Common Problems With Sliding Window

Common Problems With Sliding Window – Sliding windows problems mainly occur when the sliding of the window starts to jam or when there are gaps between the panes and frames of glass, also known as fretting. When the sliding jam occurs, the whole window will not be able to be opened. Read on to learn more.

Common Causes of Sliding Window Problems

1. Sill

The sill is the frame that the bottom edge of the sliding window rests on. Over time, water can seep between the sill and the glass or opening of the track and cause an expansion joint to form. This causes friction and can lead to jamming. When this happens, users need to lift on the window a little before pushing it down again for it to move smoothly back into place.

Solution: This occurs most commonly with aluminium windows. Some users have stated that they have fixed the issue by sanding down the expansion joint and hardening it with epoxy, but some have said that this has caused further issues.

2. Glass door operation

When the glass door of your window is not operating properly, it can jam during the sliding process. The rubber strips between the frame and glass panel can tear or get stuck to each other, causing problems when trying to open or close the window. There are two solutions to this problem:

Solution: This problem can be fixed by cleaning the rubber strips, making sure that they are not torn and the glass panes do not stick to each other.

3. Misalignment of Sliding Window Tracks

If the window tracks are misaligned, it will not allow you to slide the window open or closed smoothly anymore. This will cause a jam at some point in the sliding process. This problem can be caused by the windows sagging over time and the tracks sliding out of place.

Solution: Misalignment of your sliding window tracks can be corrected by resetting the track to its original position using a screwdriver to release and tighten screws on the sides.

4. Improper lubrication

Lubricating your sliding window can help with moving the glass smoothly back and forth. Noisy sliding can be fixed by proper lubrication. Having the right type of lubricant can also prevent faulty mechanisms that cause friction and jamming.

Solution: A track-lubricating kit can be bought and applied on the tracks of your sliding window. The sliding window can then be opened and closed normally.

Another solution is to contact a professional to properly clean the windows and check for faulty mechanisms and jammed glass panels. A professional will also know how to deal with the issue so that it does not happen again.

5. Poorly sanded and repainted frames

Sanding down the window frames to repaint them and using inferior paint can lead to poor sliding of the window. If there are parts of the frame that are dense, this can cause friction that leads to jamming. This problem is usually worse for aluminium frames since aluminium tends to rust and expand.

Solution: Wet sanding is recommended to ensure that the surface of the frames are sanded down evenly and any unwanted extras are removed. This requires the use of high-quality paint that is suitable for a damp environment.

6. Aluminium Window Frames

Aluminium frames can expand when in contact with moisture over long periods, making it harder to slide the window back and forth. This problem can be caused by window leaks that cause the frames to expand and contract over time, which affects their initial alignment. This causes the aluminium frames to not be able to fit into the sliding mechanism correctly.

Solution: If you have a leaking window and cannot afford to replace it, another solution is to open and close your sliding windows regularly so that new expansion joints do not form at the sills. The more you open your window, the less likely it will jam when in use.

7. Dirty Rollers

Dirty rollers on your window tracks can jam and cause friction that then causes the window to stick. Dirty rollers also misshape the tracks, which will make them no longer able to slide smoothly anymore.

Solution: Clean your sliding window track regularly with a brush so that you can ensure there are no dirt particles or other foreign materials stuck between the track and glass panel.

8. Broken Roller

Broken rollers can cause a jamming effect when sliding the window open and closed. When your roller jams on the track, this will cause over-tightening of the mechanism to try to force it through, which in turn can break the roller.

Solution: If your roller has broken and you are unable to fix it, you can try getting a new one from a car garage. If this is not possible, you should get it replaced by a professional since replacing the track may be difficult and tedious.

9. Broken Glass

If you find that your glass is broken or cracked, there is a chance it will jam when trying to open and close your window. The lack of proper safety glass can cause the frame to bend, causing the window to be unable to slide back and forth properly.

Solution: The only option left is to replace the glass. Another option if cost is an issue is getting a new frame that has been reinforced with a special coating. This can help resist bending and pressure from sliding windows.

10. Improper installation

Improper installation of your sliding window can lead to several issues. The installation process requires some special considerations, especially if you have non-standard windows. The wrong size tracks installed on your system can also cause the window to get stuck or become hard to slide back and forth.

Solution: A professional installer should be contacted to ensure that the installation is done correctly and safely. If there are parts that are not working, you should replace them so that they don’t cause problems when trying to slide the window back and forth.

Common Problems With Sliding Window – Conclusion

The 10 problems listed above are the most common issues affecting sliding windows. The most common problem is the jamming of the window due to the poor lubrication of the track. If your windows are jammed, you should fix them as soon as possible to ensure that you can use them properly.