Sash Window Repair

Sash windows may become out of balance or even break. Pam is on the lookout on the internet for salvaged wavy glasses, and keep an eye out for discarded metal sashweights. She then seeks replacements, such as washers or nuts, to help balance her window.

Pam puts each pane in with a rope of glazing compound she works into the rabbet groove, or pocket, which is located around the opening. This helps to reduce drafts and costly heat loss.

Sticking Sashes

It's a nightmare when your double glazed window repairs-hung windows get stuck. They'll shake during a storm, and you'll lose your view. On the other hand, a window that's too loose can let outside noise and air in and your energy bills could increase. Both scenarios are not optimal, but they can be fixed by using the appropriate tools and perseverance.

Paint can build up on the channels of the old weighted sash window tracks, causing them to jam. Most of these problems can be resolved by cleaning and oiling the tracks.

Start by removing the caulking that was between the window stop (the internal one) and the window frame. Scrape off any paint that has accumulated. Make sure to use a sharp blade, and then set up plastic sheets and a vacuum cleaner directly below to contain any paint dust and chips.

Then, wipe the tracks with a dry cloth and apply a silicone lubricant to ensure more smooth sliding. The lubricant can be found at many home improvement stores or online. Then, you can move the sash up or down to test it.

If it continues to block it could be defective. Examine whether the cord is tangled or hung in the sash or if it's snapped. If this is the case, you'll have to replace the window repairs's cord.

Another possible cause of a jam is that a pin that holds the rail in place has fallen out. It can be difficult to fix and you will need to call in a professional most of the time.

You can use a wood softener when the wood is swelling and warped, but there's not a pin. The liquid is quick drying and can help restore damaged wood. You won't have to remove your sash windows in order to repair them. After you've used it you'll be able pry the two sashes apart by placing a block of wood on top of the bottom corner where they meet, and tapping it lightly using an Hammer.

Draughts

Draughts can cause problems with sash windows that are old particularly in winter. They are often caused by rotten wood, cracked putty or worn cords for sash. This can allow cold air to get inside the window, making it more difficult to warm your home. There are some things you can do to help prevent draughts in your windows with sash, for example, filling any gaps with expanding foam or using strips to block draughts that you can purchase from most hardware stores. These can be efficient, but they'll have to be replaced regularly as the foam expands and gets worn away with wear and use.

Gapseal is a more permanent solution. It's a spongy rubbly seal that you can cut and push into the gaps between the sash window frames. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with adhesive strips at the top and bottom. This is a bit costly and will have to be applied over the time of your windows' lifetime but it does offer a long-term solution and is simple to remove if you want to open the window.

Cling film can also be used to block drafts. Simply roll it up and push it into the gaps surrounding your window. This is an effective draught stopper but the downside is that it can hinder sash movement completely and pose risky for fire. The sash has to be removed in order to reopen the window and the clingfilm will need to be reapplied each time the sash is closed.

A more cost-effective solution is to have your windows draught-proofed as part of a general refurbishment service. This could include the replacement of sash cords and parting beads, staff beads, lubrication for the pulley wheels and rebalancing the weights, as well as painting or staining the frames and sashes. This can help to restore the function of the sash and increase its energy efficiency, as well as dealing with any minor timber defects. It is less disruptive than taking out the windows and will reduce drafts, enhance the thermal performance, and drastically reduce the cost.

Decay

If your windows with sash have suffered damage or decay the good news is they aren't necessarily unfixable. The wood used in the frames of these windows is usually of very high-quality and with proper restoration they can be restored to offer a high level of performance for many years. The key is regularly checking the frames and making sure that the wood is well ventilated to prevent moisture accumulation, which can cause wood rot.

The majority of problems that arise from sash windows are readily evident, but some are more difficult to detect. Particularly, wood decay is a difficult issue to address because fungus can eat away at the wood. It is possible to repair wood that is rotten, however the best way to avoid further decay is to ensure that the wood is kept dry.

The first thing to do is to clean any paint off the hardware. The bottom rail and meeting rail may 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 in the side of the frame low down that allow access to the weights (the parting beads run through the middle of them). These can sometimes be put in place by nails and then covered with paint, so you will probably need to use a knife to cut them out of the way. After the pockets have been removed, you can begin to chisel away any wood rot, and then apply a high-quality, Window Repair water-resistant wood filler. After the filler is dry the primer coat must be applied to prevent further decay.

It is an excellent idea to examine the sash weights inside the window as well to ensure that they are in balance and not misaligned or pulling one side more than the other. The sash could be thrown off its track if they aren't balanced. This could cause the frame to crack or become damaged. The sash's weights can be replaced with new ones or a new mechanism for balancing could be fitted that will stop the sashes from swinging to the wrong side of the window frame.

Poor Security

As time passes, sash windows can become exposed to the elements and susceptible to deterioration from weather and general wear. In time, this may lead to timber decay which is then required to be replaced, a costly repair that needs to be addressed as soon as is possible. Wood decay can be spotted by water marks beneath the window or the frame becoming soft to the touch. A professional consultation will be required to evaluate the situation and recommend any required sash window repair work.

In the same way, over time, the bottom rails can be damaged. Water marks on the sill or a window which is soft to the touch could indicate this. A professional consultation will also be required to assess the situation and recommend any needed repair or replacement of window sash components.

It can be a real concern when triple or double windows are glazed and start to allow noise pollution back into the house. If this happens the structural integrity of the windows could be at risk and it will likely need to be replaced with an alternative option.

One common sash window repair problem is when the sash gets stuck in the frame. This can be caused by an sash cord that has snapped or it could be the result of an issue with the sash or ratchets. If it is the latter, then a bit of gentle pressure can help the window to open and then the ratchets need to be reset.

Removing the sash from the frame and cleaning the tracks of any dirt or dust will often help resolve this problem. After cleaning the tracks, remove any security fittings and carefully remove the chains or cords that hold the sash. The staff bead can be sealed using a draught-proof seal that will reduce the possibility of draughts. This can also improve the paint finish. Decorators caulk can be used to fill the gap between the box of the sash and the sash. This will improve the efficiency of the sash and reduce draughts.