The door serves to delimit the space in an apartment or house, saves residents from street noise and winter cold. Many install plastic structures in their apartments: they look good and have many other advantages. But they also have a drawback - the large weight of the valves. It leads to sagging and loss of tightness. To troubleshoot, there is an instruction for adjusting plastic doors on your own.
Problems most often arise with the onset of autumn. The plastic sheet begins to close poorly, touch the frame, require additional effort when turning the handle. As a result, cold outdoor air can enter the room. To eliminate these problems, plastic doors are adjusted, which can be done on their own.
If the plastic product is under warranty service, then it is better to call the master. He can check the entire door structure and determine the cause of the problems. After that, he will work on the lubrication of parts and the necessary adjustment of the plastic door.
The setting may consist in adjusting the plastic product horizontally and vertically, as well as adjusting the clamping of the web to the box. The door will acquire the qualities of a newly assembled structure: it will have a tight hold on the box, it will not open or close arbitrarily.
Prevention
PVC doors will have to be adjusted annually. To do this less often, you need to follow some simple rules of prevention. It is good to equip the sashes with an opening limiter and a microlift. The microlift will protect the canvas from sagging, and the limiter will not allow the hinges to loosen when the wings are fully opened.
To prevent breakage of the handle, do not hang heavy bags on it. Plastic parts will last longer if wiped with a clean, damp cloth. The composition of any plastic door structure includes rubber seals. They must be regularly lubricated with silicone compounds that give rubber plasticity.
The lock, eccentrics and other parts of the mechanism are also subject to lubrication. Over time, the handle turns tighter, you have to lean on it with all the weight of your body. From this, distortions of the canvas appear. If you follow all the rules, it will last much longer. Metal fittings are lubricated with technical vaseline.
How to adjust a plastic door
Adjustment of a plastic door begins with the identification of defects. You can do this with a paper strip. It is placed with the door open on the frame and the sash is tightly closed. After that, you need to pull the paper towards you. If it pulls out without effort, it means that the door is not pressed against the box well. In this way, it is checked around the entire perimeter. The adjustment scheme depends on the places where the paper is loose.
If the canvas has shifted in a horizontal direction, you need to remove the plug from the hinges and tighten the screws. After that, a hex wrench rotates a horizontally located adjusting screw. In this way, the horizontal displacement of the PVC door is adjusted.
Canvas sagging
Often the door sags under its own weight. When the web is shifted in the vertical direction, it is simply returned to its place by rotating the adjusting screws that are located at the bottom of the hinges. To do this, use a hexagon. If the operations are performed correctly, the plastic flap will take the desired position and will be in close contact with the box.
If you move the door in height, it moves up to 2 mm. Turning the adjusting screw counterclockwise lowers the door leaf. Clockwise - rises. The main thing is not to rush. Only the correct adjustment of the door hinges brings the desired result.
Mashing
With a large degree of vertical lowering, the canvas begins to touch the elements of the door frame. There is rubbing of the canvas. The malfunction is regulated by retracting the web to the right or left. It is recommended to start work from the bottom. To perform the operation, you need to take the hexagon and insert it into the appropriate hole. The PVC door will begin to move towards or away from the hinge. In the same way, the upper part of the structure is retracted to the right place.
Self-adjust clamp
Over time, a situation may arise that the PVC door does not open or opens, but with difficulty. In this case, frontal adjustment of the structure is used. There are two ways to adjust the plastic door clamp:
- with the help of eccentrics;
- using a clamping mechanism.
Eccentrics are located along the perimeter of the end part of the door leaf. The clamping mechanism is located in the canopy area. To adjust the pressure using eccentrics, you need to turn them around their axis. As a result, the pressing force of the web to the box will change. If the eccentric moves towards the room, the clamp will loosen. This position is recommended for the summer season. For winter, you need to turn the eccentrics towards the street. All eccentrics turn in the same direction. This can be done with a special key or pliers.
Loose fit
It is a little more difficult to adjust the door with your own hands when it is loose. You can notice this problem by feeling when you turn the knob - in this case, you have to make more effort. In this case, the eccentrics are already installed in the winter position. You can put them in the middle position, which will loosen the clamp. If this does not help, the reason lies in the handle: its entire mechanism is clogged, and the canvas does not close well.
Handle Adjustment Instructions
Often there is a situation when the handle is loose. In this case, you need to adjust it. To do this, the decorative trim is rotated 90 degrees to release the fixing screws. These screws are unscrewed and the handle is removed. Then you should carefully inspect the parts, if necessary, replace the failed ones. Assembly is carried out in reverse order. Assembled and lubricated handle regularly serves for a long time.
Adjusting plastic doors yourself is a simple matter. To perform all operations, it is necessary to open the sash to gain access to all mechanisms. The adjusting screw is tightened with a 4 mm hex wrench.
Required Tools
To carry out repair and adjustment work, some tools are needed:
- hex keys;
- flat screwdriver;
- Phillips screwdriver;
- plastic gaskets;
- roulette;
- rubber seals (not always);
- adjustment instructions.
