Nowadays, plastic is one of the most practical materials. Wood is considered an environmentally friendly material, but at the same time difficult to maintain, in addition, wooden structures are difficult to adjust after they sag over time and lose their properties.
In order not to be afraid that one day the balcony door simply will not close, or, on the contrary, will slam shut so that it cannot be opened, modern building owners install plastic balcony doors that can always be adjusted.
When does a door need adjustment?
As a rule, it is impossible to say the exact date or time, which is optimal in order to adjust the structure. This usually happens closer to the cold season. In summer, the door is often open, so the fittings can loosen, then adjustment will be required.
It is worth thinking about how to bring your door back to normal if the following signs appear:
- Draft
- A crack appeared in the glass unit
- The handle is difficult to turn or, on the contrary, turns too easily.
Do it yourself or call a master?
The answer to this question is ambiguous, since on the one hand, a reliable master always knows his job, especially if he is an employee of the company that installed the door block. But sometimes it so happens that it's better to take matters into our own hands. Experts say that it is quite possible to cope with such a task on your own and there is nothing wrong with that. The main thing is to take the necessary tools and get down to business.
What tools are needed?
Before starting the adjustment process, it is worth worrying that everything you need for this is in your home. The set is simple, but without it the matter will not get off the ground.
For this kind of work, you will need:
- Pliers
- Hex screwdrivers
- Roulette
- Flat and Phillips screwdrivers
- PVC gaskets
Direction of adjustment
Once you have everything you need ready, you can begin the adjustment process. This can be done: vertically, horizontally or frontally.
The adjusting screws are easy to see when you remove the trim panel. To do this, you need to open the balcony door and use a 3 mm Allen key.
Direction of adjustment instructions
Horizontal is the movement of the door leaf to the right or left. Most often they use it when the door stops closing smoothly, and this is due to temperature changes outside - either thaw or frost affect the structure. In order to adjust the door, the hexagon is inserted into the side adjustment screw, which is located on the side surface of the lower hinge. By simple actions, the screw is tightened, so the sash is attracted to the hinge.
The vertical direction is when the door hits the threshold or when dents appear on the seal at the top or bottom. Here, for adjustment, you will need various screwdrivers - these are both 5 and 2.5 mm hexagons, and an ordinary flat screwdriver. To displace the main strike plate, you will need a Phillips screwdriver, which every owner has.
And the last direction is frontal. Here's a more complicated procedure. It is necessary to remove the glazing beads that regulate the glass unit. Then, between the glass unit and the plastic, you will need to insert gaskets. This is not an easy task, since you need to choose the right thickness and size. Therefore, more often specialists of a wide profile resort to this type of adjustment. They can both work with doors and adjust sliding aluminum windows if installed on your balcony.
Does it close tightly?
You can do this yourself, using a regular sheet of paper. Anyone will do. It is inserted between the sash and the frame. If in order to pull out the sheet you need to apply force, then everything is in order with your structure, and it does not require repair or adjustment. If the sheet that you inserted can be easily removed, then a gap has formed, and the door needs to be adjusted.
If you did a simple test with paper, and it showed that you should intervene so as not to blow in the winter cold, then you need to purchase the necessary tools. They are sold at any hardware store. There are such sets in companies that install windows and doors, you can call there and ask the manager. The tools may not be in specialized stores, for example, in the departments where bicycles are sold, you can always find sets of hexagons. They cost 400-500 rubles and will always come in handy on the farm.
Specific problems
What to do if, for example, the glass unit is skewed and comes out of the seal?
It happens from one edge of the sash and is visually noticeable. Experts advise removing the glazing beads from the frame. This can be done with a sharp object such as a knife or spatula. Do not be afraid to damage the glazing bead, PVC is known for its flexibility properties, this will avoid deformation. Now you can center the glass unit, and insert the plastic spacers (their thickness allows you to adjust). Now the glazing beads need to be returned to their place. Here you will need a rubber hammer that will allow you to drive them back in and will not damage the structure.
If condensation occurs, does this mean that the door is defective and requires adjustment?
Condensation occurs when there is not enough ventilation in the room. Plastic structures are dense enough and are not blown out from the outside. In Soviet times, there were cracks in wooden frames, which were sealed with cotton wool for the winter. There is no such thing in PVC. So if your balcony block is located next to the battery, you can put a special inlet valve under it. The door should be installed with a micro-ventilation function, it will open a few centimeters and the air will enter the room. You can also use a door comb to lock the door and allow air to circulate. All these devices do not require additional maintenance, they function for a long time and are simply regulated at home without a specialist.
