Sash Window Repair

Sash windows could be out of balance or break. Pam is on the lookout on the internet for salvaged wavy glasses, and keeps an eye open for discarded metal sashweights. She then hunts for replacements in the form of washers or nuts to balance her window.

Pam will bed each pane by placing a rope of glazing material into the rabbet groove, or pocket around the opening. This reduces drafts and expensive heat loss.

Sashes that stick Sashes

It's a nightmare when your double-hung windows become stuck. You'll lose sight when they squeak during a thunderstorm. A window that's too loose may allow in air and noise which could increase your energy bills. Both scenarios are not ideal but they can be fixed with the proper tools and perseverance.

Paint can get splattered on the channels of the 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.

Begin by removing the caulking between the window stop (the interior one) and the window frame. Scrape off any paint that has been accumulating. Be sure to make use of a sharp blade and set up sheets of plastic and a vacuum cleaner directly below to keep any paint dust and chips.

Then, clean the tracks with a dry cloth and apply a silicone lubricant for better gliding. It is available at most home improvement stores, or on the internet. You can test it by moving the sash either upwards or downwards.

If it is still jamming it could be an issue with the sash cord. Examine the sash cord to determine if the cord is catching or hanging from the sash, or if it has snapped completely. It is necessary to re-cord the window if this is the situation.

A pin that keeps the rail in place might have been ripped out. It isn't easy to fix and you'll need to call in an expert most of the time.

If a pin doesn't fall out but the wood has gotten warped or swollen it's recommended to use a wood hardener on it. This liquid will dry quickly and can help restore damaged wood. You won't have to remove your sash windows to repair them. After using it, Window repair you'll be able remove the two sashes by placing a block of wood on the top of the corner where they meet and tapping it lightly with a Hammer.

Draughts

Draughts are a significant issue for windows with sash windows that are old particularly during 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 and make it difficult to keep your home warm. There are a few options you can take to help prevent draughts in your windows with sash, for example, filling any gaps with foam that expands or draught excluder strips that you can purchase from most hardware stores. These are effective, but they'll have to be replaced from time to time as the foam expands and wears away with time.

Gapseal is a stronger 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 at the top and bottom. This option is quite costly and must be reapplied over the course of your windows' life, but it can provide a long-term solution and is easy to remove when you wish to open the window.

Another popular DIY draught proofing solution is to use cling film that is scrunched up and put into every gap around your window. This is an effective draught stopper but the downside is that it could hinder sash movement completely and pose an hazard to fire. The sash needs to be removed in order to reopen the window, and the clingfilm must be reapplied every time the sash is closed.

As part of a general renovation it is possible to have your window draught-proofed professionally. This could include the installation of new sash strings, parting beads and staff beads in addition to the lubrication and rebalancing the weights and the lubrication and rebalancing the pulley wheel. It could also involve staining or painting of the frames and sashes. This could bring the sash back to its original function and improve its energy efficiency, and repair any minor defects in the timber. It's much less disruptive than replacing the windows completely and will dramatically reduce drafts and enhance your home's thermal performance.

Decay

If your windows with sash have suffered damage or decay the good news is that they are not necessarily beyond repair. The wood used in 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. Regular inspections are crucial in ensuring that the wood is adequately ventilated. This will prevent the accumulation of moisture that can cause wood rot.

The majority of issues that arise with sash window are easily evident, but some are more difficult to spot. Wood decay is particularly difficult to fix, as fungus can eat the wood. It is possible to fix rotten sections of timber, but the best way to prevent future decay is to ensure the wood is kept 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). You will then need to take off the "pocket covers" which are pieces of wood on the side of the frame low down that provide access to the weights (the parting beads run through the middle of them). They can be nailed in place and stuck with paint, so you'll likely require an instrument to break them out of the way. Once the pockets are removed you can begin to chisel out any wood rot, and then apply a high-quality water-resistant wood filler. Once the filler is dry, it is recommended that a coat of primer be applied to guard against further decay.

It is recommended to inspect the sash weights inside the window, too to make sure they are balanced and not misaligned or pulling one side more than the other. The sash could be thrown off its track if they are not properly balanced. This could cause the frame to fall or even be damaged. You can replace the sashweights using new ones, or put in an entirely new balance system to stop the sash from swinging in the wrong way.

Poor Security

Sash windows are susceptible to wear and damage from the weather over time. As time passes, this could lead to timber decay which requires to be replaced - costly repair that needs to be addressed as quickly as 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 needed to assess the situation and recommend any needed sash window repair work.

As time passes the rails on the bottom may also be damaged. This can be seen by the presence of water marks on the sill, or the window becoming soft to touch. A professional consultation will also be required to evaluate the situation and recommend any resealing or replacement of the sash window's components.

Double and triple-glazed sash windows do an amazing job at keeping noise out of your home, but it can be a real cause for worry when they begin to let it in. If this happens the structural integrity of the sash windows may be at risk, and they is likely to need to be replaced with an alternative option.

A common sash window repair problem is the sash becoming stuck in the frame. This can be caused by an untidy cord or problems with sash rattles. If it is the latter the gentle persuasion is usually enough to get the window to open and then the ratchets need to be reset.

Removal of the sash from the frame and removing the tracks of any dirt or dust will often aid in resolving this issue. Once the tracks are clean remove any security fittings that might be present and then carefully removal of the sash cords as well as chains will allow the sash to be removed. A draught seal may be put on the staff bead to reduce the appearance of the paint finish. The gap between the box and the sash can then be filled with decorators caulk to improve the operation of the sash and decrease draughts.