Originally Posted by
blue matt
I used to fit and maintain them ( privately and for local councils )
25 years is a very good lifespan, you have doubled the norm ( in many cases ) as the double glazed units break down in time and mist up
so the question is, are all the other aspects of the window fine ? ? ? misting up ? ?
as the small opener will just have dropped, the hinges would have most properly gone and the lock isnt disengaging, you could open it by pushing the window UP ( easier from the outside ) and then it should open
then unscrew the hinges on the frame and remove the unit, unscrew the hinges from the window ( check the locking handle works fine ) and take them to a PVCu place, i always used to use Vellacine behind CCS / ASDA ( though both were not even built then, so i dont know if they are still any good )
they will sell you the hinges and if the locking handle is duff change that
as maintenance goes on them, a annual spray of Dry PTFE spray works wonders ( though today they might have something better )
doesnt TonyTIT do PVCu stuff ?? ? he might be better to advise as i havent done them for 15 years