This set of tools is enough for quality work. It remains only to monitor the health of the design:
- if necessary, the old seal is removed and a spare is installed;
- you need to monitor the level of the canvas in a horizontal plane;
- the sides of the hinges must always be firmly fixed;
- timely adjust the eccentrics;
- regularly lubricate all components and parts.
These actions will extend the life of PVC doors.
Anton Tsugunov
Reading time: 4 minutes
Plastic doors are a well-established competitor to the classic wooden construction. They are known to everyone thanks to their use in shops and offices, but there is a place for such doors in an apartment - they are installed in a balcony opening. Plastic doors are not so difficult to cause big problems for the owner. But, like any mechanism, during operation, they can also periodically experience minor malfunctions that require intervention. Adjusting plastic doors is a simple process, you can do this work yourself, but you need some knowledge to help you carry it out.
Malfunctions that occur during the operation of plastic doors
If the door closes tightly or a strong draft is felt from under it, this is already a clearly expressed problem that needs to be eliminated. It is not necessary to bring to this state, because the presence of obvious malfunctions leads to great difficulties in setting up, as well as to the wear of some parts. There are simple methods for checking the correct operation of the doors, which will allow you to determine in a timely manner whether adjustment is necessary.
Checking the pressure of the door to the frame
The condition of the sealing rubber will first of all “tell” the correctness of the door clamp. If it is crushed from some angle or its thickness has decreased, this is a clear sign of improper pressing.
In addition to taking measures to adjust the door, the deformed sealing gum will have to be replaced.
Method for checking the uniformity of door pressure against the frame:
- A sheet of paper must be placed between the frame and the door leaf.
- The sash must be closed and, remembering the applied force, pull out the paper.
- The previous steps should be repeated around the entire perimeter of the frame.
If in some place the paper is pulled out effortlessly or, conversely, it is impossible to remove it, this indicates the need to adjust the pressure.
Door sag detection
Sagging of the door leaf is possible, the presence of which can be determined using a level or a simple pencil.
- When installing the frame and door leaf, installers must use the building level, since all elements are set strictly vertically or horizontally. Using a similar tool, you can quickly determine the presence of sagging in the door.
- In the absence of a level, an ordinary pencil is enough to draw a line along the entire canvas with the door closed. Then the sash needs to be opened and the parallelism of the line to the edges of the box must be determined. The difference in the width of the resulting strip should not exceed 2 mm.
Self-adjustment: tools
After identifying a defect, it will be necessary to adjust the metal-plastic doors, which, if there is a guarantee, will be performed by a called specialist. However, after the expiration of the warranty period, a waiting time for a repairman is required, which is sometimes delayed. If you consider in addition to this the cost of adjustment, it makes sense to adjust the correct operation of the door yourself. This will require a simple set of tools, including:
- pliers or pliers;
- two screwdrivers - flat and cross-shaped;
- hexagons - L-shaped keys with sizes from 2.5 to 5 mm;
- plastic gaskets;
- roulette.
pressure adjustment process
This process eliminates the gaps that have arisen through which the draft leaks.
Most often, the clamping force can be adjusted only by rotating the eccentric screws, which are located at the end of the door leaf. Near the screw with a recess for the hexagon there is a special mark - a dot in the form of a small notch, which helps to determine the density of the clamp. If it is necessary to loosen the clamping force, the screw turns with a mark to the frame, and when strengthened, vice versa, to the room.
Difficulties may arise due to the fact that there are usually three such eccentrics - top, bottom and in the middle. Therefore, it is necessary to act by experiment, turning the screws at the same angle. After each installation of a new position, it is necessary to control the result.
Please note: these screws provide good clamping only near the handle. In practice, there may be a need for additional adjustment near the canopies. In this case, the adjustment is carried out with hexagon screws located at the top of the two hinges (upper and lower).
Important! The design of the doors may differ, sometimes the pressure adjustment is carried out using a special pin, which is turned with pliers, to increase the clamping force, it must be placed perpendicular to the door leaf.
Eliminate horizontal and vertical offset
The door may deviate from the desired position horizontally or vertically. The adjustment in each of these cases will be different.
Vertical offset
At the bottom of each hinge are adjustment screws with a 5 mm hex socket. They are responsible for moving the canvas vertically. In this case, to move up or down, you need to adjust all three screws.
Rotation to the right (clockwise) is to raise the door. Two turns are usually sufficient for adjustment.
If you need to adjust the strikers and install them in a new, shifted up or down position, you will need a flat screwdriver and a 2.5 mm hexagon.
When adjusting the main striker, if the movement of the striker is not sufficient, a Phillips screwdriver is required.
There are times when there is not enough screw travel to complete the adjustment. In this case, you need to "pull out" the door. To do this, you need to remove the plastic glazing beads and insert pre-prepared plastic spacers into the space between the profile and the double-glazed window, without applying much effort.
If the implementation of the adjustment process is not understandable, then it is better to call a specialist and entrust him with this work. In this case, you will have the opportunity to observe how a professional makes adjustments, so that if problems occur again, you can adjust yourself.
