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Loose window frame

10 years ago

For the past week, I've had a steady stream of stink bugs getting in and flying around my bedroom while I'm reading at night when the light is on. I found that the two side by side double hung vinyl windows in my bedroom have a loose frame. I can press against the top of the window and it moves back and forth maybe a fourth of an inch, possibly more. I didn't push too hard for fear of bending the window frame. I went outside and it looks like the caulking is eroded and inside there is no caulking.But shouldn't the window be basically unmovable? Is this a simple caulking job or something more? Is this something for a professional or can I just do it myself.

Featured Answer

PRO

Windows on Washington Ltd

10 years ago

Pretty standard new construction vinyl.

That deflection that you are getting at the mullion is pretty standard and there is nothing you can do about it short of replacing the windows.

That is not where the stink bugs are coming from. They are likely coming up through the weep holes or screen track drains.

If you can post a close up of the sill, I can tell you more.

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Comments (14)

PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
10 years ago
Can you post up a picture of the windows in question?

You can certainly caulk the exterior but I am not sure what you can do to the window to sure it up.
HomeSealed
10 years ago
Pics would be great. It is hard to determine exactly what you are describing, but generally speaking your window frame should not be able to move 1/4" (or at all), nor should it be held in only by caulking.
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Seeing that, here is what I suggest. Get a tube of construction adhesive and squeeze it into that hole/gap I see at the base of the jamb, making sure the base is positioned exactly where it should be. After the adhesive cures, you want to secure the fixed piece to the left of the jamb at the base. Drill downward and put a hole in at about 1" in from each end. You will need a hammer drill to go into the concrete. Use Tapcon screws with the correct size masonry bit and follow the directions. You can countersink the head of the screw into the wood piece and then finish it off with wood button plugs. As for your subfloor, all I see is a strip of unfinished wood that appears to be part of the flooring. If you are on a concrete slab, there could be no subflooring.
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bibbus 7b
Original Author
10 years ago
Here are the windows. I have another picture close up but for some reason I cannot post more than one picture at a time.
bibbus 7b
Original Author
10 years ago
Here's the other one.
bibbus 7b
Original Author
10 years ago
Here are pictures of the window sill. It has some kind of fake marble on it.
bibbus 7b
Original Author
10 years ago
Here's the corner. Lots of bugs congregate around the window at night when I have my light on I guess since its a big window. But I actually have lots of bugs and spiders around my windows since I don't clean them that often! :)
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
10 years ago
Pretty standard new construction fare.

Appears to be a mechanically fastened window with an H-mullion.

There isn't too much about that combo that is going to be really secure and sturdy.
bibbus 7b
Original Author
10 years ago
The bottom is firmly in place - only the top is moving. Its the only side by side windows I have in my house but all the others are very firmly in place. No bugs have gotten in for the past couple of nights but I have kept the light on for only a short amount of time. So not a real test! Thanks for your feedback.
toddinmn
10 years ago
I would run some screws through the head of the window into the framing. GRK makes a nice pan head cabinet screw that would work well for this.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
10 years ago
+1

Todd's advice is perfect.

A few screws through the head jamb equally space and covered with caps for the cleanliness aspect would be a perfect fix.
HomeSealed
10 years ago
Good advice above.
Blayne Alamo
3 years ago
I searched out this problem and found this thread. Just wondering if the suggested repair worked.
bibbus 7b
Original Author
3 years ago
It has been so long that I can’t remember exactly, but I am fairly sure they just put a couple of screws in it and it has been fine ever since!

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