10 Real Reasons People Hate Sash Window Repair Sash Window Repair

Sash windows can be out of balance or even break. Pam searches the internet for salvaged waving glass, wavy and is always looking for discarded, metal sash weights. She then seeks replacements, such as nuts or washers, to balance her window.

Pam covers each pan with a rope of glazing compound that she puts into the rabbet groove or pocket, around the opening. This helps to reduce drafts and costly heat loss.

Sticking Sashes

It's a nightmare if your double-hung windows are stuck. They'll be difficult to see when they squeak in a storm. A window that's too loose could let in external noise and air which could increase your energy bills. Both scenarios are not ideal, but both could be solved with the appropriate tools and perseverance.

Paint can accumulate on the channels of old weighted window tracks, which can cause them to block. Fortunately, the majority of issues with this can be solved by cleaning and lubricating the tracks.

Begin by removing the caulking between the window stop (the one inside) and the window frame. Then scrape off any paint that's built up. Make use of a sharp knife and put sheets of plastic as well as an air-collecting vacuum cleaner beneath the surface to catch any paint dust or chips.

Clean window repair with a dry cloth, and apply a silicone-based lubricant that will aid in their smoother movement. The lubricant can be found at most home improvement shops or online. Then, you can move the sash up or down to test it.

If it continues to jam it could be due to an issue with the sash cord. Examine the sash cord to determine if the cord is caught or hanging up in 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 could have been ripped out. It isn't easy to fix and you'll need to call in a professional the majority times.

Use a wood hardener when the wood is swelling and swollen, but there's no pin. It's a quick drying liquid that can help restore damaged wood, and you'll be able to fix your window sash without having to remove it completely. After you've used it, you can take the two sashes apart by placing a piece wood on the lower corner of the window where they meet.

Draughts

Draughts are a significant issue for old sash windows particularly in winter months. Often caused by rotten timbers, cracked putty, worn weights, or sash cords that are not balanced that allow cold air to get in around the window, making it difficult to keep your home warm. You can prevent drafts by filling in gaps with expanding foam, or by using draught-proof strips that are available at most hardware shops. These are effective, but they will require replacing them regularly as the foam expands over time with use.

Gapseal is a more permanent 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 alone or with adhesive strips on the top and bottom. This is a bit costly and will have to be applied over the time of your windows' lifetime but it does offer a long-term solution and is easy to remove when you wish to open the window.

Cling film can also be used to stop drafts. Simply scrunch it and then insert it into the gaps surrounding your window. This is a great draught stopper, but the drawback is that it can hinder sash movement completely and may be a fire hazard. In addition the sash will have to be removed to re-open the door and the cling film has to be applied each time you close the sash.

A better option is to have your windows draught-proofed as part of a complete refurbishment service. This could include the replacement of sash cords as well as staff beads, parting beads, lubrication for the pulley wheels, and rebalancing the weights, in addition to painting or staining the frames and sashes. This can restore the sash to its original purpose and improve its energy efficiency, and repair any minor imperfections in the wood. It's less disruptive than taking out the windows and can help reduce draughts, increase the thermal efficiency and dramatically reduce the cost.

Decay


If your windows are sash and have suffered decay or damage, the good news is they aren't necessarily unfixable. The timber used in the frames of these windows is usually of high-quality and, with the right restoration, can be restored to offer the best performance for a long time. The key is to conduct regular inspections and making sure that the wood is properly ventilated to stop moisture build up, which can cause wood rot.

The majority of the issues that you'll face with sash windows are readily apparent on close visual examination, however some are harder to spot. Wood decay is difficult to repair, since fungus eats the wood. While it is possible repair damaged timber but the best way to prevent further rot is by keeping the wood dry.

First, remove any paint from the hardware. It may be necessary to remove the bottom rail from the frame, and also the meeting rail (this will depend on the position of the sash). The "pocket covers" are tiny pieces of wood placed on the frame's side, which allow access to the weights, should be removed. It is possible to use a sharp knife for removing them if they're painted or nailed into place. Once the pockets are gone, you can begin to remove any wood rot and apply a good quality, water-resistant wood filler. After the filler has dried, it is recommended that a coat of primer be applied to protect against further decay.

It is recommended to inspect the sash weights within the window, too, to ensure that they are in balance and not pulling one side more than the other. If they aren't balanced, the sash is liable to drop off its track and could break or damage the frame. The sash's weights can be replaced with new ones or a new balance mechanism can be installed, which will stop the sashes from swinging towards the wrong side of the frame.

Poor Security

As time passes sash windows are exposed to the elements, and are prone to damage from weather and general wear. Over time, this can result in wood decay that in turn will need to be replaced - a costly repair that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. Wood decay can be detected by water marks under the window or the frame becoming soft to touch. A professional consultation is required to evaluate the situation and recommend any necessary repair work to the sash window.

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

It is a major concern when triple and double glazing windows begin to let noise pollution back into your home. If this happens, the structural integrity may be at stake and the sash windows will need to be replaced.

A typical sash repair issue is when the sash becomes stuck in the frame. This could be caused by an untidy cord or problems with sash ratchets. If the issue is with the sash rats, a bit of gentle persuasion will usually work.

This issue can be fixed by taking off the sash and cleaning the tracks. After the tracks have been cleaned, removing any security fittings that may be present and then carefully removal of the sash cords as well as chains will allow the sash be removed. The staff bead may be sealed with a draught-proof seal to reduce the possibility of draughts. This will also improve the paint finish. The gap between the box and sash can then be filled with decorators caulk in order to improve the operation of the sash and decrease the risk of draughts.