Self-maintenance tips

On-going maintenance is important. It starts from the building owners and occupants who should carry out regular cleaning and visual checking in accordance with the Do-it-yourself safety checks to the window components.

Cleaning

Carry out general brush, vacuum or water cleaning to the windows once a month. Start cleaning the windows to remove any visible residue after inspection. Cleaning should start from top to bottom with little bit of pressure on cloth. Make sure the cloth is frequently rinsed in clean fresh water and does not contain grit, which can scratch the surface. Abrasive pad should not be used. Otherwise, it will damage the surface and the sealant.

D1

Use fresh water to clean all parts with a damp cloth and to remove all light surface soil. Avoid using inappropriate cleaning agents that could cause corrosion to the window components. Never use solvent, strong acid or alkali because they will make the aluminium corrode especially when they are retained at the gaps between the window components such as the rivets/ screws.

Alkaline or acidic cleaning agent

Wipe dry thoroughly the top and bottom of the window sash and frame afterwards with clean cloth to prevent accumulation of water at the frames and hinges. Use a brush to remove dust, dirt or debris from the window frame, hinge and sliding track, particularly the movable parts such as the sliding shoes and pivot points. Otherwise, accumulation of dirt and dust will affect the opening and closing of the windows and forcing such movements could damage the frames and hinges.

D2

Use a cloth to wipe away the dirt or debris from the track & hinge including the movable parts afterwards

Lubrication
Lubricate or grease the hinge and sliding track lightly to avoid undesired friction and undue wear and tear of the screws/ rivets. Excessive oiling, however, will disable the friction control mechanism of the window hinge and its ability to stay in position. Such loss of friction could cause the window to swing freely, which is dangerous. Suitable friction is desirable by adjusting the brass screws at the sliding shoe.

D3

Lubricate the pivot points but avoid excessive oiling.

Light machine oil could be used as lubricant. Do not use lubricant that is corrosive or is a solvent.

Safety Checks

Carry out regular Do-it-yourself safety checks for signs of trouble. Remember to check the tracks at both the top and bottom of the sash in addition to the two sliding tracks that are being fixed to the window frames. There are a total of 4 tracks for each sash.

Checking the track at the top of the sash

Checking the track at the bottom of the sash

D4

Repairs by qualified person

Whenever signs of troubles appear, get a qualified person/ appropriate prescribed registered contractor to arrange inspection and repair of the windows immediately. List of qualified persons/ appropriate prescribed registered contractors who are interested in providing services for carrying out inspection, maintenance and repair of aluminium windows have been uploaded in BDs website for reference.

Securing in place
If the windows are in danger of falling, take immediate precautionary measures (such as securing the windows temporarily by closing and locking up or tying up with strings) and post up warning signs to alert people from further using the windows while getting a qualified person/ appropriate prescribed registered contractor to arrange inspection and repair or replacement of the windows.

D5