re-sealing upvc windows and front door

LauraLeah91104

i am looking for advise on re-sealing my upvc units and front door. they r all in gud working order, no misted units etc, but the sealant both inside and outside of the are old and probably the original stuff from when windows were installed in 2001. the old sealant on the inside is mucky and discoloured and i dont think works anymore as i can always feel a draft when stood near windows. the black stripping on the outside is mainly ok, but on the odd window it is gappy in the corners and id like to have that replaced also. I have the same problem with my front door, it shuts and locks ok, but the draft is really bad. i want to get it sorted before the really bad cold weather sets in, otherwise it is pointless having my heating blasting.
Does anyone know of any product that i can buy to attempt to do it myself to save me from high costs to get someone to do it for me. also, anyone have any ideas on a successful way to remove the old sealant around the windows and a suitable product,again, for both interior and exterior, which is tried and tested to use as a new replacement.

many thanks

laura

latecomer

You can buy replacement rubber seals for windows and doors - just search. You need to catch it to what you have though. Silicon sealant can be bought in any DIY place - just make sure you get an external one for outside.

jimbo_the_jetset

Try the local paper or an internet search for UPVC repair 'man'. Probably your best bet I would assume. Unless you have the contact details for the company who originally installed the windows?

LauraLeah91104

thankys guys. i have no idea who fitted the windows, we didnt buy the house until 2005, and the only reason i know they were put in in 2001 is the date stamped on the steel stripping in between the units.
well, i have just rang a repair 'man' just to get an idea, but i would prefer to get all of the one that need replacing done at the same time, then it will b more effective. especially if the cost isnt going to be much different than what i would pay to buy the stuff my self and diy....plus someone who is in the trade will b better at sealing the interior, so they will look better...

quisuisje

hello. im new to this but your thread seems to be the same as my probem.
how much did your repair man quote? and did you go with him or did you do the job yourself? in which case how did it go??
Thanks! Im desperate to resolve the drafts in our house! brrrr so cold!

mcjordi

andrew-b wrote: »

I'll share a little tip passed onto me by my neigbour who used to do the service maintenance for a double glazing company.

He told me that you need to maintain the rubber seals by washing them down once a year with warm water to allow them to return to original shape as they tend to get crushed down over time. So i've followed his advice and refined it a bit further. I get a cloth soaked in warm washing up liquid solution and wipe over the seals making sure to run the cloth down along between the rubber of the seals with a finger to open them out so when you close the door/window they will seal more effectively. I then spray over with silicone spray which stops the seals sticking to the frame and keeps them in good condition. Doesn't take long to do and silicone spray is fairly cheap stuff. I do it in the summer though when it's warm so the seals are more flexible in the heat. I give the hinges on the doors and windows a spray with WD40 occassionally which protects and lubricates them.

A little bit of maintenance now and again can save you money in the long run when you have to replace the seals.

great tip :T ill have to do that when the sun comes back out:rotfl: