alexo

Supplier has just got back to me. It is Internorm. Called a 'rebate stag guiding rail'. See image.

This is the concealed restrictor I'm being offered. Isn't this a third party one? I'm not opposed to them fitting third party, I did request this so it could be resolved quickly. But they are telling me they are getting these ones directly from Internorm and say there will be long lead time.

And so my Internorm window saga continues... As a goodwill gesture the window company I used have agreed to retrofit restrictors. They gave me the option of turn lock or concealed. I opted for the concealed ones. They are claiming they are getting these directly from Internorm and hence will have a long lead time. @craig is it definitely the case that Internorm do not sell concealed restrictors?

I always reset the pressure gauge to 1 when the system is off and I’ve had to repressurise. This time is 2 months later and when the system is not running, the pressure now sits at 0.7. Would this drop be enough to indicate a leak? I always assumed a leak on a sealed system under high pressure would result in a drastic loss of pressure?

I'm having an issue with air in a sealed system. Approximately once every 6 weeks there is enough air in the system to fill one of the small upstairs radiators. Sometimes I find air in some other upstairs rads. I'm needing to bleed them all and re-pressurise. Had this sealed system installed in October last year, replacing a gravity fed system. All radiators were replaced and a new system boiler installed at the same time. Horizontal unvented cylinder in the loft, 8 column rads, 6 convectors. Underfloor pipework not replaced, house 38 years old. Initially my plumber reassured us it was just air from the new water entering when it was setup, but it's been going on too long for that to be plausible. In case it's relevant, the horizontal unvented cylinder had the hot and cold labelled the wrong way round by the manufacturer, and it was operated like this for approx 2 months because my plumber was convinced we had a a plumbing crossover issue causing the lukewarm water. Eventually they realised and plumbed it in the correct way after the manufacturer informed them of the error. Hot water when run is also very cloudy. What's the most likely cause of the air? Thanks

Thanks Craig, that looks like a good solution. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to work that out but I will see if the fitters know where it is. My fitters have offered to retrofit the Internorm child restrictor which I think is called a 'turn lock restrictor', and when the Allen key is turned it only opens on the tilt (see pics). Is it wise to retrofit these, including to windows with integrated blinds? They say they have retrofitted them before.

So this is the kind of thing meant to be set by the fitter to stop them hitting walls etc rather than an adjustable child restrictor if you know what I mean? Does Internorm do child restrictors? I'm guessing this is another thing I should've specified when ordering. Doesn't seem very safe to have these opening that far in kids upstairs bedrooms. Do you know if there are any retrofit options on adjustable child restrictors? Thanks

I've got turn limiter listed under the accessories hardware section of each window on my Internorm order. Does anyone know if this is the same as an opening restrictor? Thanks

Ugh, thanks. I can’t bear the thought of all these lovely frames going to landfill! This mistake is so unfortunate for everyone involved. The fitters are working really hard trying to fix a mistake not of their own making, with the materials the firm has provided them. I have contacted Internorm to complain about the 4cm gap and to ask if it would meet Internorm’s recommended installation methods to have such a gap and then fill it with non-airtight non-window foam. They immediately spoke to the supplier and contacted me to say they usually advise and give info on Passive installations but that is not what I had agreed with my supplier, and that using my airtight foam would be a good resolution. I had naively thought that ‘Internorms recommended installation methods’ that I was signing up for were close to Passiv standards which obviously is not the case. I did ask for and get the supplier to write into the contract that they would fit with compriband, which to be fair to them they have done using ISO chemie bloco. But not to passiv standards. Fitters are using 15/6-15 (15mm wide I think) and putting it right on the front strip of the frame rather than in the middle recess of the frame. I didn’t specify exactly how it should be used so again, my naive mistake! And of course the biggest mistake was not going for a firm that specialises in passiv installations. We did get a quote from one but it was much more expensive and we were at the top of our budget. Of course our installer gave a very competitive quote. And I didn’t think I needed full passiv standard in my draughty old house, but I did want it as close as reasonably possible with compriband. And to have windows that fit! Oh well, lessons learnt and all that 🙄

Hi @craig I’ve just read this back and seen you said along top needs replacement. Missed that before. What did you mean by this? Why does it need replacement? Which image were you referring to? Thanks

Thanks. So Internorm’s recommended installation methods are… the same for all other windows, essentially the minimum allowable standard? So shove them in and foam them is acceptable by that logic?

This? https://cwgchoices.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/the-good-practice-guide-for-the-installation-of-replacement-windows-and-doors.pdf

I’m completely clueless on this- what is GGR? Had a quick look. Thought I’d seen someone mention GGF guidelines before but can’t find them either. Is that the same thing?

Does anyone know what Internorm’s ‘recommended installation methods’ are please? Is there an installation manual or a document I can refer to?

Thanks Craig. I will complain again and hopefully I will not be gaslighted this time. Still no acknowledgement of an error from them. So annoying that we have essentially lost 2cm of view from each window because of this.

This morning I was reassured by the fitters that no foam would probably be needed on the 2 they fitted today (non-dormers) which led me to believe this problem wouldn't affect all other windows. After fitting this is what we got. Again approx 2 cm gap above window board, with the window resting on a grey plastic ledge internally. This gap is currently letting in a howling gale and the fitters aim to fill it with foam tomorrow, although clearly the amount they can fit in here is minimal so even though they will use airtight foam I'm not confident its going to do much. It's really clear they're all going to have this problem, so as has been said before there is clearly an error here, I assume the windows are 2cm approx shorter than they should be. For example it's quite obvious to me the outside pictures show the window ledge screws visible when the frame should sit closer to the cill, which is also unsightly. So my question is, if I go all in on fighting this do I have a case? Is this enough of a measurement error for me to stop the install and request a resolution such as replacement or a hefty refund without being penalised for stopping the install? Or is this a grey area? Am I making too much of a fuss about 2cm gap? @craig or anyone else in the know advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks, I have got some of the Ilbruck FM330 arriving on express delivery tomorrow. Given that I think it’s unlikely I’m going to get completely new frames with my lack of technical knowledge and lack of ability to argue it, the plan is to use that going forward, and for the 3 already fitted we will dig out as much of the existing foam as possible and refoam with the Illbruck.

Fantastic, thanks Mike.

Amazing, thanks Garry. Unfortunately I do not have the skills to interpret it either 😂

This is the foam they're using. The project manager claims they always use this on Internorm projects including passivhauses. It isn't airtight. They've said they always use it. Is it just cheap crap? I can't find any data sheets on it.

Oh wow is it really that bad!? This is a large reputable firm who do a lot of Internorm installs including passivhauses and have almost 100% positive reviews and I wasn't expecting this. I've raised the issue with the manager on the project. He is still claiming everything is fine and that there is a sill packer in there that is the one recommended by Internorm. He acknowledged the compriband shouldn't be popping out like that and said they'd make good before they finish off outside.

So in summary, the window is too short owing to an error in ordering or measuring, and the compriband hasn't been correctly installed by the fitters? Do you think these are severe issues, what would be a reasonable resolution in a case like this do you think? Do I need entirely new windows or do you think that would be an unreasonable expectation. If they use airtight foam to plug the gaps would this be good enough? Thanks

Great, cheers.

Separate window, separate problem. The have left a carry strap wedged between the compriband and the wall on the right hand side. This is showing from the outside, see pics. What can they do to correct this? Is it just a case of cutting it off outside or would they need to remove the entire window to get it out? I'm concerned about it getting damp and impacting thermals. Thanks

Another photo of the outside attached.