Harvey Windows Troubleshooting Guide

THIS GUIDE WILL ANSWER SOME OF THE MOST COMMON ISSUES ANd QUESTIONS ABOUT HARVEY WINDOWS

Welcome! This guide walks through the operation of your new Harvey window and how to troubleshoot common issues, exactly as demonstrated in our video.

Operating the Window (Tilting for Easy Cleaning)

• Start position: Open the lower sash at least a fist from the bottom.
• Opening just a slight gap from the bottom can leave keepers in the channel and risk popping the window out of place.
• Tilt-in: Bring the sash to about waist level. Pull in the tilt latches and rotate the sash to a full 90° for cleaning.
• It’s okay to let the sash rest all the way down; the latches allow a full swing so you can access the top sash the same way.
• Re-seating the sash: Apply consistent pressure at the center of the sash until you hear a click—that’s your signal it’s back in place and ready to slide.
• On taller windows where you can’t reach the latches, push from the bottom until you feel a snug click.
• Test it: You shouldn’t be able to pull the sash back out. Close with firm pressure, interlock the sashes, and lock.

Nighttime Safety Latches

Great for upstairs rooms, ventilation while you’re away, and general security.

1. Unlock the main lock.
2. With your fingertips, pop out the “pizza-slice” tabs and lift.
3. The sash will lock into a partial-open position and won’t go farther.
4. This also works on the top operation: with the screen up, push the bottom sash down to lock the top sash for ventilation.
5. To close, push in until you hear a click, then lock.

Screen Options & How to Remove/Reinstall

Depending on your window style, you may have one of these:

Extruded Half Screen

• At the bottom of the window, pull up on the lift rail and push against the spring side to remove.
• Bring the screen indoors for cleaning or re-screening as needed.

Full Extruded Screen

• Operation is similar, but you’ll have keeper tabs on the bottom to pull in and springs on top.
• Instead of side-loading, swing out from the top.
• Use the assisted tab at the bottom to pull up and sweep it into place when reinstalling.

Flex Screen

• Pinch to remove, then allow it to sit back in place to reinstall.

Reinstalling any screen: Reach out carefully, set the spring side first, then click into place and lock your windows afterward.

Troubleshooting Overview

Below are the exact issues we see most and how to correct them.

1) Improper Tilting & Fixing Alignment

• Always leave at least a fist of clearance before tilting.
• If you don’t, the lift rail can meet the sill and pop the sash out of place.
• If that happens:

1. Look into the channel and ensure the pin goes back into place.
2. Level the sash, tilt back in, and click.

• The “bait-and-tackle” balance system self-levels, so don’t worry if one side sits higher at first—just make sure the pin sits into the coupling and rotates fully.
• Test smooth up/down operation and locking.
• If you see a part stuck below, the pin isn’t set correctly—go back to step one.

Note: A sash can only fall out when it’s at a full 90°. Avoid resting the sash on your knees or hips at 90°, since the mouth of the channel opens and lets the sash be removed—this is by design for warranty sash replacement without replacing the whole window.

2) Pivot Lock Shoe Issue (Sash Won’t Hold or Drops)

Symptoms: The sash falls down, won’t hold its weight, or locking is difficult.
Cause: The pivot lock shoe may be stuck down below.

Fix:

1. Raise the window out of your way. If it keeps closing, get a second set of hands for safety.
2. Using the fattest flathead screwdriver you can, access the shoe and rotate it.
3. Set the shoe to a comfortable height, bring the sash down, tilt in, set the pin, and reset into the opening.
4. You should no longer see any parts in the channel, and operation should be back to normal.

3) Lock Alignment Problems

If the window won’t line up and lock, try this before requesting service:

• The top sash may be hanging slightly lower if it wasn’t locked in the perfect position.
• Give a tight push up on the top sash and a firm squeeze down on the bottom sash so the two meeting rails align.
• Over hard-to-reach areas (like over a kitchen sink), using an extension can make us pull the window toward us.
• On the back side is a “C-latch” that meets front/back sashes. Pulling outward can knock the back sash down, causing misalignment.
• Always apply a bit of forward pressure on both sashes as you close so the lock engages smoothly.

Final Tips & Service Info

If the steps above don’t resolve the issue, or you’re not comfortable performing any of these operations:

• Call J.C. Tonnotti Window Company.
• Our office team will schedule a service call, and we’ll handle it for you.
• If you do try these steps, 9 out of 10 times they’ll fix the issue.
• If not, parts are replaceable—we’ll bring a service kit and get you buttoned up.

Thank you for reading our guide, we hope it has helped you!