is good as a penetrating agent but it is NOT a lubricant (the "WD" actually stands for "water displacement", which is its primary purpose). If spraying with plenty of WD40 starts to free the hinge even a little, you'll then need to get some real oil into it to stop it binding again when the WD40 dries out. Once you get some movement happening, apply oil all along the hinge and start repeatedly opening/closing the window as far as possible, to loosen it up and spread the oil throughout the hinge area.

    And make sure you don't fall out of the window while doing the above, OK?

    • Doey21 on 22/02/2014 - 23:22

      Haha yeah maybe I'll try that first to save having to call management! Thanks :) I'm more worried about accidentally taking the hinge off because that has happened to one of the neighbours!

  • retiredfeline on 22/02/2014 - 19:16
    +4

    Ctrl-Alt-Del? Oops, wrong kind of window. :)

    • battler on 22/02/2014 - 22:13

      Alt-F4 works for me.

  • anna10 on 01/03/2014 - 11:34

    Slightly OT, but with things like sticking timber draws, and maybe windows, use a wax candle end rubbed underneath the drawer and the carcass near what ever runners may be there. Be careful when first using it as it will work really well if rubbed in the right place.

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