Until recently, plastic doors were used only in shopping centers and offices. Later, this element migrated to apartments and private houses, where it took its rightful place in the hallway, hall and balcony. Unlike wood, plastic excludes the penetration of dust and noise, is not afraid of water and is available in various colors. The material is easy to care for, so this is a justified choice. But even a well-made and assembled structure is not a guarantee of durability. Therefore, timely adjustment of the plastic door is of great importance.
What is plastic door adjustment
Under the adjustment of a plastic door is understood the process of checking and bringing its functional characteristics (opening / closing, pressing force) to the required values. Adjustment should begin when you notice the first signs of improper door operation. If the moment is missed, then there is a risk of breakage of the door leaf with the need to replace it, which will require quite significant financial costs. Experts agree that preventive inspection of a plastic door should be carried out no more than once a year. More frequent repairs are fraught with increased wear of hardware and sealing elements.
Types of adjustment
The adjustment includes adjusting the position of the door leaf and repairing the door hardware. In the first case, the following types of work are distinguished:
- vertical adjustment designed to eliminate the problem of plastic door sagging due to its own weight;
- horizontal adjustment, the purpose of which is to eliminate the friction of the door on the threshold;
- front pressure adjustment, carried out seasonally (summer and winter) to reduce or increase the gap between the leaf and the door frame.
Plastic doors are adjustable in three directions: vertical, horizontal or frontal
Special attention should be paid to repairing handles, locks, hinges and other fittings. When the rotary knob has a tight stroke, it is not so easy to use it, especially if a child lives in the house who cannot physically close the door all the way. From the slightest impulse, the sash swings open. The opposite situation is a loose handle, leading to drafts.
Reasons for adjusting doors
There are several reasons for the need for adjustment.
- Shrinkage of the building. This is a natural process that occurs only in new buildings.
- Incorrect operation of the door. Hanging foreign objects on the handle and canvas, abrupt opening and slamming of the door increase the load on the hinges.
- Door sagging under its own weight. Although plastic doors are classified as light, gravity has not yet been canceled.
- Sudden and frequent changes in temperature. These phenomena lead to depressurization of the door system.
How to understand that the door needs adjustment
The obvious sign that the door needs to be repaired is the infiltration of cold air and noise into the enclosed space. Difficulties with opening the doors also signal problems. Finally, a lot of trouble can be caused by condensate accumulating on glass or slopes as a result of the formation of gaps between the door and the frame.
For lovers of practical methods, special tricks are offered to assess the condition of the door.
- Gap check. To do this, a sheet of paper is laid between the ajar sash and the door frame. The door is closed to the stop, moving the handle to the lower position. With a hermetic arrangement of the canvas relative to the box, it is very difficult to remove the sheet. If there is a gap between a pair of elements, then the paper is easily removed.
If the gap is adjusted correctly, the paper will come out with a noticeable effort.
- Skew check. The assessment begins with the fact that the perimeter of the sash is marked with a pencil on the door frame with the door closed. The edges of the door leaf serve as a ruler. After that, the door is opened and the parallelism of the bottom of the opening and the outlined line are compared. If the parallelism is broken, then the door needs to be adjusted. A similar comparison can be made using the building level. To do this, a level is applied to the horizontal and vertical parts of the open door. According to the deviation of the instrument indicators, the actual skew is determined. To determine the skew of the door frame, measure its diagonals. They must be equal to each other.
To assess the curvature of a PVC door, a standard bubble level with three flasks, a simple pencil and a three-meter tape measure are suitable
- Checking the immobility of the door leaf in the open state. Open the door to an angle of about 45 o and leave it in that position. If the door spontaneously slams shut or opens even more, then this is a signal for adjustment. Of course, during the test, the influence of wind must be excluded.
If a door slightly opened at an angle of about 45 degrees spontaneously opens or closes, it must be adjusted
Is it possible to adjust the plastic door yourself
With proper installation, the need to regulate a PVC profile door will not come soon. But in the presence of malfunctions, repairs cannot be postponed. If the product is covered by the warranty period, then you must contact the company that installed the door. Independent intervention in the design will remove the door from the guarantee. The specialists who went to the place will eliminate the defects free of charge without damaging the door mechanisms.
Adjusting the door on your own makes sense only after the end of the warranty period. This is a simple matter, you can set up a plastic door yourself, especially since many manufacturers attach instructions to their products with a detailed description of this process. But before starting work, it is necessary to clearly understand the structure of the plastic door and its main components.
Before you start adjusting the PVC door, always look at the warranty card so as not to violate the rules for using the product.
Any plastic door consists of a base unit and replaceable spare parts, among which there are mandatory (handles, hinges) and optional (lock, closers) fittings. In general, the design of a plastic door can be divided into the following nodes:
Photo gallery: adjustable elements of a plastic door
With the help of rotary pins, the clamping of the plastic door is adjusted 
Handles for plastic doors can be fixed or rotary 
The hinges are subjected to heavy loads, so they are made of metal or Teflon 
Adjustable plastic doors of any design and degree of complexity
The tool you need to adjust plastic doors
To reduce the complexity of the adjustment, you should prepare a set of necessary tools in advance. The minimum standard kit should include the following fixtures.
