Sash Window Repair

Sash windows may become out of balance, or even break. Pam searches the web for salvaged wavy glasses and keeps an eye out for discarded sashweights made of metal. She then looks for replacements, such as nuts or washers, to help balance her window.

Pam will lay each pane by placing a rope of glazing material into the rabbet groove, or pocket around the opening. This helps to reduce drafts and costly heat loss.

Sashes that stick Sashes

When your double glazed window repairs-hung window gets stuck and shatters, it's an absolute nightmare. They'll sway during an icy storm and you'll lose view. On the other the other hand, windows that are too loose will allow external noise and air in and your energy bills can increase. Neither scenario is ideal, but both could be solved with the proper tools and perseverance.

Paint can build up on the channels of old weighted window tracks, which can cause them to become jammed. Luckily, most issues with this can be solved by cleaning and lubricating the tracks.

Start by removing the caulking that was between the upvc window repairs near me stop (the interior one) and the window frame. Then scrape away any paint that has accumulated. Make use of a sharp knife, and place plastic sheets and a dust-collecting vacuum cleaner below the surface to catch any paint dust or chips.

You can then clean the tracks with a dry cloth, then apply a silicone-based lubricant that will help them slide better. This lubricant is sold in a majority of home improvement stores or online. Then, move the sash upwards or down to test it.

If it continues to jam it could be defective. Check to see whether the cord is caught or hanging up in the sash, or has snapped off completely. You'll have to re-cord your window if this is the situation.

A pin that keeps the rail in place could have lost its grip. This isn't easy to fix, and you'll need to consult an expert in most cases.

If a pin hasn't fallen out, but the wood has become swollen or warped it's recommended to use a wood hardener on it. The liquid is quick drying and can restore damaged wood. You won't have to take out the windows on your sash to repair them. After you've used it you'll be able to remove the two sashes by placing a piece of wood on top of the bottom corner where they meet and tapping it lightly using a Hammer.

Draughts

Draughts can cause problems when you have an old sash window, especially during the winter. They are often caused by rotten wood, cracked putty, worn sash cords or unbalanced weights that allow cold air to seep into the window, making it difficult to keep your home warm. There are some options you can take to prevent draughts from entering your sash windows, such as filling any gaps with expanding foam or using draught excluder strips that you can purchase at many hardware stores. These are efficient, but they will need to be replaced periodically because the foam expands and gets worn away with time.

Gapseal is a longer-lasting solution. It's a spongy rubbbery seal you can cut and push into the gaps between the window frames of the sash. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with adhesive strips on the bottom and top of the frame. This option is quite costly and will need to be reapplied throughout the duration of your window's life, but it can provide a long-term solution and service is easy to take off when you wish to open the window.

Cling film can also be used to stop draughts. Simply scrunch it and then push it into all the gaps surrounding your window. This is a great draught-stopper however it could also hinder the sash's movement and possibly cause fire. The sash must be removed to reopen the window, and the clingfilm must be to be applied every time the sash is closed.

A more cost-effective solution is to have your windows draught-proofed as part of a complete refurbishment service. This may include the fitting of new sash string, parting beads and staff beads, the lubrication and rebalancing the weights, as well as the lubrication and rebalancing the pulley wheel. It could also involve staining or painting the frames and sashes. This could bring the sash back to its original function and increase its energy efficiency, and repair any minor flaws in the wood. It is much less disruptive than replacing windows entirely and can significantly reduce drafts and enhance your home's thermal performance.

Decay

The good thing is that your frames for sash windows aren't damaged beyond repair even if they have been damaged or deteriorated. The frames of these windows are generally constructed of high-quality wood. With the right restoration they can be rehabilitated to provide high performance for many more years. The key is to conduct regular inspections and ensuring that the wood is properly ventilated to avoid the accumulation of moisture, which can cause wood rot.

Most of the problems you'll encounter with sash windows will be easily visible on a close inspection, but some are harder to spot. Wood decay is a challenge to treat, since the fungus consumes the wood. While it is possible repair rotten timber however the best method to prevent further rot is by keeping the wood dry.

The first thing to do is to strip any paint from the hardware. It could be necessary to remove the bottom rail from the frame and also the meeting rail (this will depend on the position of the sash). You'll then have to take off the "pocket covers" which are pieces of wood in the side of the frame low down that provide access to the weights (the parting beads run through the middle of them). You may require a sharp knife to take them if they are fixed or painted. Once the pockets are removed, you can start chiseling out any wood rot and apply an extremely high-quality water-resistant filler. After the filler has dried, a coat of primer should be applied to protect against further decay.

It is recommended to inspect the sash weights within the window too to make sure they are in balance and not misaligned or pulling one side more than the other. The sash may be thrown off its track if it is not balanced. This could cause the frame to break or be damaged. The sash weights could be replaced with new ones or a new balance mechanism can be installed to stop the sashes from bouncing to the wrong side of the frame.

Poor Security

Sash windows are susceptible to wear and tear from weather and wear over time. This can lead to decay of timber, and requires replacement. Wood decay can be spotted by water marks under the window or the frame turning soft to the touch. A professional consultation is required to determine the condition and recommend any required repair work to the sash window.

In the same way, over time, the bottom rails can be damaged. This is evident by the presence of water marks on the sill, or the window becoming soft. A professional is required to evaluate the situation and recommend any resealing of sash windows components or replacement.

It is a major concern when double and triple glazed windows start to let noise pollution back into your home. If this is happening the structural integrity of the sash windows may be at risk and it will likely need to be replaced by a different option.

A typical problem with repairing sash windows is the sash becoming stuck in the frame. It could be due to a snapped sash cord, or it could be an indication of an issue with the sash's ratchets. If the latter is the case, then a bit of gentle persuasion is usually enough to get the window to open to reopen. Alternatively, the ratchets will need to be reset.

This problem can be resolved by removing the sash and cleaning the tracks. Once the tracks are clean, removing any security fittings that might be present, and then taking off the sash cords and chains will allow the sash to be removed. A draught seal can then be placed around the staff bead in order to reduce draughts and improve the appearance of the paint finish. The gap between the box and sash could be filled with decorators caulk to enhance sash operation and reduce draughts.