Sash Window Repair

Sash windows could be out of balance, or 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 nuts or washers to ensure that her window is balanced.

Pam covers each pan with a rope of glazing compound she works into the rabbet groove or pocket, which is located around the opening. This reduces drafts and reduce the cost of heat loss.

Sticking Sashes

When your double-hung window gets stuck in the middle, it's a nightmare. They'll sway during an icy storm and you'll lose view. On the other hand, a window that's too loose will let external noise and air in, and your energy bills could increase. Both of these scenarios are not ideal, but they can be rectified with the appropriate tools and perseverance.

Paint can build up on the channels of old weighted sash window tracks, which can cause them to become jammed. Most of these problems can be resolved by cleaning and oiling the tracks.

Begin by removing the old caulking between the window stop (the interior one) and the window frame. Then scrape away any paint that has accumulated. Make use of a sharp knife, and put plastic sheets and a dust-collecting vacuum cleaner below the surface to catch any paint dust or chips.

Then, wipe the tracks using a dry cloth, and apply a silicone lubricant to ensure better sliding. It is available at many home improvement stores or online. You can test it by moving the sash either upwards or downwards.

If it still jams it could be due to an issue with the sash cord. Verify whether the cord is stuck or hanging in the sash, or if it's snapped. You'll have to re-cord your window if this is the situation.

Another reason for the jam could be the pin that holds the rail in place has slipped away. It can be difficult to fix and you will need to call in a professional most times.

Use a wood hardener if the wood is swollen and warped but there's no pin. It's a quick drying liquid that can help restore damaged wood, so you'll be able repair your window sash without having to take it off completely. After you've used it you should be able to pry the two sashes apart by placing a piece of wood on the bottom corner where they meet, and tapping it lightly using the Hammer.

Draughts

Draughts are a major problem 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 into the window, making it difficult to keep your home warm. You can prevent drafts by filling in gaps with expanding foam, or by utilizing draught-proofing strips that are available at most hardware shops. They can be very effective, but they will need to be replaced from time to time because the foam expands and gets worn away with time.

Gapseal is a more permanent solution. It's a spongy, rubbly seal that you can cut and then push into the gaps between the sash window frames. It can be used alone or in conjunction with adhesive strips at the top and bottom. This is a bit costly and will need to be reapplied over the course of your windows' lifespan, but it is an option more infocheck here for the long term 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 push it into the gaps surrounding your window. This is a reliable draught stopper, but the drawback is that it can stop sash movement completely and could pose an hazard to fire. Furthermore, the sash will need to be removed for you to re-open the door and the cling film has to be applied each time you close the sash.

As part of a general renovation, you can have your window draught-proofed professionally. This can include the installation of new sash strings, parting beads and staff beads in addition to the lubrication and rebalancing the weights, fluidization and rebalancing of the pulley wheel. It may also involve painting or staining of the frames and sashes. This will restore the sash to its original purpose and increase its energy efficiency and correct any minor defects in the wood. It's much less disruptive than replacing the windows completely and will dramatically reduce draughts and improve the thermal efficiency of your home.

Decay

If your windows with sash have suffered decay or damage, the good news is they aren't necessarily unfixable. The timber used to construct the frames of these windows is generally of high-quality and, with proper restoration, they can be restored to offer an excellent level of performance for a long time. The key is regular inspections and ensuring that the timber is well ventilated to prevent moisture build up, which can cause wood rot.

The majority of issues you'll encounter with sash windows are evident upon close inspection, but certain issues are more difficult to identify. Particularly, wood decay is a difficult problem to fix because fungus consumes the wood. Although it is possible to repair rotten timber but the best way to prevent further rot is by keeping the timber dry.

First, clean any paint from the hardware. The bottom rail and the meeting rail may have to be removed from the frame (depending on the location of your sash). The next step is to remove the "pocket covers" that are pieces 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). You may need to use a sharp knife to take the pockets if they're fixed or painted. After the pockets have been removed, you can begin slicing out any wood decay and apply an excellent water-resistant filler. After the filler is dry, a primer coat should be applied to prevent further decay.

It is an excellent idea to examine the sash weights within the window as well to make sure they are properly balanced and not swaying one side more than the other. If they are not balanced the sash can slide off its track and cause damage to the frame. The sash weights can be replaced with new ones or a new balance mechanism can be fitted, which will stop the sashes from bouncing to the wrong side of the frame.

Poor Security

As time passes sash windows are exposed to the elements and susceptible to deterioration from weather and general wear. As time passes, this could result in wood decay that is then required to be replaced - a costly repair that needs to be addressed as quickly as is possible. Wood decay can be spotted by water marks under the window, or by the frame becoming soft to touch. A professional consultation will be required to evaluate the situation and recommend any needed repairs to the sash window.

Over time, the bottom rails may also be damaged. This is evident by the presence of water marks on the sill or the window becoming soft to get more info the here touch. A professional is required to assess the situation, and recommend any resealing of sash windows components or replacement.

It can be very concerning when double and triple windows are glazed and start to allow noise pollution back into your home. If this occurs the structural integrity could be at risk and the sash windows will require replacement.

One common sash window repair problem is that the sash becomes stuck in the frame. This could be caused by a snapped sash cord or a sign of an issue with the sash the ratchets. If it is check here the latter the gentle persuasion is usually enough to get the window open to reopen. Alternatively, the ratchets will need to be reset.

The sash should be removed from the frame and clearing the tracks of dirt or dust will often assist in resolving this issue. After cleaning the tracks, take off any security fittings and carefully remove the sash cords or chains. A draught seal may be applied around the staff bead 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 to improve the operation of the sash and lessen the risk of draughts.