- L-shaped keys with a hexagonal cross section. If there are no such items in the home arsenal, then you can buy them in building supplies stores. It is better to take several sizes - from 1.5 to 5 mm. The estimated cost of the set is 400–500 rubles.
- Screwdriver flat and Phillips. Can be replaced with a screwdriver with suitable bits. The most commonly used nozzles are labeled TX and T.
- Pliers or pliers.
A real lifesaver in adjusting doors is a hex wrench, also called a furniture wrench.
If the plastic door has not been used for a long time, then when turning, the door hinges may creak. In this case, machine oil or WD-40 technical aerosol will come to the rescue. They not only eliminate rust deposits, but also reduce friction in moving mechanisms. A can of WD-40 grease comes with a thin plastic tube nozzle. Its compact size makes it ideal for door hinges and locks.
WD-40 is available in the form of an aerosol or oil, for doors it is better to use the first option
Table: types and purpose of adjustment tools
Instructions for various types of adjustment
Inexperienced craftsmen may decide that adjusting a PVC door is a complex procedure that requires special knowledge. But in practice, you just need to find a mechanism that needs tuning. And the instructions below will help you quickly and efficiently carry out repairs.
How to straighten a sagging door
A sagging door is very easy to recognize - its edges cling to the vertical post of the door frame, and when closed, a gap is formed from above. Technically, the adjustment of such a door and the resulting distortion is reduced to changing the gap between the leaf and the hinge assembly. The process is similar to that used when adjusting the sashes of plastic windows. To eliminate the skew, a horizontal adjustment is used, which allows you to pull the sash to the right or left.
The procedure for adjusting a sagging door will be as follows.
- We find a horizontal screw for adjustment in the lower loop. It is hidden at the very bottom of the hinge from the side of the frame.
By turning the screw, it is possible to achieve displacement of the door leaf to the door lock
- We install a hexagon in it and turn it to the right or left. Turning clockwise will bring the sash closer to the hinge, and counterclockwise - move it away.
After completing the horizontal adjustment, check the door for free opening and closing.
- We open the door at an angle of 90 o or more and find a loop on the top of the sash. Structurally, the mechanism is different from what is located below. But it has a similar hole for a hex key. We install the appropriate tool in it and turn it, bringing the door leaf closer or further away from the axis of rotation. The screws should be rotated until the door stops clinging to the threshold.
To eliminate sagging, it is enough to turn the key 1-2 times
Video: adjusting a sagging plastic door
How to adjust the plastic door in height
If dents or scuffs are noticeable on the door seals, then it's time to adjust the sash in height. To do this, tighten the bottom loop.
The sequence of actions performed is as follows.
- We find in the door structure the lower hinge with adjusting screws. Usually they are hidden by a protective and decorative overlay. The latter must be removed by slightly pulling it towards you and up. Plastic dries out and cracks over time, so we do everything very carefully.
The decorative trim must be gently pulled towards you and up.
- Removing the trim, we get access to the screw for vertical adjustment. We install a suitable hex key in its head (in most cases - 4 mm). Turning the key clockwise allows you to raise the canvas, and counterclockwise - to lower.
Some manufacturers use a star hole instead of a hex hole
How to change the clamping force of a plastic door
It is recommended to adjust the pressure of the plastic door twice a year: decrease in summer to improve ventilation, and increase in winter to save heat in the room. Spontaneous weakening of pressure in any of the seasons can occur for two reasons:
- wear of sealing rubber bands that lose their volume over time;
- deformations caused by the temperature gradient.
The use of a high-quality seal is a guarantee of the tightness of the door structure.
The consequence of the weakening of the clamp are gaps between the frame and the door itself, leading to loss of sound insulation and heat. The way out can be to replace the seal, described below, or adjust the corresponding fittings.
Small cylinders located at the end of the sash in the grooves of the plugs act as an adjusting mechanism. They are called eccentrics. One plastic door can have up to seven pressure points. Opposite the eccentrics is a response mechanism. To adjust the pressure density, adjust the eccentrics.
The sequence of actions for adjusting the door pressure consists of several steps.
- We find all the clamps on the plastic door. They can be located not only on the outside, but also on the inside of the sash and even on top. On their front side there is a hole for a hex key, a slot for a screwdriver or a smooth part with flats for gripping with pliers.
The design of the eccentric depends on the hardware manufacturer
- To increase the pressure, the eccentric is turned clockwise, and to loosen it, counterclockwise. The entire set of eccentrics must be in the same position, otherwise the door may warp.
The position of the eccentric in the middle of the groove corresponds to the normal clamping
Video: plastic door pressure adjustment
How to replace the seal to improve pressure
If, after turning the eccentrics, a draft walks around the room, then it is necessary to replace the seal. To do this, a new rubber profile with a cross section and width similar to the old one is purchased in a hardware store. Good quality is noted for silicone gaskets from Germany, a slightly more budgetary way out is the purchase of ethylene-propylene rubber. To fix the profile, an adhesive composition for rubber is required.
Replacing the seal comes down to a number of activities.
- The old seal is completely removed, the remnants are removed from the groove of the PVC door with a knife.
