A Comprehensive Guide To Sash Window Repair. Ultimate Guide To Sash Window Repair Sash Window Repair

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

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

Sticking Sashes

When your double-hung window gets stuck in the middle, it's an absolute nightmare. You'll lose sight in the event that they shake during a thunderstorm. On the other the other hand, windows that are too loose will allow external air and noise in, and your energy bills can increase. Neither scenario is optimal, but both can be fixed with the appropriate tools and perseverance.

Paint can accumulate on the channels of old weighted sash window tracks, which can cause them to block. The majority of these issues can be resolved by cleaning and oiling the tracks.


Take the caulking off of 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 an air-collecting vacuum cleaner beneath the surface to catch any paint dust or chips.

You can then clean the tracks with a dry cloth, and apply a silicone-based lubricant that will make them more gliding. You can find this at most home improvement stores, or on the internet. You can test it by moving the sash either upwards or downwards.

If it continues to jam the sash cable could be faulty. Check to see whether the cord is caught or hanging from the sash, or if it has snapped completely. If this is the case, you'll need to re-cord the window.

Another possible reason for an obstruction is the pin that holds the meeting rail in place has slipped out. This can be tricky to repair, and you'll have to consult an expert in most cases.

Make use of a wood hardener if the wood is swollen 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 to repair them. After you've used it, you can take the two sashes apart by placing a piece of wood on the lower corner of the window where they meet.

Draughts

Draughts are a major problem for old sash windows particularly in winter months. They are often caused by rotten wood or cracked putty, worn weights for sash or sash cords that aren't balanced which can allow cold air to seep in around the window and make it difficult to keep your home warm. There are a few options you can take to stop draughts from coming through your sash windows, such as filling any gaps with expanding foam or using draught excluder strips that you can purchase at many hardware stores. They can be very effective, but they'll need to be replaced periodically because the foam expands and wears away with time.

A more permanent option is Gapseal which is a spongy rubbbery seal that can be cut to size and push into the gaps between the window frames of your sash. It can be used alone or with adhesive strips on the top and bottom. This is a bit costly and must be applied over the duration of your window's life, but it can provide a long-term solution and is easy to take off when you wish to open the window.

Cling film can also be used to stop drafts. Simply roll it up and then insert it into the gaps that surround your window. This is a great draught-stopper however it could also hinder the sash's movement and cause a fire. Additionally the sash will have to be removed for you to re-open the door and the cling film will need to be applied each time you close the sash.

A more cost-effective solution is to have your window sash professionally draughtproofed as part of a general refurbishment service. This may include the fitting of new sash strings staff beads and parting beads as well as the lubrication and rebalancing of the weights and the lubrication and rebalancing the pulley wheel. It may also include staining or painting the frames and the sashes. This can help to restore the sash's function and improve its energy efficiency, in addition to dealing with any minor timber imperfections. It's less disruptive than taking out the windows and will reduce drafts, enhance thermal performance and significantly reduce costs.

Decay

The good news is that windows' sash frames aren't in need of repair if they've been damaged or degraded. The timber used to construct the frames of these windows is generally of a very high quality and, with proper restoration, they can be restored to provide a high level of performance for many years. Regular inspections are essential in ensuring that the wood is properly ventilated. This will help prevent the accumulation of moisture that can lead to wood decay.

The majority of issues that arise from sash windows are readily evident, but some are more difficult to spot. Particularly, decay of wood is a difficult problem to fix because fungus eats away at the wood. Although it is possible to repair wood that is rotten, the best way to prevent further rot is by keeping the wood dry.

First, take off any paint from the hardware. The bottom rail and the connecting rail could require removal 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 in the side of the frame that are low down that give access to the weights (the parting beads run down the middle of them). You may require a sharp knife to remove them if they are attached by nails or paint. After the pockets have been removed, you can begin to remove any wood that is rotting, and apply a good quality, water-resistant wood filler. Once the filler is dry the primer coat must be applied to prevent further decay.

It is a smart idea to check inside the window the weights of the sash to ensure that they are in balance. They should not be in the wrong alignment, or pulling one side harder than the other. The sash can 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 fitted to stop the sashes from swinging to the opposite side of the window frame.

Poor Security

Over time sash windows are exposed to the elements and susceptible to damage from weather and general wear. In time, this may lead to timber decay which requires to be replaced, a costly repair that needs to be dealt with as soon as is possible. Water marks on the window or on a softened frame could indicate decay of the wood. A professional consultation will be required to determine the condition and recommend any necessary repair work to the sash window.

Over time, the bottom rails may also be damaged. This can be spotted 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 needed repair of sash windows or replacement.

It can be a real concern when triple and double glazing windows begin to let noise pollution back into the house. If this happens the structural integrity could be in danger and the sash windows will need to be replaced.

A typical sash window repair problem is when the sash gets stuck in the frame. This could be caused by a snapped cord or a problem with sash the ratchets. If the latter is the case scenario, a little gentle persuasion can usually help the window open to reopen. Alternatively, the ratchets will need to be reset.

Removal of the sash from the frame and clearing the tracks of dirt or dust will often aid in resolving this issue. After cleaning the tracks, take off any security fittings and carefully remove the chains or cords that hold the sash. A draught seal could be placed around the staff bead to reduce the appearance of 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 decrease draughts.