Sash Window Repair

Sash windows may become out of balance or even break. Pam searches the web for wavy glasses that are salvaged and keep an eye out for discarded sashweights made of metal. She then hunts for replacements in the form of washers or nuts to balance her window.

Pam will lay each pan by putting a rope of glazing material into the rabbet groove, or pocket around the opening. This reduces drafts and expensive heat loss.

Sticking Sashes

When your double-hung window gets stuck, it's an absolute nightmare. You'll lose sight when they squeak during a storm. On the other the other hand, windows that are too loose will allow external air and noise through and your energy bills could increase. Both scenarios are not ideal, but both could be solved with the proper tools and perseverance.

Paint can accumulate on the channels of old weighted sash window tracks, causing them to jam. Luckily, most issues with this can be solved through cleaning and lubricating the tracks.

Remove the caulking that was used in 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 use of a sharp knife, and place sheets of plastic as well as an air-collecting vacuum cleaner beneath the surface to collect any paint dust or chips.

Clean the tracks using a dry cloth, and then apply a silicone-based lubricant to help them slide better. The lubricant can be found in a majority of home improvement stores or online. Then, you can move the sash up or down to test it.

If it is still jamming it could be a problem with the sash cord. Examine whether the cord is tangled or hung in the sash or if it's snapped. You'll need to re-cord your window If this is the case.

Another possible reason for the jam could be the pin that holds the rail in place has fallen out. This isn't easy to repair, and you'll have to consult a professional in most cases.

Make use of a wood hardener in the event that the wood is swollen and warped, but there's not a pin. This liquid dries quickly and can help restore damaged wood. You won't have to remove your sash windows in order to repair them. After using it, you should be able to pry the two sashes apart by placing a block of wood on the top of the corner where they meet, and tapping it lightly using the hammer.

Draughts

Draughts can be a concern when you have an old sash window, especially during the winter. They can be caused by rotten wood, cracked putty or worn sash cords. This can allow cold air to seep around the window, making it more difficult to heat your home. There are a few things you can do to prevent draughts from entering your sash windows, such as filling any gaps with expanding foam or strips to prevent draughts. These can purchase at many hardware stores. They're effective however you'll require replacing them regularly as the foam expands with usage.

Gapseal is a more permanent solution. It's a spongy rubbly seal that can be cut and push in the gaps between the window frames of the sash. It can be used on its own or with adhesive strips on the top and bottom. This option is costly and you will need to reapply it over the life of your window. However, it's an effective long-term fix and easy to remove.

Another popular DIY draught proofing solution is to use cling wrap that is rolled up and pushed into all the gaps around your window. This is a great draught stopper but the downside is that it can hinder sash movement completely and pose risky for fire. The sash needs to be removed in order to reopen the window, and the clingfilm will need reapplied every time the sash is closed.

An alternative that is less expensive is to have your sash windows professionally draught proofed as part of a general refurbishment service. This can include the installation of new sash strings parting beads and staff beads, the lubrication and rebalancing the weights, as well as the lubrication and rebalancing the pulley wheel. It may also include painting or staining of the frames and sashes. This can aid in restoring the function of the sash and increase its energy efficiency, in addition to addressing any minor timber defects. It's much less disruptive than replacing windows entirely and can significantly reduce draughts and improve your home's thermal efficiency.

Decay

If your windows are sash and 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 revived to provide the best performance for many years. The key is to conduct regular inspections and ensuring that the wood is well ventilated to prevent the accumulation of moisture which can cause wood decay.

The majority of issues that arise with sash window are easily apparent, however some are more difficult to detect. In particular, wood decay is a very difficult problem to fix because fungus consumes the wood. While it is possible to repair rotten timber, the best way to prevent further decay is to keep the wood dry.

The first thing to do is to remove any paint from the hardware. The bottom rail and the meeting rail may have to be removed from the frame (depending on the position of your sash). The next step is to take off the "pocket covers" which are bits of wood that are located on the sides of the frame low down that give 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'll probably need to use a knife to get them off. Once the pockets are removed, you can start slicing out any wood decay and apply an extremely high-quality water-resistant filler. After the wood filler has dried the primer coat must be applied to prevent further decay.

It is a good idea to examine inside the window the sashweights to ensure they are properly balanced. They should not be displaced or pulled one side more than the other. If they are not balanced the sash is liable to drop off its track and could break or damage the frame. The sash weights could be replaced with new ones or a new balancing mechanism can be installed, which will stop the sashes from bouncing to the wrong side of the frame.

Poor Security

Over time sash windows are exposed to the elements, and are prone to damage from weather and general wear. This can lead to the decay of the timber, which requires replacement. Water marks on the window or a softened frame can indicate wood decay. A professional consultation will be required to determine the condition and recommend any necessary repair work to the sash window.

As time passes the rails at the bottom can 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 consultation may be required to determine the situation and recommend any necessary replacement or resealing of window sash components.

It is a major concern when double glazing repair glazing; click the next document, and triple glazed windows start to let noise pollution back into the house. If this happens the structural integrity of windows' sash could be in danger and is likely to need to be replaced with an alternative option.

One common sash window repair problem is the sash becoming stuck in the frame. This can be due to the sash cord being snapped or it could be the result of an issue with the sash's or ratchets. If the problem is related to the sash the ratchets, some gentle persuasion is often the best solution.

Removal of the sash from the frame and removing the tracks of dust or dirt can often help resolve this issue. After the tracks have been cleaned take off any security fittings that could be present and then carefully taking off the sash cords and chains will allow the sash to be removed. A draught seal can then be put on the staff bead in order to reduce draughts and improve the appearance of the paint finish. The gap between the box and the sash could be filled with decorators caulk in order to improve the operation of the sash and decrease draughts.