- The groove for the seal is degreased and covered with an adhesive mass, which is applied with a continuous tape.
- Installation of a new rubber cord starts from the corner, the material does not stretch or compress when laying.
The seal easily comes out of the groove - just hook the material with a screwdriver and pull it towards you
Handle adjustment
Adjusting the handle is considered the easiest operation to restore a plastic door. In everyday life, two types of handle malfunctions are common: hanging or tight running. The principle of troubleshooting is the same.
- Rotate by 90 o the protective insert covering the handle mount. This will give you access to the adjustment screws.
The cap that covers the screws is made of plastic, so turn it carefully
- If the handle is loosened, then tighten the opened screws with a screwdriver or screwdriver. If the handle is tight, then loosen the mount in the same way.
For double-leaf structures, the adjustment of the handles is carried out in turn
- Replace the protective insert after adjustment. If tightening the screws does not eliminate the play in the connection, then there is a crack in the handle body. In this case, you can not do without buying new fittings.
Video: handle adjustment
Adjusting the correct position of the loops
Adjustment of hinges of plastic doors is carried out in two directions: vertically and horizontally. Vertical adjustment is described in the paragraph on setting the door leaf in height. Therefore, consider the process of horizontal regulation.
- Open the door and remove the screws from all the hinges using a 3mm Allen key.
- Remove the decorative trims to get to the adjustment screws.
- Turn the screws on all hinges the same number of turns.
The maximum amount of horizontal adjustment is 2-3mm
Video: bottom loop adjustment
How to adjust the lock on a plastic door
The PVC door is characterized by a multi-layer construction, which is different from the device of glass or wooden doors. Therefore, castles have their own characteristics and nuances. It is better to entrust the installation of a door lock for a plastic door to professionals, and making a small adjustment is a feasible task for independent implementation. The most common for entrance and interior PVC doors are mortise locks, and for balcony doors - latches on rollers.
The plan to restore the lock to working capacity depends on the type of mechanism.
- For mortise locks, the adjustment consists in tightening the screws installed on the main and auxiliary (reciprocal) parts of the lock. A suitable tool is a Phillips screwdriver. After tightening, it is necessary to check the lock for compliance with its parts to each other. To do this, close the door and make sure that the tongue enters the groove on the counterpart.
The mortise lock for a plastic door has special screws with which you can adjust it
- For balcony latches, adjustment is carried out by tightening the screw located above the latch with a 4 mm hex key. To loosen the pressure of the protruding part of the latch to the mating part, the key is turned clockwise, to strengthen the pressure - counterclockwise.
To adjust the latch, it is enough to make no more than two turns of the hex head screw
Video: self-adjusting Maco balcony latch
Adjustment of double-leaf plastic doors
Double-leaf plastic doors are mostly installed at the entrance to the building, and in new houses with an improved layout, they frame the entrance area of the balcony. A prerequisite for their installation is that the width of the doorway must be at least 90 cm. Structurally, such a door consists of a “leading” and “slave” sash. The first, movable, is equipped with a handle and locking fittings, and the second is fixed and opens if necessary. The sash mechanism is responsible for locking and unlocking the "slave" sash.
Shtulp is always installed on the inactive sash
The adjustment of a door with two leaves does not fundamentally differ from a single-leaf door, with the exception of the adjustment of the faceplate. Depending on the nature of the problem, the adjustment consists of the following steps.
Is it possible to do without adjusting the door
In the experience of many people, the question of adjusting a plastic door arises when a real problem appears. Can this phenomenon be prevented? Unfortunately, it will not be possible to completely avoid adjustment, but there are several factors that affect its frequency. Among them, we highlight the main ones.
- The correct choice of hinges has a significant effect on the sagging of the door. Depending on the weight of the structure, there are hinges designed for a load of 80 kg or 160 kg. The heavier the fabric, the more loops should be. The average value of the loop work cycle is 200 thousand openings and closings.
- A reliable way to avoid subsidence of a plastic door is to install a microlift. It consists of a movable bar fixed on the door leaf and a fixed bar mounted on the frame. When the door is closed, both parts engage, slightly lifting the door leaf and reducing the load on the hinges.
The use of a microlift extends the life of hinges, handles and seals
- Several times a year, the fittings must be lubricated. To do this, in no case should you use improvised means (vegetable oil, petroleum jelly, margarine). It is best to apply mineral, synthetic oil or special compounds for PVC windows and doors to rubbing mechanisms.
In the case of liquid lubrication, it is enough to pour 2-3 drops of oil into the mechanism
- Wind protection is provided by rubber elements. For good clamping, the seal must be cleaned of dirt and smeared with a silicone pencil. This keeps the rubber elastic.
The composition of the care products for the seal should not contain aggressive substances
Installing a plastic door is a simple and effective way to give the room comfort, increase noise and heat insulation. But all PVC doors eventually sag under their own weight, so they need periodic adjustment. If you feel that the door has become difficult to open or let cold air through, then do not panic and call the locksmiths. If the door is not under warranty, then with a careful study of the adjustment instructions, you can independently restore the performance of this design.
