UPVC window-handle has sheared off!

tiggerjj

Hey,
I have a lodger in my home and I'm currently abroad. He has sent me a very embarrased email saying that the window handle on one of the windows has come off.
Basically he was shutting the window and turning the handle and obviously doesnt know his own strenght, the handle came off in his hand, and from what i understand the metal has sheared, the underside of the broken handle is flat.

So what do i do now? I dont really want to replace the window and I want to window to be lockable in the future.

Actually does that matter, window locks what are they for? how does someone open a window from the outside? I cant work it out? probably just being blonde!

macman

Just buy a new handle, you can probably find something to match here:
http://www.handlestore.com/

tiggerjj

ok, having followed the link (thanks macman) its the spindle that has sheared, so next question is how do i get the old spindle out?

macman

Normally the handle will be held to the frame with a couple of screws, (sometimes concealed under a removable tab on UPVC), undoing those will remove the whole thing and allow access to the spindle hole.

Ben84

tiggerjj wrote: »

Actually does that matter, window locks what are they for? how does someone open a window from the outside? I cant work it out? probably just being blonde!

With a non-locking catch it's possible to break the glass then open the window with the handle, which does actually make it easier and quicker because then there's no need to knock out all the glass pane before climbing in. However, there's also the hazard that lockable windows could in emergencies stop people inside the house getting out easily too.

martyn05

tiggerjj wrote: »

ok, having followed the link (thanks macman) its the spindle that has sheared, so next question is how do i get the old spindle out?

Using long nosed pliers you may be able to grab the spindle and put it out, sometimes though they are in there pretty solid.

Another option is to drill a small pilot hole into the spindle, insert a screw then grab that with pliers and pull it out.

Replacement handles are cheap from Toolstation

tiggerjj

Ben 84, thanks for explaining that one, I was a bit stumped!
martyn05 thanks for the tips, will remember those for when i start to fix it
MSE sorting yet another blonde out!

martyn05

tiggerjj wrote: »

Ben 84, thanks for explaining that one, I was a bit stumped!
martyn05 thanks for the tips, will remember those for when i start to fix it
MSE sorting yet another blonde out!

Your welcome!

littleboo

macman wrote: »

Just buy a new handle, you can probably find something to match here:
http://www.handlestore.com/

Had the same problem which I hadn't got around to dealing with. Used the supplier suggested by macman and got a good match for the handle, delivered next day.I bought 2 and replaced both handles in a bathroom and used one of the bathrooms ones to replace the broken one so that all the handles in a room match. Result.

ormus

screwfix and toolstation sell the most common DG window handles.
pretty cheap and easy to fit.

GlynD

About £7-£10 each in my experience. Some High Street stores have them too.