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Sash Window Repair

Sash windows can be out of balance or break. Pam scours the web for salvaged waving glass, wavy and keep an eye out for the sash weights that are discarded, made of metal. She then seeks replacements, such as washers or nuts, to help balance her window.

Pam covers each pan with a rope of glazing compound that she uses to create the rabbet groove, or pocket, around the opening. This reduces drafts and costly heat loss.

Sticking Sashes

When your double glazed window repair-hung window gets stuck and shatters, it's a nightmare. They'll sway in the event of storms, and you'll lose your view. A window that's too loose may allow in air and noise, which will increase your energy costs. Both scenarios are not ideal, but both can be solved with the appropriate tools and perseverance.

Paint can accumulate on the channels of old weighted window tracks, which can cause them to jam. Luckily, most issues with this can be resolved by cleaning and lubricating the tracks.

Begin by removing the caulking between the window stop (the one inside) and the window frame. Scrape away any accumulated paint. Use a sharp knife and place sheets of plastic and 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 to ensure better glide. You can find this in the majority of home improvement stores or online. You can test it by moving the sash upwards or downwards.

If it is still jamming it could be due to a problem with the sash cord. Verify if the cord is caught or hanging from the sash, or if it has snapped completely. If this is the case, you'll have to replace the window's cord.

Another possible cause of an obstruction is the pin that holds the meeting rail in place has fallen out. It can be difficult to repair, and you'll have to consult an expert in the majority of instances.

If a pin doesn't fall out but the wood has gotten swollen or warped, it's a good idea use a wood hardener on it. This liquid will dry quickly and can repair damaged wood. You won't have to take out your sash windows in order to repair them. 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 be a concern with sash windows that are old, especially during the winter. Often caused by rotten timbers or 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 stop drafts by filling in gaps with expanding foam, or by using draught-proof strips that are available at most hardware shops. These are effective however, you will require replacement periodically as the foam expands over time with usage.

Gapseal is a stronger solution that is more permanent. It's a spongy rubbbery seal you can cut and push into the gaps between the sash window frames. It can be applied on its own or in conjunction with adhesive strips on the bottom and top of the frame. This option is quite costly and must be applied over the time of your windows' lifetime but it does offer a long-term solution and is simple to remove if you want to open the window.

Another popular DIY solution to stop drafts is to use cling wrap that is rolled up and pushed into all the gaps around your window. This is a reliable draught stopper but the downside is that it could block sash travel completely and could pose an hazard to fire. Furthermore, the sash will need to be removed to open the window again and the cling film has to be applied each time you close the sash.

As part of a general overhaul, you can have your window draught-proofed. This can include new sash cords, parting beads, staff beads, lubrication for the pulley wheels, and rebalancing the weights, as well as staining or painting the frames and sashes. This can bring the sash back to its original purpose and improve its energy efficiency, and repair any minor defects in the wood. It is less disruptive than taking out the windows and can help reduce drafts, enhance the thermal efficiency and dramatically reduce the cost.

Decay

The good thing is that your frames for sash windows aren't beyond repair if they have been damaged or decayed. The wood used in the frames of these windows is generally of very high-quality and, window repair with the right restoration, can be restored to provide an excellent level of performance for many years. The key is to conduct regular inspections and ensuring that the timber is well ventilated to prevent the accumulation of moisture which can lead to wood decay.

The majority of the issues you'll face with sash windows are easily visible on a close inspection, but certain issues are more difficult to identify. In particular, wood decay is a difficult issue to treat because fungus consumes the wood. Although it is possible to repair wood that is rotten, the best way to prevent further decay is to keep the wood dry.

First, remove any paint from the hardware. The bottom rail and the meeting rail could have to be removed from the frame (depending on the location of your sash). You'll then have to remove the "pocket covers" which are bits of wood in the side of the frame lower down that allow access to the weights (the parting beads run through the middle of them). You may require a sharp knife to remove them if they're attached by nails or paint. Once the pockets are removed you can begin to chisel out any wood rot, and then apply a high-quality water-resistant wood filler. After the filler is dry it is recommended that a primer coat be applied to prevent further decay.

It is an excellent idea to examine the sash weights inside the window as well, to ensure that they are properly balanced and not pulling one side more than the other. If they aren't balanced, the sash can fall off its track and could break or damage the frame. The sash weights could be replaced with new ones or a new balancing mechanism could be fitted to stop the sashes from swinging to the wrong side of the frame.

Poor Security

Over time sash windows become exposed to the elements and susceptible to deterioration due to weather and general wear. In time, this may lead to timber decay which in turn will need to be replaced, an expensive repair that has to be dealt with as soon as possible. Water marks under the window or on a softened frame could indicate decay of the wood. It is crucial to speak with a professional to assess the situation, and determine if repairs to the sash window are required.

Similarly, over time the rails at the bottom may become damaged. This can be spotted by the presence of water marks on the sill or by the window becoming soft to the touch. A professional consultation may be required to assess the situation and recommend any necessary replacement or resealing of the sash window's components.

It can be very concerning when double and triple windows are glazed and start to allow noise pollution back into the house. If this occurs the structural integrity of the window could be at risk and the sash windows will need to be replaced.

A typical sash window repair problem is when the sash gets stuck in the frame. This could be caused by the sash cord being snapped or it could be a sign of a problem with the sash or ratchets. If the problem is with the sash's rats, a bit of gentle persuasion is often the best solution.

The sash should be removed from the frame and cleaning the tracks of any dirt or dust can help resolve this problem. Once the tracks are clean, removing any security fittings that might be present, and then taking off the sash cords and chains will allow the sash to be removed. 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 can then be filled with decorators caulk in order to improve the operation of the sash and lessen draughts.