Every day the door on the balcony is subjected to repeated opening-closing cycles. It is not surprising that over time, even reliable fittings fail. In case of insufficient pressure on the frame, jamming of the sash or incorrect reaction to the position of the handle, do not rush to contact the service department. These problems are solved by a simple adjustment of the plastic balcony door, for which it is not necessary to be a professional. It is enough to have a hex wrench at hand and the knowledge gained after reading this manual.
Most problems with a plastic balcony door can be fixed on your own.
Before considering how to adjust plastic balcony doors, let's look at their design and principle of operation. The main components here are: a double-glazed window, a metal-plastic frame and a tilt-and-turn fitting. The latter is responsible for opening, closing and tilting the sash.
The design of plastic doors and windows is identical. The only difference is their size and location.
Balcony fittings is a tape mechanism located along the perimeter of the door leaf. Management is carried out by a handle, the rotation of which leads to the movement of cylindrical locks relative to the reciprocal plates installed on the fixed frame. The canvas is attached to the frame with special hinges that can withstand the load created by a heavy metal-plastic frame with a double-glazed window.
Tilt&Turn fittings are manufactured in such a way as to ensure convenient operation and easy setup. products For this, the mechanism is supplied with several adjusting bolts that allow you to:
- increase or decrease the clamping of the canvas to the frame;
- lower or raise the sash;
- adjust the position of the balcony door horizontally.
The location of the adjustment elements of the plastic balcony door
Problems with a plastic door and methods for their elimination
Standard problems are solved by point adjustment. Almost all manufacturers produce plastic balcony doors using the same technology, so the mechanism setting is identical.
Pressure adjustment for insufficient sound and heat insulation
Plastic door and window structures are distinguished by a high level of sound insulation and thermal insulation. If the sound from the street quietly penetrates into the room, and in winter it is also accompanied by a cold air flow around the perimeter of the seal, the owners sin on the quality of the structure, making claims to the manufacturing company. Usually the manufacturer has nothing to do with it, and the problem arises due to the weak pressure of the sash against the frame.
The clamping of the web is carried out by special eccentrics (pins) of a cylindrical shape. They are placed on the vertical ends - 4 on the front (on the side of the handle) and 2 on the back (on the side of the hinges). Another 1 eccentric is located on top, directly on the scissors that hold the sash in tilt mode.
Depending on the hardware manufacturer, the appearance of the pins may vary slightly.
Inside the trunnion there is a hole with six sides, which allows you to adjust the plastic balcony door with a hex key. If you turn the eccentric for the most part towards the rubber seal, the pressure will be maximum, respectively, if a smaller part - minimum. The difference between the extreme positions of the trunnion is 2 mm, so the effect is noticeable.
If desired, the eccentrics can be adjusted several times a year. In winter, set the maximum pressure, in summer the minimum, and in spring / autumn, set the trunnion to the middle position.
Pressure adjustment according to the season
The door to the balcony does not close well - sagged / sagged
Often a situation arises when the door leaf rubs against the frame, which forces more effort to close the balcony. Adjusting the hinges (upper or lower) will help to cope with such a problem.
The upper hinge is provided with an adjusting bolt, which can be reached by opening the sash 90°. Turning the bolt clockwise pulls the upper edge of the web to the loop. Accordingly, counterclockwise rotation of the bolt causes the opposite effect - the upper edge moves away from the loop.
Adjusting the hinge of a plastic balcony door is carried out with the same tool as setting the trunnions
The bottom hinge has the same screw to adjust the horizontal position of the bottom edge. At the same time, adjustment can be made both from the outside and from the inside. In both cases, you need to rotate the screw with the door open and check its operation after every 2 turns.
Adjust the lower loop most often from the inside, since the slope interferes with the outside
The lower hinge performs another function - it allows you to lower or raise the sash. For this, a vertical screw is located at the top of the mechanism. To get to it, you must first remove the decorative trim. Turning the screw clockwise raises the door leaf, while turning it counterclockwise lowers it.
Vertical adjustment can be made when the balcony door is in the locked position or tilt mode
It is important to strike a balance in the process of adjusting the position of the sash, because fixing a problem in one place, you can get it in another. It is advisable to immediately determine exactly where the canvas rubs against the frame and, based on this, adjust the upper or lower loop.
Tip: it is enough to make 2 turns of the adjusting bolt to see the effect and understand in which direction to move on.
Opening the door in two positions at once
Incorrect adjustment of the fittings can lead to the opening of the balcony door in two modes at once - rotary and inclined. This can happen in the following cases.
In tilt mode, the bottom corner of the sash is not fixed
If, when the handle is turned up, the door leaf not only leans back into the ventilation mode, but also opens completely, most likely the bottom of the sash has shifted towards the hinge. At the bottom of the butt on the side of the handle there is a special lock that fixes the angle in tilt mode. For it to work correctly, the lock must be included in the counterpart located on the frame. If the angle is excessively shifted, fixation does not occur, and the door opens in any position of the handle.
To fix the problem yourself, adjust the bottom hinge of the balcony door. Following the technology described in the previous section, slightly remove the door leaf from the hinge, thereby bringing the “problem” corner closer to the counterpart of the lock.
