Paddy
Veteran Member
Last week my wife was cleaning some of our casement windows and noticed one would not open. It was sagging a bit and I first thought it was stuck.
My wife, smarter than me many times noticed the latch handle was not going to the full open position. No I didn't force it and break the handle!
I was able to force the window open a 1/4 inch to see the latching tract. I tried tapping it down with a screwdriver/hammer. I was able to get 2 of 3 catches free, but the 3rd was a no go.
I pulled out the Dremel and cut the replaceable catch and it opened right up. There was a 1000 of dead lady bug like beetles and mud dauber crud. Cleaned everything and took off the latch bar that slides.
Still the lock handle would not fully open. Took it off and it was filled with mud dauber crud! Soaked in water and finally got it to move.
lesson learned, even if you never open a certain window, at least once a year, make sure they work properly. Better to catch it when they first start acting up, not 10 years.....
My wife, smarter than me many times noticed the latch handle was not going to the full open position. No I didn't force it and break the handle!
I was able to force the window open a 1/4 inch to see the latching tract. I tried tapping it down with a screwdriver/hammer. I was able to get 2 of 3 catches free, but the 3rd was a no go.
I pulled out the Dremel and cut the replaceable catch and it opened right up. There was a 1000 of dead lady bug like beetles and mud dauber crud. Cleaned everything and took off the latch bar that slides.
Still the lock handle would not fully open. Took it off and it was filled with mud dauber crud! Soaked in water and finally got it to move.
lesson learned, even if you never open a certain window, at least once a year, make sure they work properly. Better to catch it when they first start acting up, not 10 years.....
