20 Fun Facts About Sash Window Repair

Sash Window Repair

Sash windows can go out of balance and crack. Pam browses the internet for salvaged wavy glasses, and keeps an eye out for discarded metal sashweights. She then hunts for replacements in the form of nuts or washers to balance her window.

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

Sashes that stick Sashes

It's a nightmare when double-hung windows become stuck. You'll lose sight if they rattle during a thunderstorm. A window that's too loose can let in air and noise, which will increase your energy costs. Neither scenario is optimal, but both can be addressed with the proper tools and determination.

Paint can get splattered on the channels of old weighted window tracks, which can cause them to block. Most of these problems can be solved by cleaning and oiling the tracks.

Take the caulking off of the space between the window stop (the one on the inside) and the frame of the window. Scrape off any paint that has built up. Be sure to use a sharp blade, and then put up sheets of plastic and a vacuum cleaner right below to contain any paint dust and window repairs chips.

Clean the tracks using a dry cloth, and apply a silicone lubricant for better sliding. You can find this at the majority of home improvement stores or on the internet. You can test it by dragging the sash upwards or downwards.

If it continues to block the sash cable could be defective. Examine the sash cord to determine if the cord is catching or hanging in the sash, or has snapped off completely. If this is the case, you'll need to re-cord the window.

A pin that keeps the rail in place could have lost its grip. It can be difficult to fix and you'll require the help of an expert most times.

If a pin isn't falling out, but the wood has gotten swollen or warped it's a good idea use a wood softener on it. It's a fast drying liquid that can help restore damaged wood, which means you'll be able to fix your window without having to remove it completely. After you've used it you should be able to pry the two sashes apart by placing a block of wood on the bottom corner where they meet, and tapping it lightly with the Hammer.

Draughts

Draughts can be a concern with old sash window particularly in winter. They are often caused by decaying wood, cracked putty or worn cords for sash. This causes cold air to enter the upvc window repairs near me, making it more difficult to warm your home. You can stop drafts by filling in gaps with expanding foam, or using draught-excluding strips available at most hardware shops. They are efficient, but they will require replacing them regularly as the foam expands over time with usage.

Gapseal is a more permanent solution that is more permanent. It's a spongy rubbly seal that can be cut and push into the gaps between the window frames of the sash. It can be applied on its own or with adhesive strips placed on the bottom and top of the frame. This option is quite costly and will have to be applied over the time of your windows' life, but it can provide an option for the long term and is easy to take off when you wish to open the window.

Another popular DIY draught proofing solution is to use cling film scrunched up and placed into the gaps around your window. This is a great draught stopper, but the drawback is that it could block sash travel completely and may be an hazard to fire. In addition, the sash will need to be removed for you to re-open the window and the cling film will need to be applied every time you close the sash.

As part of a general refurbishment you can have your window draught-proofed professionally. This could include new sash cords as well as parting beads, staff beads, lubrication of the pulley wheels and rebalancing of the weights, and staining or painting 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 timber. It's much less disruptive than replacing windows completely and will dramatically reduce draughts as well as improve the thermal efficiency of your home.

Decay

If your windows with sash have suffered damage or decay the good news is they aren't necessarily unfixable. The frames of these windows are usually constructed from high-quality timber. With the right restoration they can be rehabilitated to give you the best performance for many years to come. The key is regularly checking the frames and making sure that the wood is properly ventilated to stop the accumulation of moisture, which can cause wood decay.

Most of the problems that you'll encounter with sash windows are evident upon close inspection, but some are harder to spot. Particularly, wood decay is a difficult problem to treat because fungus consumes the wood. It is possible to fix rotten sections of timber, however the best way to avoid further rot is to make sure the wood is kept dry.

The first step is to remove any paint from the hardware. The bottom rail and meeting rail could require removal from the frame (depending on the location of your sash). You'll then have to take off the "pocket covers" which are bits of wood on the side of the frame that are low down that give access to the weights (the parting beads run down the middle of them). These are often nailed in place and stuck with paint, so you'll likely need to use a knife to get them off. Once the pockets are gone, you can begin to remove any wood that is rotting, and then apply a high-quality, water-resistant wood filler. After the filler has dried, a coat of primer should be applied to guard against further decay.

It is a smart idea to check inside the window the sashweights to make sure they are balanced. They shouldn't be displaced, or pulling one side more than the other. The sash may slide off the track if they aren't properly balanced. This could cause the frame to fall or even be damaged. The sash weights can be replaced with new ones or a new balance mechanism can be fitted to stop the sashes from bouncing to the wrong side of the window frame.

Poor Security

Over time, sash windows can become exposed to the elements and prone to deterioration due to weather and general wear. As time passes, this could lead to timber decay which requires to be replaced, a costly repair that needs to be dealt with as soon as is possible. Wood decay can be detected by water marks beneath the window or by the frame becoming soft to the touch. It is essential to speak with an expert to assess the situation, and determine if any sash window repairs are necessary.

In the same way, over time, the rails on the bottom can become damaged. Sills that have water marks or a window which is soft to the touch could be a sign of this. A professional will be needed to assess the situation, and recommend any needed resealing of sash windows components or replacement.

Double and triple-glazed sash windows do an amazing job at keeping noise from entering your home, and it could be a real cause for concern when they start to let it in. If this is happening, the structural integrity of the windows could be at risk and it will likely need to be replaced with a different option.

A common sash window repair problem is when the sash gets stuck in the frame. This could be caused by a snapped sash cord or it could be a sign of a problem with the sash ratchets. If the issue is with the sash's the ratchets, some gentle pressure is usually enough.

This problem can be resolved by taking the sash off and cleaning the tracks. After the tracks have been cleaned remove any security fittings that might be present. Lastly, carefully taking off the sash cords and chains will allow the sash be removed. The staff bead can be sealed using a draught-proof seal to reduce draughts. This can also improve the finish of paint. Decorators caulk can be used to fill in the gap between the sash's box and the sash. This will enhance the operation of the sash and decrease the possibility of draughts.