Heritage Flush Maintenance Guide

Looking after your Heritage Flush Installation

Heritage Flush products are made to very high standards, and treated correctly they'll provide you with a lifetime of service. You'll often see PVCu frames described as being "maintenance free". This isn't completely accurate as you'll see here and we want to be honest; certainly, the amount of work you'll need to put in is negligible, but a little care and attention will make sure that you get the best from your purchase

Cleaning

PVCu have a very smooth finish, and it's this attribute that helps it to stay clean - dirt and soiling tends just to slide off. So this smooth service is all important. Over time it's inevitable that some grime will settle on your frames. The best defense against this is a wipe over with mild soapy water every two to three months, followed by rinsing with clean water. Don't be tempted to use abrasives; they'll roughen and damage the surface and that gives a key to dirt and algae, making future cleaning much more of a chore

Wood Effect and Coloured Frames

Colours and Textured Woodgrain effect finishes have a convincing grained effect to give the appearance of natural or painted wood. This graining makes the frames slightly more susceptible to soiling than white PVCu, though the total level of maintenance required is still a fraction of that required to keep timber frames in good condition. Very often your window cleaner will offer a frame cleaning service, but make sure they read these directions so that they avoid the use of harse abrasives

Lubrication

Locks and hinges are pre-lubricated before installation. To keep them working smoothly, like all mechanical moving parts, you should lubricate them yearly using a light oil such as a 3-in-1. We don't recommend spray lubricants such as WD40, as these tend to dissolve the oil. To oil the mechanisms, just apply a few drops to hinges, slides, locks and bolts, wiping off any excess with a lint-free cloth

Inspection and Tightening

It's not uncommon for the screws used in fixing hinges or handles to PVCu frames to loosen a little over time. If ignored this can eventually cause loosening or catching of opening windows. Often all that's required is tightening with a Pizidriv screwdriver. If you do this yourself, don't be tempted to over-tighten the screws; they should be screwed in just until firm so as not to damage their seating

Upgrades?

Our products are always at the forefront of technology when it comes to security, energy efficiency and range of products. So it will come as no surprise that we constantly make improvements t our products and service. In the future, if ever you feel that you would like to check for any upgrades we may have for your windows or doors just review our website or drop in to our Showrooms and we will be happy to advise you on appropriate improvements, where available

Notes

The RAL colour references shown in this document and swatch book are shown as the nearest match to that particular foil and as such will not be an exact match. Please agree any colour match with your customers / paint suppliers prior to use

Guarantee

Notes Guarantee is ten years for all colours. Guarantee periods cover the performance of the foil in terms of its weatherability and colour fastness.The guarantee period as provided will become void if the foil is over painted (due to solvents / chemicals found within the paint attacking the acrylic top layer of the foil)

Chemical Resistance

Laminate foils are resistant to normal household cleaning agents e.g. ammonia water, alphatic benzine, light alcoholic-water solutions, cleaning agents (non-abrasive), water and building materials e.g. cement, gypsum. Laminate foils are not resistant to any other organic solvents, mixtures of organic solvents and preparations containing organic solvents e.g. varnish thinners, varnish removers, polish and adhesives

Maintenance

Appropriate cleaning with a damp soft cloth using mild detergents, excluding abrasive products. No further maintenance is required for the PVC

Care and Maintenance Guide kindly reproduced from Timeless consumer literature, for use with their products