I've had PVC windows in my apartment for about fifteen years now, and over time they've gotten harder to close - the sash started rubbing against the frame. I heard you can adjust them yourself without calling a technician. How do I do that?
You can adjust it through the hinges - they usually have screws for moving the sash horizontally and vertically. On the lower hinge, the side screw raises and lowers the window, while the screws at the back move it toward or away from the frame; the upper hinge works similarly.
First, check where exactly it's catching - if the sash is drifting to one side, you'll need to straighten it with a hex wrench of the right size (usually 4 mm), turning the screws little by little and checking the result. Would it help if I went into more detail about which screw does what - it really depends on your specific hinge model?
The key thing is to check before adjusting the hinges - make sure the seal on the sash hasn't hardened or warped over time. If the rubber has lost its elasticity, screws will only help temporarily - you're better off replacing it. It's most convenient to do the actual adjustment with a hex key, just make sure you turn it slowly and check how it closes after each turn, otherwise you can overdo it.
First, check if the sash moves freely up and down in the hinges - sometimes the window catches not because it's come loose, but because over time the hinges sag slightly and skew the whole frame. After fifteen years of use, it's worth lubricating all the screws and adjustment points with a thin oil like WD-40 so they don't seize up while you're turning them during adjustment. Tighten the screws carefully with small movements, checking the result between turns - it's easy to overdo it and just make things worse.
I had a similar situation - the window was catching in the corner, and I had to apply force to close it. At first I also thought about calling a specialist, but then I tried it myself. Turns out all I needed to do was adjust the upper hinge - there's a screw on the side edge (the side where the handle is) that shifts the sash horizontally. If you turn it clockwise, the window moves toward the hinge; if counterclockwise, away from it. In my case it only took literally two or three turns to get an even gap between the sash and frame.
But before you start turning screws, it really makes sense to check what the guys above mentioned - after 15 years the weatherstripping almost definitely lost its elasticity. If the rubber is compressed, stiff, or has even come away from the grooves in places, then adjusting the hinges will just be a temporary fix. Look along the sash when it's closed - there should be an even gap all the way around, literally a millimeter or two. If the rubber is compressed anywhere, it's worth replacing (you can pull it out of the grooves and insert new ones).
After replacing the weatherstripping or adjusting the hinges, remember the main thing: you need to close the window gently, without slamming it. And at least once a year wipe down the hinges and lubricate them with machine oil or silicone lubricant - it'll make them last longer.
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