Sash Window Repair

Sash windows could be out of balance, or even break. Pam searches the web for salvaged wavy glasses and keeps an eye open for discarded sashweights made of metal. She then looks for replacements, chumphonburihos.com like washers or nuts, to ensure that her window is balanced.

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

Sashes that stick Sashes

It's a nightmare when your double glazed window repair-hung windows become stuck. They'll rattle in the event of storms, and you'll lose your view. A window that's too loose can let air and noise in which can increase your energy costs. Both scenarios are not ideal, but both can be fixed with the right tools and a little perseverance.

Paint can build up on the channels of old weighted sash window tracks, causing them to block. Luckily, most issues with this can be solved through cleaning and lubricating 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 paint that's built up. Make use of a sharp knife and place sheets of plastic and a dust-collecting vacuum cleaner below the surface to catch any paint dust or chips.

Clean the tracks using a dry cloth, and apply a silicone-based lubricant to make them more gliding. You can purchase this at most home improvement stores, or online. Then, move the sash upwards or down to test it.

If it is still jamming it could be due to an issue with the sash cord. Examine the sash cord to determine if the cord is catching or hanging from the sash, or has snapped off completely. You'll need to re-cord your window if this is the situation.

A pin that keeps the rail in place may have lost its grip. 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 become swollen or warped, it's a good idea to use a wood hardener on it. This liquid will dry quickly and can help restore damaged wood. It's not necessary to take out the windows on your sash to repair them. After you've used it you should be able to pry the two sashes apart by placing a block of wood on the bottom corner where they meet, and tapping it lightly using the tool.

Draughts

Draughts can be a major issue for windows with sash windows that are old particularly in winter months. Often caused by rotten timbers cracks, cracked putty, deteriorated weights, or sash cords that are not balanced that let cold air seep into the window and make it difficult to keep your home warm. There are a few ways to prevent draughts from entering your windows with sash, for example, filling any gaps with expanding foam or strips to block draughts that you can purchase from most hardware stores. They can be very efficient, but they'll have to be replaced from time to time as the foam expands and gets worn away with use.

Gapseal is a longer-lasting solution. It's a spongy rubbbery seal you can cut and push in the gaps between the sash window frames. It can be used by itself or with adhesive strips at the top and bottom. This is a bit costly and will need to be reapplied over the time of your windows' lifetime but it does offer an option for the long term and 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 that surround your window. This is a reliable draught stopper but the downside is that it could stop sash movement completely and could pose an hazard to fire. The sash must be removed in order to reopen the window, and the clingfilm will need to be applied every time the sash is closed.

An alternative that is less expensive is to have your window sash professionally draughtproofed as part of a complete refurbishment service. This could include new sash cords, parting beads, staff beads, lubrication of pulley wheels and rebalancing of the weights, in addition to 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 imperfections. It's less disruptive than taking out the windows, and can reduce draughts, increase the thermal efficiency and dramatically reduce costs.

Decay

If your sash windows have suffered from damage or decay the good news is that they are not necessarily beyond repair. The timber used in the frames of these windows is usually of very high-quality and, with the right restoration, can be restored to offer a high level of performance for a long time. Regular inspections are crucial, as is ensuring the wood is properly ventilated. This will stop the build-up of moisture that could cause wood decay.

The majority of issues you will encounter with sash windows are evident upon close examination, however some are harder to spot. Wood decay is particularly difficult to treat, since the fungus consumes the wood. While it is possible repair damaged timber, the best way to avoid future decay is to keep the wood dry.

First, remove any paint from the hardware. It may be necessary to remove the bottom rail from the frame and the rail for meeting (this will depend on the location of the sash). The "pocket covers", which are small pieces of wood that are placed on the frame's sides that permit access to the weights, will need to be removed. You may require a sharp knife to remove them if they're fixed or painted. After the pockets have been removed, you can begin to chisel away any wood rot, and apply a good quality, water-resistant wood filler. Once the filler is dry, it is recommended that a coat of primer be applied to prevent further decay.

It is an excellent idea to examine the sash's weights inside the window too to ensure that they are in balance and not misaligned or pulling one side more than the other. If they aren't balanced, the sash can drop 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, which will stop the sashes from swinging towards the opposite side of the window frame.

Poor Security

Sash windows are vulnerable to wear and damage from the weather over time. This can cause decay of the timber, which requires replacement. Water marks on the window or on a softened frame can indicate wood decay. A professional consultation will be required to determine the condition and recommend any needed repairs to the sash window.

In time the rails at the bottom can also be damaged. The sill may show water marks, or a window that is soft to the touch may be a sign of this. A professional will be needed to evaluate the situation and recommend any necessary repair of sash windows or replacement.

It can be very concerning when triple or double glazing windows begin to let noise pollution back into the house. If this is happening, the structural integrity of the windows' sash could be in danger and is likely to need to be replaced by a different option.

A common sash repair problem is when the sash gets stuck in the frame. It could be due to an untidy cord or an issue with the sash's rattles. If the issue is related to the sash ratchets, a little gentle persuasion is often the best solution.

The sash should be removed from the frame and clearing the tracks of dirt or dust can aid in resolving this issue. After cleaning the tracks, remove any security fittings and then remove the chains or cords that hold the sash. A draught seal can then be applied around the staff bead to decrease draughts and enhance the appearance of the paint finish. Decorators caulk can be used to fill in the gap between the sash's sash box and the sash. This will enhance the operation of the sash and reduce the possibility of draughts.