White UPVC window going yellow

olibrofiz

Noticed yesterday that the whole of the bottom edge of one UPVC window frame is now a shade of yellow and it's the same on one of the other windows too plus the glue (?) used along the frame has gone an amber colour. The windows have been in 4 years.

Will get the people that installed them out to have a look but any idea what I should expect them to do?

Thank you

maninthestreet

The frames will need to be replaced.

olibrofiz

That's what I thought, however what are the chances ?

T_T_2

Do you smoke in the house by any chance? If you do then the likely cause is nicotine staining in which case I'm not sure where you would stand with regards to getting them replaced at no cost to you.

Leif

I wonder if bleach would do the job? Perhaps test a small area. I think bleach is okay on UPVC.

T_T_2

Leif wrote: »

I wonder if bleach would do the job? Perhaps test a small area. I think bleach is okay on UPVC

No no and no. Never use bleach (diluted or otherwise) on UPVC (presently called PVCu but both names are acceptable). If they weren't yellow before they will be once you use bleach (or brown). Bleach will start a chemical reaction with the PVCu and cause further staining.

There are different schools of thought on this but many people will recommend using a cream abrasive cleaner (like CIF/JIF or your local supermarket branded replica). It almost certainly will get the frames looking white again but where opinions differ is on the long term effects of using a mild abrasive. Some argue that it will scratch the surface of the PVCu allowing grit and dust to take hold and reduce the lifespan of the frame, others will brush that off as nonsense so it is your call ultimately.

PVCu cleaning products DO exist on the market and can be bought from most DIY sheds or builder's merchants. My advice would be to get in touch with the manufacturer and ask what they recommend to reduce your likelihoof of voiding any warranty. Get it in writing where possible.

Before trying an abrasive a damp cloth is obviously the first port of call with water only.

Leif

T_T wrote: »

No no and no. Never use bleach (diluted or otherwise) on UPVC (presently called PVCu but both names are acceptable). If they weren't yellow before they will be once you use bleach (or brown). Bleach will start a chemical reaction with the PVCu and cause further staining.

There are different schools of thought on this but many people will recommend using a cream abrasive cleaner (like CIF/JIF or your local supermarket branded replica). It almost certainly will get the frames looking white again but where opinions differ is on the long term effects of using a mild abrasive. Some argue that it will scratch the surface of the PVCu allowing grit and dust to take hold and reduce the lifespan of the frame, others will brush that off as nonsense so it is your call ultimately.

PVCu cleaning products DO exist on the market and can be bought from most DIY sheds or builder's merchants. My advice would be to get in touch with the manufacturer and ask what they recommend to reduce your likelihoof of voiding any warranty. Get it in writing where possible.

Before trying an abrasive a damp cloth is obviously the first port of call with water only.

Aha! Thanks for the correction. Well worth knowing.

Absrasive cleaners tend to be a bit abrasive. There are also abrasives for cars such as T-Cut, which remove a fine layer of paint. These MIGHT work, but as always, test on an unseen area (that is how I discovered that a paint remover softened UPVC). And there are also finer abrasives, maybe jeweller's rouge.

The suggestion to contact the maker is a good one.

GlynD

Just remember that your uPVC windows have a foil layer to give the finish in some cases. Jif or similar will do a great job but I'd be wary about T cut or other chemical compounds.

Leif

Regarding bleach, I use bleach to clean away mould around windows, and I've seen no yellowing of the UPVC. I don't soak it, but I do wipe with a cloth that is damp with bleach. I've done this for years with no ill effect. Could this be specific to certain frames, or perhaps you need large amounts? I have no answer, just an observation.

GlynD wrote: »

Just remember that your uPVC windows have a foil layer to give the finish in some cases. Jif or similar will do a great job but I'd be wary about T cut or other chemical compounds.

To be honest I wouldn't do anything until I'd contacted the manufacturer as suggested by another poster, it makes sense.