For the normal operation of the lock, perhaps a couple of millimeters are not enough, so you should check the result after each turn
In turn mode, the door tilts at the same time
The problem lies in the sagging of the door leaf, in which the clamping eccentric, located on the scissors, does not reach the counterpart and does not fix the upper corner in the rotary mode. Therefore, when the handle is in a horizontal position, the sash not only rotates, but also tilts.
The solution to the problem is simple. It is enough to slightly lift the door in the closed state so that the upper eccentric falls into the groove of the counterpart and fixes the angle. The procedure is performed by adjusting the lower loop.
To eliminate unintended tilt, it is enough to make a few turns clockwise
PVC door handle adjustment
How to tighten a loose handle in 1 minute:
Self-maintenance of a balcony plastic door
In order for the plastic balcony door to work properly for a long time, in addition to proper adjustment, periodically lubricate the seal and fittings. Manufacturers recommend lubricating these components at least once a year, before the start of the cold season.
Seal lubrication
The rubber seal can quickly dry out and crack if it is not lubricated in time. In addition, dry rubber often sticks to the plastic frame, which leads to an unpleasant sound when the sash is opened.
Without lubrication, the seal will have to be changed every 2-3 years. Whereas with regular maintenance, its service life can be increased up to 10 years.
The procedure is carried out using silicone grease, after cleaning the rubber from dirt and debris. Liquid silicone is applied to a dry surface with a sponge or soft cloth. Some masters use an aerosol for such purposes. However, in this case, the consumption will be an order of magnitude higher, since part of the material will be sprayed in vain, settling on furniture and interior items.
The best option for lubricating a rubber seal is a container with a foam tip
Hardware lubrication
Jamming of the opening / closing mechanism is often caused by insufficient lubrication of the fittings. For such purposes, it is most convenient to use WD-40 lubricant, which has a high penetrating power. Lubricate all locks located around the perimeter of the door leaf, including the main mechanism to which the handle is attached. Also pay attention to scissors and loops.
After greasing, close the door and by turning the handle several times actuate the lock mechanism. This will help the lubricant penetrate into remote corners.
The WD-40 container is equipped with a thin nozzle for spot lubrication in hard-to-reach places
Video: detailed instructions from an expert on pvc windows and doors
Self-adjustment and maintenance of a plastic balcony door is easy to perform. To cope with the task, it is enough to imagine where the adjustment and lubrication points are, and also to have the desire to put the work of the door structure in order.
Sections of the article:
Plastic doors have been on the market for more than two decades. Today they are very popular with consumers due to their affordability and practicality. Door structures made of this material are easier to design and manufacture. They are light in weight and good tightness, they are easier to care for. Therefore, many users are interested in how to adjust plastic doors in case of drawdown or skew on their own. The video instruction in this article will help you understand the issue.
The need to adjust plastic doors
Adjustment of PVC doors includes a procedure for checking the operational functions of the structure and bringing them to the required indicators (ease of opening and closing the door, tightly pressing the leaf to the box, sealing). The regulation of a plastic door must be carried out at the slightest sign of its malfunctioning in order to prevent a complete failure of the structure.
Adjustment options
When adjusting PVC doors, the position of the leaf leaf is usually adjusted and the fittings are repaired or replaced.
Possible options for adjusting the door leaf:
- If the plastic structure sagged under its own weight, vertical adjustment is carried out;
- If there is friction of the canvas on the threshold of the doorway, a horizontal adjustment is performed;
- To adjust the gaps between the box and the PVC leaf of the door structure, front adjustment is carried out. This is a seasonal procedure, which is carried out for the winter and for the summer, respectively, the gap decreases or increases.
Accessories are given special attention. This can be repairing or replacing a door lock, adjusting hinges, handles, and other fittings.
For example, if the doorknob closes and opens the door very tightly, it is quite difficult for the child to cope with it. As a result, he simply may not turn the handle to the end, and the door leaf will open from a gust of wind. And, on the contrary, a loose handle contributes to the appearance of a draft. Therefore, it is important to know how do-it-yourself plastic doors are regulated.
Reasons for adjustment
The reasons for adjusting the plastic door may be different. The design can sag under its own weight, despite the fact that it is made of lightweight material.
Failure may result from improper use of the product. For example, a sharp opening and closing of the door leaf (an additional load on the hinges is created), hanging third-party items (clothes and other things) on the open door leaf or rotary handles.
The door structure can warp due to the subsidence of the house itself. This is a standard process for newly erected buildings. And the depressurization of the plastic door system can be affected by constant temperature changes.
Instructions for adjusting PVC doors
Adjustment of the plastic door can be done completely independently without the involvement of a master. This is a fairly simple procedure that does not require special knowledge and skills. You just need to follow the instructions for setting up a specific mechanism for the door structure.
Leveling a sagging door
If the edges of the door leaf cling to the vertical rack of the frame, and a gap is observed from above when the sash is closed, then the door has sagged and needs to be adjusted.
Due to the skew of the structure, the gap between the hinge and the sash has changed. To eliminate this problem, the horizontal adjustment of the PVC door leaf is used. In the process of adjustment, the sash must be pulled to the left or right.
