Help me remove these window restrictors

[Megahurtz400]

Hey all,

Windows on my flat seem to have restrictors on them so only open about an inch.

The property management company have confirmed they won’t be cleaning the outside of the windows and it’s too high to get a ladder up to the them, and they’re absolutely minging now.

Does anyone have any idea on how to remove the restrictors without breaking them so I can clean the outside/get some air through the place?

I’ve tried pressing that little tab that says “press” with a flathead and pushing the window to no avail, maybe I need to push harder? Feels like things are going to snap though.

Any help would be great, cheers

 

[Megahurtz400]

While I can't answer your question, have you looked at getting a private contractor to clean your windows?

Not yet, if I can get these open I can do it myself which obviously will work out cheaper and easier

 

[Megahurtz400]

Press it in and the pull the window towards you a fraction and then open it?

Tried this, can’t get it to move more than a few mm towards me when the screwdriver is in there

 

[Megahurtz400]

That press button looks a bit manky - perhaps it's rusted slightly - give it a tap with an hammer -

Hmmmm - beaten to it again

Will give it a try when I’m home later cheers

 

[Megahurtz400]

is there one on each side?

No, just one on each window on the left hand side.

 

[Megahurtz400]

The windows in my flat had two catches. One would allow the window to open at an angle, more closed at the bottom than the top, presumably to make it easier to climb out in the event of a fire...and another catch that allowed them to open normally. Both reset on close, so you have to do it every time.

These appear to hinge from the very top so don’t think they’d have a system like this

 

[Megahurtz400]

Are you sure they open wider, ie have you seen anyone else with the windows open wider?

I think I’ve seen next doors open a bit wider, maybe 10” instead of 2”, not fully open though.

 

[Megahurtz400]

Surely fire regs mean you must be able to escape via a window. Have you asked your neighbours?
Andi.

3rd story flat so I better work on my roll out landings

According to “the internet’s” as long as they’re breakable by the fire brigade then they pass fire regs, as due to how far up they’re useless as a fire escape until the fire brigade get here anyway.

 

[Megahurtz400]

Try lubing them up and then giving a tap with hammer as suggested above.

Will give them a good old blast of WD40 when I get home!

 

[Megahurtz400]

BOOM!

Liberal amounts of WD40 and a big whack later we have clean windows and a fresh room!

For those that ever find this thread in the future, the entire latch where it says “press” needs to be pressed in, highlighted below:



Then the whole piece pushes in and slides up and down

 

[Megahurtz400]

WD40 and a hammer solves most movement problems, was then a sprung piece of metal behind it to hold it in place?

Yep, the whole piece goes in, and it slots into the square notches on each side when it pops back out, so if you move it above them all the window will open fully