Question: We live in a Pulte-built house that is now almost ten years old. When we open the windows, there is a strip of white plastic hanging down under the window. It looks like the weather stripping is coming apart.
Answer: One of the Woodchucks reported having the same problem with his Simonton windows. He called the Simonton Product Service Department, and when he described his problem, they agreed to send him enough of the weather stripping to repair all of his damaged windows.
He reports that the repair is quite easy. The windows are designed to tilt inward for easy cleaning and removal. Just push the two latches on the top of the window toward the center of the window to disengage the top of the window from the frame. Now tilt the window inward to ninety degrees. With the window at ninety degrees rotate it clockwise to disengage the pins at the bottom of the window releasing it from the frame. Place the window on a flat surface where you can work on the weather stripping at the bottom. The old stripping just slides out. Take the new material and thread it into the retainer and slide it all the way in. Cut it off with scissors.
Reinstall the window by engaging the pin at the bottom of the window in the slide in the window frame. Rotate the window into place and engage the pin on the other side. With both pins engaged, rotate the window back up into place and engage the latches on the top of the window.
Patio Door Latch
Question: The lever to lock the patio door is broken. The lever actually works but the knob on the end of the lever is missing. Do you know where I can get another? Or where I can buy a whole new handle/lock?
Answer: You can get a new latch at one of the big box stores. You should bring your latch to the store to make sure you get the correct replacement. Explaining how to remove the broken latch is difficult, but you are in luck as there is an excellent video on Youtube that shows exactly how to make this repair.
If you have suggestions for future tips or have questions about maintenance around your home submit them to ask.the.woodchucks@gmail.com
