A Step-By Step Guide To Sash Window Repair

Sash Window Repair

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

Pam covers each pan with a rope of glazing compound she works into the rabbet groove, also known as a pocket, that is around the opening. This reduces drafts and costly heat loss.

Sticking Sashes

It's a nightmare if your double glazed window repairs-hung windows become stuck. They'll shake in the event of a storm and you'll lose view. A window that is too loose can let in air and noise which can increase your energy costs. Both of these scenarios are not optimal, but they can be rectified with the right tools and persistence.

Paint can get splattered on the channels of the old weighted sash window tracks, causing them to become jammed. The majority of these issues can be resolved by cleaning and oiling the tracks.

Take the caulking off of the space between the upvc window repairs stop (the one on the inside) and the frame of the window. Then scrape away any paint that has accumulated. Make use of a sharp knife, and put sheets of plastic as well as dust-collecting vacuum cleaners below the surface to catch any paint dust or chips.

Then, wipe the tracks with a dry cloth and apply a silicone lubricant for more smooth glide. You can find this in most home improvement stores, or online. Then, you can move the sash up or down to test it.

If it is still jamming, there could be a problem with the sash cord. Examine whether the cord is stuck or hanging from the sash, or if it's snapped. You'll need to re-cord your window in the event of this.

Another reason for a jam is the pin that holds the meeting rail in place has fallen out. It isn't easy to fix and you'll have to call an expert most of the time.

Make use of a wood hardener in the event that the wood is swollen and warped, but there's not a pin. It's a fast drying liquid that can help restore damaged wood, which means you'll be able to repair your sash window without having to remove it completely. After using it, you can take the two sashes apart by placing a piece of wood in the lower corner of the window where they meet.

Draughts

Draughts can cause problems with sash windows that are old particularly in winter. They are often caused by rotten wood cracks, cracked putty, deteriorated sash cords or unbalanced weights which can allow cold air to seep into the window and make it difficult to keep your home warm. There are a few things you can do to stop draughts from coming through your sash windows, such as filling any gaps with expanding foam or using strips to prevent draughts. These can purchase at many hardware stores. They are efficient, but they will need to replace them periodically as the foam expands with use.

Gapseal is a stronger solution that is more permanent. It's a spongy rubbly seal that can be cut and then push into the gaps between the window frames of the sash. It can be used on its own or with adhesive strips at the top and bottom. This option is costly and you'll need to apply it several times over the life of your window. However, it's an effective long-term fix and simple to remove.

Cling film can also be used to block drafts. Simply scrunch it up and then insert it into the gaps that surround your window. This is a great draught-stopper however, it could also block the sash's movement and even 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.

As part of a general renovation you can have your sash window professionally draught-proofed. This could include new sash cords and parting beads, staff beads, lubrication for the pulley wheels, and rebalancing the weights, and painting or staining the frames and sashes. This can help to restore the function of the sash and increase its energy efficiency, in addition to fixing any minor wood defects. It's less disruptive than removing the windows and can help reduce draughts, increase the thermal efficiency and dramatically reduce costs.

Decay

If your sash windows have suffered from decay or damage, the good news is they aren't necessarily damaged beyond repair. The timber used to construct the frames of these windows is typically of high-quality and, with the right restoration, can be revived to provide a high level of performance for many years. The key is regularly checking the frames and ensuring that the wood is properly ventilated to stop the accumulation of moisture, which can cause wood to rot.

The majority of issues that you'll encounter with sash windows are readily apparent on close visual inspection, but some are more difficult to detect. Particularly, wood decay is a difficult problem to fix because fungus consumes the wood. It is possible to repair rotten sections of timber, however, the best method to avoid further rot is to make sure the wood is kept dry.

First, clean any paint from the hardware. The bottom rail and the meeting rail may need to be removed 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 that are located on the sides of the frame that are low down that provide access to the weights (the partsing beads run along the middle of them). You may need to use a sharp knife for removing them if they are fixed or painted. Once the pockets are removed you can begin to chisel away any wood that is rotting, and apply a good quality water-resistant wood filler. Once the filler has dried the primer must be applied to guard against further decay.

It is recommended to inspect the sash weights within the window as well to make sure they are in balance and not misaligned or pulling one side more than the other. If they're not balanced, the sash is liable to drop off its track and could break or damage the frame. You can replace the sashweights using new ones or install an updated balancing system to prevent the sash from swinging in the wrong direction.

Poor Security

Over time, sash windows can become exposed to the elements and sash window repair prone to deterioration due to weather and general wear. In time, this may lead to timber decay which in turn will need to be replaced, costly repair that needs to be addressed as quickly as possible. Water marks under the window or on a softened frame can indicate wood decay. A professional consultation is needed to assess the situation and recommend any needed repairs to the sash window.

As time passes, the bottom rails may also be damaged. Sills that have water marks or a window which is soft to the touch may be an indication of this. A professional is required to evaluate the situation and recommend any repair of sash windows or replacement.

It can be very concerning when double and triple glazing windows begin to let noise pollution back into the home. If this occurs the structural integrity could be at risk and the sash window may have to be replaced.

A typical sash window repair problem is when the sash gets stuck in the frame. It could be due to a snapped sash cord, or it could be a sign of an issue with the sash's ratchets. If it is the latter the gentle persuasion is usually enough to get the window to open to reopen. Alternatively, the ratchets need to be reset.

This issue can be fixed by taking off the sash and cleaning the tracks. Once the tracks are clean take off any security fittings that could be present and then carefully taking off the sash cords and chains will allow the sash to be removed. A draught seal may be placed around the staff bead to decrease draughts and improve 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.