Any UPVC glazing experts?

[Third Opinion]

Basically I am trying to find out how long a unit is expected to last.

I live in an old 70's flat. It has one of those full length front windows which has been replaced with a UPVC half length window, with the other half UPVC white panel. This was don between 20-25 years ago.

Basically the thing has had a history of leaking and has never fitted properly. Over the last 15 years it has been taken out and put back in at least twice.

It has been leaking badly over the last 3 years and I have finally got the Landlords to accept the problem. A glazier and surveyor was sent round and both condemned the unit as cut too small. It is also warped and has been damaged from a mickey mouse emergency glazier who drilled into the frame to board up a window damaged by storms in the past.

I heard from the landlords today to say they are are removing the unit and re-fitting it for a 3rd time. In addition the blown window units will not be replaced for another 18 months due to a backlog and the exterior holes were just cosmetic.

I am at my wits end, the leaking has ruined a carpet and sofa.

Realistically how long do these units last and what sort of stress and damage will be caused to it by being removed and refitted so many times. The thing is an eyesore and just wish it would self destruct.

 

[Nightglow]

Want to post this in 'Home & Garden' section, will more likely get a reply there.

 

[Nitefly]

Want to post this in 'Home & Garden' section, will more likely get a reply there.

Really?

 

[Maccapacca]

End of life

Plastic probably 20 25 years

Iirc my life cycle costing from University

 

[Nightglow]

Want to post this in 'Home & Garden' section, will more likely get a reply there.

Really?

Nitefly: It was posted in 'General Discussion' originally, then some nice mod moved it.


As to the OP's problem, it's time for a complete new window, utterly pointless keep refitting it.

 

[Johno please?]

The PVC will outlast you

Its the hinges and other things which will break.

By unit, do you mean the whole window? or just the glass?

 

[Orionaut]

OTOH, the wooden windows in my Brothers house are over 200 years old! (as is most of the glass!)

Tsk! Modern Technology!

 

[Nightglow]

The PVC will outlast you

True, but OP been told the window is too small for the opening, it's warped, better to completely replace it.

 

[Mark A]

OTOH, the wooden windows in my Brothers house are over 200 years old! (as is most of the glass!)

Tsk! Modern Technology!

They used to use really dense, slow grown, air dried timber in them days. Now they use very fast growing species, that create a much less dense timber that is prone to rot and insect attack.

I have taken out 100+ year old windows that were absolutely fine and taken out 3 year old windows that were rotten...


Regarding the pvc window, it probably needs the gaskets renewing and new hinges and locks. It should work good as new then, although by the sounds of it it sounds like it looks a mess so replacing the whole thing would be best.

I'm wondering if the drain holes are blocked and that could be why its leaking.

 

[Third Opinion]

Should give you an update. Sorry for posting in the wrong section.

They came out the other day to re-fit the unit. They were accompanied with the surveyor working for the company owning my place.

After a lot of arguments between the fitters and the surveyor they agreed to take the large UPVC panel out at the bottom. The fitters originally wanted to just stick silicone round it again.

They get the panel about 90% out and low and behold the whole panel cracks and the window frame cracks from the middle to the top cracking the window.

Now I have a further 3 weeks wait for a whole new unit. LOL, it was pretty funny.

 

[Nightglow]

Someone up there loves you.

Told you that you need a complete new window, at least it will fit the opening properly this time.