Sash Window Repair

Sash windows can go out of balance and home even break. Pam browses the internet for salvaged wavy glasses and keeps an eye open for discarded sashweights made of metal. She then hunts for replacements in the form of washers or nuts to ensure that her window is balanced.

Pam will lay each pane by placing an edging rope into the rabbet groove or pocket around the opening. This reduces drafts and reduce the cost of heat loss.

Sticking Sashes

It's a nightmare if your double-hung windows are stuck. They'll shake in the event of an icy storm, and you'll lose your view. A window that is too loose could let in air and noise, which will increase your energy bills. Both scenarios are not optimal, but they can be corrected by using the appropriate tools and persistence.

Paint can build up on the channels of old weighted window tracks, causing them to block. The majority of these issues can be resolved by cleaning and oiling the tracks.

Remove the old caulking from the space between the window stop (the one on the inside) and the frame of the window. Then scrape away any accumulated paint. Use a sharp knife and place sheets of plastic and an air-collecting vacuum cleaner beneath the surface to collect any paint dust or chips.

You can then clean the tracks with a dry cloth, then apply an oil based on silicone to help them slide better. You can purchase this at most home improvement stores, or on the internet. You can test it by moving the sash either upwards or downwards.

If it still jams it could be due to a problem with the sash cord. Verify if the cord is catching or hanging from the sash, or has snapped off completely. It is necessary to re-cord the window If this is the case.

A pin that keeps the rail in place might have lost its grip. It isn't easy to fix and you'll need to call in a professional most often.

If a pin doesn't fall out, but the wood has become warped or swollen it's a good idea use a wood softener on it. This is a quick drying liquid that can help restore damaged wood, which means you'll be able repair your window sash without having to take it off completely. After you've used it, you can pull the two sashes apart by placing a piece wood on the bottom corner of the window where they meet.

Draughts

Draughts are a significant issue for windows with sash windows that are old particularly in winter months. They are usually caused by decayed wood, cracked putty or worn sash cords. This causes cold air to get inside the window, making it difficult to warm your home. There are some ways to prevent draughts from entering your sash windows, such as filling any gaps with expanding foam or using strips to block draughts that you can purchase from most hardware stores. They are efficient, but they will need to replace them periodically as the foam expands with usage.

Gapseal is a longer-lasting solution. It's a spongy rubbly seal that can be cut and push into the gaps between the sash window frames. It can be used 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 applied over the time of your windows' life, but it can provide an option for the long term and is simple to remove when you wish to open the window.

Another popular DIY draught proofing solution is to use cling film that is scrunched up and placed into the gaps around your window. This is an effective draught stopper but the downside is that it can hinder sash movement completely and may be an hazard to fire. The sash needs to be removed in order to reopen the window and the clingfilm must be to be reapplied each time the sash is closed.

As part of a general renovation, you can have your window draught-proofed. This could include the replacement of sash cords, staff beads, parting beads, lubrication of pulley wheels and rebalancing the weights, and home painting or staining the frames and sashes. This will help restore the function of the sash and increase its energy efficiency, in addition to dealing with any minor timber imperfections. It is less disruptive than taking out the windows and can help reduce draughts, improve the thermal efficiency and dramatically reduce costs.

Decay

If your sash windows have suffered from decay or damage, the good news is they are not necessarily beyond repair. The frames of these windows are usually constructed from high-quality timber. With the proper restoration, they can be restored to provide high performance for many more years. The key is regularly checking the frames and ensuring that the timber is properly ventilated to avoid moisture build up, which can cause wood to rot.

The majority of issues you will face with sash windows are easily visible on a close inspection, but certain issues are more difficult to identify. Particularly, wood decay is a very difficult problem to fix because fungus can eat away at the wood. It is possible to repair rotten sections of timber, however, the best method to stop further decay is to ensure that the timber is kept dry.

First, take off any paint from the hardware. The bottom rail and meeting rail could have to be removed from the frame (depending on the location of your sash). You'll then have to remove the "pocket covers" that are pieces of wood on the side of the frame that are low down that provide access to the weights (the partsing beads run along the middle of them). You may require a sharp knife to take them if they're attached by nails or paint. Once the pockets are gone, you can begin to chisel out any wood rot, and then apply a high-quality water-resistant wood filler. After the wood filler has dried, a primer coat should be applied to stop further decay.

It is a smart idea to inspect inside the window for weights of the sash to ensure that they are in balance. They should not be misaligned, or pulling one side more strongly than the other. If they are not balanced the sash is liable to fall off its track and cause damage to the frame. The sash weights can be replaced with new ones or a new balancing mechanism can be installed that will stop the sashes from swinging towards the wrong side of the window frame.

Poor Security

Sash windows are susceptible to wear and tear from weather and wear over time. As time passes, this could cause wood decay, which requires to be replaced, a costly repair that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. Water marks under the window or a frame that is soft could be a sign of decaying wood. It is important to consult an expert to evaluate the situation and determine if any sash window repairs are necessary.

In time the rails on the bottom may also be damaged. Water marks on the sill or a window that is soft to the touch could be an indication of this. A professional will be needed to evaluate the situation and recommend any needed repair of sash windows or replacement.

double glazed window repairs and triple-glazed Sash windows do a fantastic job of keeping noise pollution out of your home, but it can be a cause for worry when they begin to let it back in. If this is happening the structural integrity of windows' sash could be at risk, and they will most likely require to be replaced with an alternative option.

A common sash repair problem is when the sash becomes stuck in the frame. It could be due to a snapped sash cord or the result of an issue with the sash or ratchets. If it is the latter scenario, a little gentle persuasion is usually enough to get the window to be opened to reopen. Alternatively, the ratchets must be reset.

This problem can be resolved by removing the sash and cleaning the tracks. Once the tracks are clean remove any security fittings that could be present. Lastly, carefully removing the sash cords and chains will allow the sash to be removed. The staff bead can be sealed using a draught-proof seal to reduce the risk of draughts. This will 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 sash's operation and also reduce the risk of draughts.