To adjust the lower hinge assembly, you need to find a special horizontal screw, which is located on the side of the frame at the bottom of the hinge.
Next, a special hex key is installed in this screw and rotated left - right. To move the door leaf away from the hinge, the hexagon must be turned counterclockwise, and to approach it, on the contrary, clockwise.
The door is then opened more than 90 degrees to expose the top hinge of the door leaf. The design of the upper mechanism is different from the lower hinge assembly, but it also has a hole for inserting a hexagon.
It is necessary to insert a special key into the hole and start turning to the right or left to shift the blade relative to the axis of rotation in the required direction. That is, the screw is turned until the lower end of the canvas stops clinging to the door sill.
If a plastic door has sagged in an apartment or a private house, then the video guide will most clearly tell you how to adjust it with your own hands.
Height adjustment
The height adjustment of the sash is carried out when scuffs and dents are observed on the sealing elements of the door structure. To correct this shortcoming, it is necessary to tighten the loop located at the bottom of the canvas.
Adjusting the plastic door with your own hands in height is carried out in several steps.
Before starting to adjust the door, it is necessary to find the adjustment screws located in the lower hinge assembly of the door. They are most often closed with a special decorative overlay, which can be easily removed. To do this, you must first pull it slightly towards you, then up.
After removing the overlay, free access to the screw is opened, which is responsible for the vertical adjustment of the canvas. Next, a special hexagon of a suitable size is selected under the screw head (most often this is a 4 mm key). If the key is turned counterclockwise, the sash will fall vertically down and rise up when the hex is turned clockwise.
Changing the clamping force
It is recommended to adjust the pressure of the PVC door twice a year. For the winter, the canvas must be pressed more tightly against the frame in order to keep the room warm. Then, in the summer, to improve natural ventilation, the pressure is loosened.
The clamp is able to weaken spontaneously at any time due to deformation of the plastic structure as a result of significant temperature changes or wear of rubber seals.
When the pressure is weakened, cracks appear between the leaf and the door frame, contributing to the loss of heat-insulating and sound-insulating qualities. To eliminate this shortcoming, it is necessary to replace the sealing elements of the structure or adjust the corresponding parts of the fittings.
Adjustment of plastic door fittings is independently carried out using special cylindrical mechanisms, which are located in the grooves of the plugs on the end of the door leaf. They are called eccentrics. The following instructions with pictures will help you understand the essence of the action.
One plastic door can be equipped with seven such devices, opposite each of which there is a response mechanism. With the help of eccentrics, the density of pressing the web to the frame is adjusted.
Adjustment of clamping devices is carried out in several stages. First you need to find all the pressure points. They can be placed on top, on the inside and outside of the door leaf at the same time. Each mechanism has a slot for a screwdriver, a hole for a hex key, or a smooth part with flats for pliers.
To loosen the clamp, the eccentric is turned counterclockwise, and, conversely, to strengthen it, the regulator must be turned in the opposite direction. To prevent the door leaf from warping, all eccentrics are installed in the same position.
Seal replacement
If, after adjusting the eccentrics, there is a draft in the room, then the door seal must be replaced.
Before you adjust the plastic doors and change the sealing gum yourself, you need to purchase a new seal, but the same as the old one. Sealing materials for plastic structures of different widths and sections are on sale.
It is recommended to purchase German gaskets made of silicone. They are more reliable and durable, respectively, are more expensive. But, there is also a good budget option - a sealant made of ethylene-propylene rubber. To fix the profile seal, a special glue for rubber is used.
The procedure for replacing the seal is not complicated, so such repairs can be done by hand. After removing the old seal, it is important to carefully clean the grooves into which it was inserted and degrease the surface.
Further, along the entire length of the groove, an adhesive mixture is applied with a continuous tape and a new sealing gum is inserted. Laying the seal starts from the corner. In this case, the rubber gasket must not be stretched or compressed, it must lie on the adhesive in a free state.
Handle adjustment
When restoring the working functions of a PVC door, the simplest procedure is to adjust the handle. This element of the door structure can have two types of problems: a tight move or a swinging knob. However, the troubleshooting process is the same.
The handle is covered with a protective insert. It must be rotated 90 degrees to gain free access to the adjustment screws. If the handle is loose, the screws must be tightened with a screwdriver or a regular screwdriver. In the event of a tight movement of the door hardware element, the screws are slightly loosened. After completing the adjustment work, the protective insert returns to its original position.
If tightening the adjusting screws did not help eliminate the play of the rotary mechanism, then there is a crack in the handle body. In this case, the product must be replaced.
Adjusting the rotary handle of a plastic door with your own hands on the video:
Loop setting
Plastic door hinges can be adjusted horizontally and vertically. The vertical adjustment of the hinges is carried out in the same way as the adjustment of the PVC door leaf in height.
To perform horizontal adjustment, it is necessary to open the door leaf, unscrew the screws from all hinges. To do this, you need a 3 mm hex wrench. Next, the decorative trims are removed, access to the adjustment screws is opened. On all hinges, each of these screws must be turned the same number of times.
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