Sash Window Repair

Sash windows can be out of balance and break. Pam is on the lookout on the internet for salvaged wavy glasses and keeps an eye open for discarded metal sashweights. She then hunts for replacements in the form of nuts or washers to help balance her window.

Pam will bed each pan by putting the glazing material in a rope into the rabbet groove, or pocket around the opening. This prevents drafts and reduce the cost of heat loss.

Sticking Sashes

It's a nightmare if your double-hung windows become stuck. They'll shake in the event of a storm and you'll lose view. On the other the other hand, windows that are too loose will let external air and noise in, and your energy bills can increase. Both scenarios are not ideal however they can be corrected by using the proper tools and perseverance.

Paint can get splattered on the channels of old weighted sash window tracks, causing them to block. Fortunately, most issues related to this can be solved by cleaning and lubricating the tracks.

Take the caulking off of the space between the window stop (the one on the inside) and the frame of the window. Scrape off any paint that has built up. Make sure you use a sharp blade, and set up sheets of plastic and a vacuum cleaner directly below to contain any paint dust and chips.

Then, wipe the tracks with a dry, clean cloth and apply a silicone lubricant to ensure more smooth glide. This lubricant is sold at most home improvement shops or on the internet. You can test it by moving the sash either upwards or downwards.

If it continues to jam it could be an issue with the sash cord. Verify if the cord is caught or hanging from the sash, or has snapped off completely. If this is the case, you'll have to re-cord the window.

Another possible cause of an obstruction is that a pin that holds the meeting rail in place has fallen out. It can be difficult to fix and you will require the help of a professional the majority times.

If a pin hasn't fallen out but the wood has gotten swollen or warped, it's a good idea use a wood softener on it. This liquid will dry quickly and can help restore damaged wood. You won't have remove the windows on your sash to repair them. After using it, you'll be able break the two sashes by placing a block of wood on the bottom corner where they meet and tapping it lightly with the tool.

Draughts

Draughts are a major sash window repair problem for windows with sash window repair windows that are old particularly in winter months. Often caused by rotten timbers or cracked putty, Sash window repair worn weights for sash or sash cords that aren't balanced that allow cold air to seep into the window, making it difficult to keep your home warm. You can prevent drafts by filling in gaps with expanding foam or by utilizing draught-proofing strips that are available at most hardware shops. They can be very effective, although they will need to be replaced periodically because the foam expands and gets worn away with wear and use.

Gapseal is a more permanent solution. It's a spongy rubbly seal that can be cut and then push into the gaps between the window frames of the sash. It can be applied on its own or with adhesive strips placed on the top and bottom of the frame. This option is quite costly and will need to be reapplied over the duration of your window's lifetime but it does offer an option for the long term and is easy to take off if you want to open the window.

Cling film can also be used to stop drafts. Simply scrunch it and push it into all the gaps that surround your window. This is an effective draught stopper but the downside is that it can stop sash movement completely and pose an hazard to fire. The sash has to be removed to open the window and the clingfilm needs to be to be reapplied each time the sash is closed.

A more cost-effective solution is to have your window sash professionally draughtproofed as part of a complete refurbishment service. This could include the replacement of sash cords as well as parting beads, staff beads, lubrication of pulley wheels and rebalancing of the weights, in addition to staining or painting the frames and sashes. This can aid in restoring the function of the sash and increase its energy efficiency, while also dealing with any minor timber defects. It is less disruptive than taking out the windows and will reduce draughts, improve thermal performance and significantly reduce the cost.

Decay

If your sash windows have suffered from decay or damage, the good news is that they aren't necessarily damaged beyond repair. The wood used in the frames of these windows is usually of a very high quality and with proper restoration they can be restored to offer an excellent level of performance for many years. Regular inspections are key and so is making sure the wood is properly ventilated. This will prevent the build-up of moisture that could lead to wood decay.

Most of the problems you will encounter with sash windows are readily apparent on close visual examination, however certain issues are more difficult to identify. Particularly, wood decay is a difficult issue to fix because fungus eats away at the wood. It is possible to fix rotten sections of timber, however, the best method to prevent future decay is to ensure that the timber is dry.

The first step is to strip any paint off the hardware. The bottom rail and the meeting rail could have to be removed from the frame (depending on the location of your sash). You'll then have to take off the "pocket covers" that are pieces of wood that are located on the sides of the frame lower down that allow access to the weights (the partsing beads run along the middle of them). These can sometimes be fixed by nailing them in place and then securing them with paint, so you will likely require a knife to cut them out of the way. After the pockets have been removed, you can begin to chisel out any wood rot and apply a good quality, water-resistant wood filler. Once the filler has dried it is recommended that a coat of primer be applied to protect against further decay.

It is a smart idea to examine inside the window the weights of the sash to ensure that they are balanced. They should not be misaligned, or pulling one side harder than the other. The sash can be thrown off its track if they are not balanced. This could cause the frame to crack or even be damaged. The sash weights could be replaced with new ones or a new balance mechanism could be fitted to stop the sashes from bouncing to the opposite side of the window frame.

Poor Security

As time passes sash windows are exposed to the elements and prone to deterioration from weather and general wear. As time passes, this could cause wood decay, which is then required to be replaced - a costly repair that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. Water marks under the window or on a softened frame could indicate decay of the wood. A professional consultation is required to evaluate the situation and recommend any required repairs to the sash window.

In time, the bottom rails may also be damaged. This can be spotted by the presence of water marks on the sill, or the window becoming soft to touch. A professional will be required to examine the situation and recommend any necessary replacement of the sash window's seal or replacement.

It can be a real concern when triple or double glazed windows start to let noise pollution back into the house. If this is happening the structural integrity of sash windows may be at risk, and they will likely need to be replaced with a different option.

A common sash window repair problem is that the sash becomes stuck in the frame. This can be caused by the cord snapping or problems with sash rattles. If the problem is related to the sash ratchets, a little gentle pressure is usually enough.

This issue can be solved by taking off the sash and cleaning the tracks. Once the tracks are clean remove any security fittings that could be present and then carefully taking off the sash cords and chains will allow the sash to be removed. The staff bead may be sealed with an draught-proof seal in order to minimize the risk of draughts. This will also improve the paint finish. The gap between the box and sash can be filled with decorators caulk in order to improve sash operation and reduce the risk of draughts.