Advice needed-glazier-removal of window trims?

giddy-aunt

Hi, I live in a house that the windows were replaced ten years ago...(previous owner).
They were originally sash windows and were replaced with normal double glazing.
There is a lot of draught and condensation,with black mouldy damp patches on my sills all upstairs.

I decided to TRY to remove one of the upvc trims around the window in my bedroom and what I did actually get off (very little-was snapping) -had a gaping hole through to outer wall. My plan was to remove trims, fill cavity with spray foam, replace trims seal up-would work beautifully apart from CANT GET B*****Y TRIMS OFF!
I have tried prising,softening sealant/superglue with hairdryer to no avail.Then the hammer came out! :doh:

The trims are only glued on the window frame but are slightly embedded into the wall so I cannot get to it via wall side-ripping the wall to shreds!

Would anyone have any hints /tips on how to melt/soften the sealant which is clear and looks like superglue.

Any advice appreciated.


Cheers

Airwolf1

We used to generally use blades - they are similar to a Stanley Knife blade, but they are rectangle with a double fold over the top and they were ultra sharp, ideal for separating things like this.

Hope you sort something out.

ormus

ive done it as a two man job.
one with the stanley knife cutting the sealant, whilst the other pulling the strip gently away from the wall.

SatanicHare

If they've used an adhesive that's designed for upvc, Stelmax or similar then you'll have problems getting it off i'm afraid

giddy-aunt

Thank you for the advice above...I will go to the local merchants today and see if they have a strong stanley knife-and persevere. I have looked online for something that will soften it but there is only one suggestion-nail varnish remover-will try anything.
Hope to get it done before this minus ten windchill we are apparently getting the weekend!....BRRRR.
Will keep you informed!
Thanks to all who posted.
Much appreciated.

giddy-aunt

Yay!...got it off! :j
I went to our local diy shop,they didnt have strong blades so the nearest tool was a set of 3 wood chisels....and a tiny hammer....got home and started tapping-carefully away at the trim.That was easy.
I managed to do a whole window in less than 20 mins. Just waiting for the window to fall out now!
The draught is very obvious now so Ill be getting the spray foam in there tomorrow after I have hoovered the nasties out.
Now I have to find a place to get new trims from!

Any recommendations for online trims?-(white upvc 3 inch wide)

A womans work is never done eh?

Airwolf1

Won't the trims you've taken off go back on with silicone sealant or anything?

ariba10

Most window makers will sell you trim.

It usually comes in 5 Mtr lengths but they will as a rule, cut whatever length you want. ( Also sell the adhesive).

giddy-aunt

Airwolf1 wrote: »

Won't the trims you've taken off go back on with silicone sealant or anything?

The trims have split into many bits...snapped > very brittle upvc.(ridged on back)
Jim couldnt even fix these...!:rotfl:
I could go and seek out a few local double glazing/upvc companies in Swansea/Llanelli area...I shouldnt think that the trims would cost too much surely?
Thanks again for you support...really does help!

27col

You can probably pick up the trim that you require from Wickes or B&Q. Just see if there is one that resembles what you removed. If not, go to a pvc specialist, you should find one in the phone book. They stock hundreds of different sections of pvc. It should not be a problem to get something to do the job.

giddy-aunt

I got the trims from Travis Perkins...first place I tried so that was great.
I have filled the cavity and trimmed any excess off ready for getting the trims on...what a difference that has made!
There are no draughts at all now.YAY!
Filled 2 windows so far...got another 5 to go!
Going to get some disposable gloves though as all I have been doing this evening is trying to get the dried up foam from my hands-feels like super glue.
I did ask the assistant why the trims snapped and he said that they go brittle as they get older.
Cheers all.