Annual Louvre Maintenance

There are multiple moving parts and pivot points on a Louvre Vent, to keep a Louvre functioning as it should, these parts must be kept clean and lubricated.

Using a PTFE spray such as WD40 or GT85, apply a small amount to each rivet on the louvre assembly (circled in green below) and to the threads of the automatic opener cylinder if fitted, this helps displace any dirt and lubricate the points, a light oil can also be used.

Louvre Troubleshooting

Seized Vents

The most common issue with a louvre vent is the vent sticking open in low temperatures (below 10C), this generally happens if the pivot points are not kept clean and lubricated as above.

A seized louvre can often be fixed with application of a lubricant as above.

If an automated louvre is still stuck open in cold weather after some maintenance, we can isolate the problem by removing the cylinder, this is done by turning the cylinder counterclockwise 

If the louvre has now closed with the removal of the cylinder, the cylinder has developed a fault and will need replacing, we stock spare cylinders here

If the louvre is still open, the mechanism can be isolated from the automatic opener by disconnecting the opening arm from the autovent, this arm will be under spring tension which can be eased using a screwdriver as pictured below, apply pressure against the screw to secure the driver and gently push down to take the tension off the springs

With the tension eased off the springs, remove the brass thumb screw fixing the opening arm onto the autovent and detach the arm from the autovent, be careful not to lose the thumbscrew or the nylon washer shown below

With the opening arm detached from the autovent, the louvre opening can be adjusted manually with the arm, if the louvre is particularly stuck it may need more lubrication working into the pivot points by moving the arm incrementally and re-applying lubricant while leaving time for the spray/oil to penetrate the joints between applications.

When the louvre is working smoothly, reverse the steps above to re-pair the louvre and autovent.

 

Slipping Louvre Glass

Another fairly common issue with louvre vents is slipping glass, this can occur over time, particularly when the louvre has not been well maintained and more force is applied to the glass when opening and closing.  When a vent is well maintained the force applied to open and close it is reduced.

The glass can be slid up and out of the vent and the retaining lugs on the louvre vent gently bent by hand to a more closed position to better grip the glass when the pane is re-inserted.