A returning customer running a B&B in Hounslow got in touch about a tilt-and-turn window that had been left blocked shut after somebody else had already attempted a repair.
The condition of the window was shocking.
From what I could see, the original problem was likely to have involved the window no longer locking correctly. During the previous attempt, the hinge pin area had been damaged, the upper section of the tilt-and-turn mechanism had been badly bent and parts of the hardware were missing. The window had then effectively been screwed shut through the frame to keep it closed.
I did not want to guess at exactly what had happened before I arrived, but the important point was that the original tilt-and-turn hardware was no longer complete or usable.
I spent roughly a week researching the mechanism and speaking to suppliers, trying to find the correct replacement parts. Unfortunately, nothing suitable could be sourced.
At that point I explained the realistic options to the customer. Replacing the complete window would have been one route, but the customer wanted to retain the existing unit if possible.
The practical compromise was to convert it from tilt-and-turn operation to a simpler side-hinged window. I fitted a suitable top hinge and adapted the setup so the sash could once again be opened and closed safely.
It was not the original functionality I had hoped to restore, and I would much rather have sourced the proper mechanism, but the customer regained a usable window instead of having one permanently screwed shut.
