20 Things You Need To Know About Sash Window Repair

Sash Window Repair

Sash windows can get out of balance and break. Pam browses the internet for salvaged wavy glasses, 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 bed each pane by putting a rope of glazing material into the rabbet groove, or pocket around the opening. This reduces drafts and reduce the cost of heat loss.

Sashes that stick Sashes

If your double-hung window becomes stuck, it's a nightmare. They'll sway during a storm and you'll lose your view. On the other side, a window that's too loose will let external air and noise through, and your energy bills may increase. Both of these scenarios are not optimal, but they can be rectified by using the appropriate tools and persistence.

A common problem with old windows that are weighted is that paint can get sucked into the channels that they slide on, making them jam. The majority of these issues can be solved by cleaning and oiling the tracks.

Start by removing the caulking that was between the window stop (the internal one) and the window frame. Then scrape off any accumulated paint. Use a sharp knife and put sheets of plastic as well as a dust-collecting vacuum cleaner below the surface to collect any paint dust or chips.

Then, clean the tracks using a dry cloth, and apply a silicone lubricant for more smooth gliding. You can purchase this at most home improvement stores, or on the internet. Then move the sash up or down to test it.

If it continues to stop the sash cable could be defective. Examine the sash cord to determine if the cord is caught or hanging from the sash, or has snapped completely. You'll need to re-cord your window if this is the situation.

Another reason for a jam is that a pin that holds the meeting rail in place has slipped away. This can be tricky to repair, and you'll have to contact a professional in most cases.

If a pin isn't falling out, but the wood has gotten warped or swollen it's a good idea to apply a wood hardener to it. This liquid will dry quickly and fitting can restore damaged wood. You won't have to take out your sash windows to repair them. After using it, you can pull off the two sashes by placing a piece wood on the lower corner of the window where they meet.

Draughts

Draughts can be a major issue for windows with sash windows that are old particularly in winter months. They are often caused by decaying wood, cracked putty or worn sash cords. This can allow cold air to enter the window, making it difficult to warm your home. You can prevent draughts by filling gaps with expanding foam or using draught-excluding strips found in many hardware stores. They are efficient, but they will require replacement periodically as the foam expands with usage.

Gapseal is a stronger 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 on its own or with adhesive strips on the bottom and top of the frame. This is costly and you'll have to apply it several times throughout the life of your window. However, it's an affordable fix that is simple to remove.

Another popular DIY method of draughtproofing is to use cling film that is scrunched up and pushed into all the gaps around your window. This is a good draught-stopper however it could also hinder the sash's movement and cause a fire. Furthermore the sash will have to be removed for you to re-open the window and the cling film has to be reapplied each time you close the sash.

An alternative that is less expensive 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, as well as the oiling and rebalancing of the pulley wheel. It may also include painting or staining of the frames and sashes. This can restore the sash to its original function and increase its energy efficiency, and repair any minor defects in the wood. It is much less disruptive than replacing windows completely and will dramatically reduce draughts as well as improve your home's thermal efficiency.

Decay

If your windows with sash have suffered decay or damage, the good news is that they aren't necessarily unfixable. The frames of these windows are generally constructed from high-quality timber. With the proper restoration they can be repaired to give you the best performance for a long time. The key is regularly checking the frames and making sure that the wood is well ventilated to prevent moisture accumulation which can cause wood to rot.

The majority of the issues you'll encounter with sash windows will be easily visible on a close examination, however some are more difficult to detect. Particularly, wood decay is a very difficult problem to fix because fungus eats away at the wood. While it is possible to repair wood that is rotten but the best way to prevent further decay is to keep the timber dry.

The first thing to do is to strip any paint off the hardware. It could be necessary to remove the bottom rail from the frame, and the rail for meeting (this will depend on the position of the sash). The "pocket covers", which are small pieces of wood on the frame's sides that allow access to the weights, must be removed. It is possible to use a sharp knife to remove them if they're fixed or painted. After the pockets have been removed, you can start slicing out any wood decay and apply an extremely high-quality, water-resistant filler. Once the filler has dried the primer must be applied to prevent further decay.

It is a good idea to check the sash weights within the window too to ensure that they are balanced and not misaligned or pulling one side more than the other. If they are not balanced the sash is liable to drop off its track and cause damage to the frame. You can replace the sashweights with new ones, or install an entirely new balance system to stop the sash from swinging in the wrong direction.

Poor Security

Sash windows are vulnerable to wear and tear from the weather over time. This can lead to decay of the timber, which requires replacement. Water marks on the window or Fitting a frame that is soft could indicate decay of the wood. It is crucial to speak with an expert to evaluate the situation, and determine if repairs to the window sash are needed.

Similarly, over time the bottom rails can be damaged. This can be seen by the presence of water marks on the sill or by the window becoming soft. A professional will be required to assess the situation, and recommend any necessary repair of sash windows or replacement.

It is a major concern when double glazing repairs near me and triple glazed windows start to let noise pollution back into the house. If this is happening the structural integrity of windows could be at risk and it will likely need to be replaced by a different option.

A common sash window repair problem is when the sash gets stuck in the frame. It could be due to a snapped cord or a problem with sash rattles. If it's the latter scenario, a little gentle persuasion is usually enough to get the window to open again - or alternatively, the ratchets need to be reset.

Removal of the sash from the frame and clearing the tracks of any dust or dirt can often aid in resolving this problem. Once the tracks are clean take off any security fittings that may be present. Lastly, carefully removal of the sash cords as well as chains will allow the sash to be removed. The staff bead can be sealed using a draught-proof seal that will reduce the possibility of draughts. This can also improve the paint finish. The gap between the box and sash could be filled with decorators caulk in order to improve sash operation and reduce draughts.