A customer in Ashford got in touch because a large uPVC bathroom window had badly bent hinges and could no longer be closed properly.
I have dealt with plenty of failed window hinges, but this one was more dramatic than usual. The size and weight of the sash, together with missing hinge screws, meant the customer had been very lucky that the window had not fallen. There was also a side alley below that people regularly used, so getting the sash under control safely was the first priority.
I managed to bring the window close enough to the frame to deglaze it and reduce the weight, then replaced the damaged hinges.
While testing the window afterwards, another fault appeared. One side of the locking mechanism seized. I managed to get the window open again and restore movement on one side, but the worn serrated teeth inside the mechanism had sheared and the original part was obsolete.
The important part of the immediate repair was completed: the new hinges allowed the window to open and close safely again. The locking-mechanism fault still needed a suitable replacement solution, so I was continuing to look for the correct obsolete part rather than pretending the second issue did not exist.
