Many people complain that their bathroom windows get stuck, and it becomes difficult to open them to ventilate the interior. The steam remains inside longer, increasing the humidity and chances of mold growth.
Why Won’t My Bathroom Window Open? Bathroom window won’t open because of a stuck lock, temperature changes, warped wooden frames, buildup of mineral residues, and inadequate lubrication. In addition, it is due to dirt and debris, damaged or bent frame, corrosion, and failure of the sliding mechanism.
Keep the windows neat and clean to prevent them from getting stuck. Place the dehumidifier in the bathroom and keep the extractor fan on so moisture cannot affect their frame size.
| Causes | Solutions |
| Stuck lock | Keep the locking handle clean and lubricated |
| Temperature changes | Maintain interior temperature |
| Broken window gaskets | Lubricate the gaskets or replace them |
| Shifting of house foundation | Add metal studs instead of wood |
| Incorrect paint application | Use spray paint to reduce dripping on the sides |
| Warped wooden frames | Coat them with glossy and waterproof paints |
| Dust and mineral build up | Use a vacuum cleaner |
| Damaged or bend frame | Straighten it or replacement |
| Corrosive metal frame | Lubricate the aluminum frame |
Stuck lock
Sliding glass windows contain a spindle handle for locking purposes and maintain the interior’s privacy. These handles are made up of metal material and painted with a similar color that is present on the frame.
Over time the water exposure causes the paint to wash out from its surface. Paint washing out cause the exposure of metal material and increase corrosion risk.
The handle become rusty, and it becomes difficult to open them smoothly. Sometimes these do not unlock the glass windows or take a lot of effort and time.
The issue also comes when dust and dirt accumulate between their moving parts. These can also break, and your fixture remains in the locking position.
I always prefer to repaint the frame and handle after 6 to 7 months to protect the metal material from humidity exposure. Remove the dust from them using a wet or dry cloth which cannot produce scratches on their surface.
Temperature changes
Temperature changes affect the frame size of bathroom windows, and these become difficult to open. Many people complain that they face the issue during summer because of raised temperature.
The high temperature of the heating environment causes the expansion of aluminum or metal frames. The size and volume of the aluminum material increase slightly, which causes their incorrect fixing in the sliding rail.
You feel difficulty moving the window because of the tight fixing in the sliding rails. You can decrease thermal contraction and expansion by keeping the interior temperature normal.
In addition, it is also better to replace them with other materials like rubber gaskets and waterproof wooden frames.
Broken window gaskets
Glass windows and seals are the sealing material to provide water-tight connections. It protects the water entry and exit, which can commonly occur due to poorly sealed corners.
These seals and gaskets are made of rubber material which is prone to damage and unusual cracking. Rubber seals can get damaged when they are not lubricated.
These can easily last over 12 years, but their installation location affects their durability. The longevity decreases when these are present in direct exposure to sun heat.
Expansion and contraction of frames also cause the rubber gaskets to come off from the boundaries. Lubricate the rubber gaskets with the correct sealant to moisturize the rubber material and decrease the risk of cracking.
Shifting of house foundation
Wood studs are essential in holding your house foundation and protecting them from unusual damage. The damaged or warped wood studs cause shifting of the house foundation, which can lead to misalignment of doors and window frames.
You cannot open them properly because of their frames’ incorrect adjustment and misalignment. Wood stud durability decreases when there are trees in your house.
Moisture from the soil travels into your house base and decreases the strength of wood studs. I always prefer to add metal studs in my home because these are long-lasting and provide more strength.
Metal studs are better than wooden ones if you want to make a small lawn in your home.
Incorrect paint application
The incorrect paint application on the studs causes the window to get stuck, and you cannot open them for steam removal from your bathrooms.
People apply paints on metal, aluminum, or wooden frames to protect their surfaces from moisture damage. The paint can enter the inside hole and cause a problem when it becomes dry.
You cannot move the sliding glass because dried paint sticks to their surfaces. Using spray paints to reduce the splashes on the surrounding surfaces is better.
Warped wooden frames
Window frame comes in a variety of material and sizes, and people select them according to their choices and interior appearances.
Many people prefer wood over aluminum because of their rustic and traditional appearance. The wooden frames are water-resistant and are not completely waterproof.
Long-term humidity exposure can damage their structure and change their integrity. The wood material absorbs water and swell, which can increase its size and cause difficulty in the window opening.
Using high-sheen glossy paints on wooden material is better to make them waterproof. You can also use other waterproof paints and wax coatings so moisture cannot penetrate inside.
Dust and mineral build-up
Dust accumulates on the sliding mechanism and obstructs the smooth movement of glass windows. In addition, you can also face issues in their opening and closing because of the obstructed materials.
Dirt accumulates in the sliding rails and causes an issue in the movement frame. In addition, water content also causes the mineral residues to build up between these sliding mechanisms.
You can identify the mineral residues from their dried, chalky appearance. Moreover, the small casters present on the lower side of the sliding windows become dirty and faulty and obstruct their opening and closing.
The issue occurs because of damaged and poorly aligned casters on the lower side. It is necessary to keep the sliding mechanism clean for smooth movement of casters.
I prefer to use a vacuum cleaner or hairdryer to remove dust and small debris particles because high-pressure air help to get rid of them completely.
Use the damp rag to remove the mineral residues because these do not come out with pressurized air.
Damaged or bent frame
The damaged or bent aluminum frame causes hindrance in the opening of windows. Their bend structures cannot move smoothly over the sliding rails.
Aluminum frames bend when you close them hard over the obstructed material. In addition, the issue also comes when small stones and hard materials get stuck in the sliding mechanism.
These can cause the bending of the aluminum frame when you move them hard. Moreover, the issue also comes because of their age and low-quality material.
You can use the hammer to straighten the bent aluminum frame. Replacing them completely when these are bent from more than one side is necessary.
Corrosive metal frame
You can face difficulty in opening your bathroom windows because of corrosion buildup. The dried rust patches do not allow their smooth movement on the railing mechanism.
Corrosion is common on metal and aluminum frames because of their high humidity content. The corrosion can also damage the rubber gaskets and produce stains on the glass material.
It is necessary to use high-quality aluminum for frames to reduce rusting risks. I prefer to use waterproof paint on their surfaces so moisture exposure does not damage them.
Lower the curtains while taking showers so splashes do not directly come on their surface. I always treat them with high-quality silicone-based lubricant to reduce the corrosion risk.
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