Your Family Will Thank You For Having This Window Sash Repairs

Window Sash Repairs

Window sashes need to be checked regularly for mold, mildew, and damage. By catching these problems early, you can save money on repairs in the future.

The sash is the interior framing that moves vertically up or down in windows that open. This article will show you how to perform several simple repairs to the sash.

Weather Stripping

Wooden window sashes can add an elegant appearance to your home. They are also durable and will last for many years if they are properly maintained. However, they can become damaged or degraded with time due to exposure or normal wear and tear. However, sash repair experts can bring your windows back to their original condition and maintain their appearance for longer than replacement windows.

The first step to repair sash windows is to address weather stripping, which is found on both the sash as well as the frame. If it's worn or loose, out, it can lead to drafts and other problems. Begin by identifying the window brand and the date of manufacture for the glass (etched on the glass's corner or on the aluminum spacers between panes). Remove the sash, and mark its size and width so that you can get replacement weather stripping that matches.

Then, you can remove the sash from the holder and place it on an even surface that allows you to see all four sides. If your sash was double-hung, remove the weights using their ropes that should be buried inside the jamb lining. After you've removed the sash, use a utility knife to cut off the weather stripping from the corners, and then take it off by hand or with a putty knife.

After the sash has been cleared, you can install parting stops. These are long pieces that separate the sashes. Pam prefers to replace them with standard 1/2-inch-by - 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard. However, you can also replace them with scrap wood.

After removing the parting stops and trimming them to your desired length and thickness, apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound with your putty knife, and then let it dry for at least a few days. Once it's fully cured, apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This will protect the putty, and give your sash a fresh appearance.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes prone to wearing out from the wear and tear of use, and the result can be a window or door local window repair that can't be opened or closed easily. It's good to know that replacing or repairing this hardware is often simple and inexpensive. If a sash becomes difficult to operate, try spraying some oil into the jamb channel then open it to see if it fixes the problem. If the issue persists, it is most likely the sash balance. You'll need to remove the local window repair - Read More In this article, sash to reach this hardware.

Window sashes should open and close without much effort. However, this could be a challenge if the weights have been worn out or the sash-to-rail connecting rail isn't coated. This problem can be due to many factors that include a lack of maintenance and an unmatched weight rating.

If the hinges on the window begin to move, this could cause the sash to drag and then hit the frame in the opposite corner (Photo 1). To address this problem, first ensure that the sash is squarely inserted into the opening of the frame and then take it out of the window. If the sash is secured to the hinge arm, you'll need to remove the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Next, install the new sash (Photo 3).

Windows that are old, especially in older homes, may be difficult to close and open due to sagging hinges and general inefficiency. In many instances, a few minor repairs can turn these windows into smooth operation again and save the homeowner cash on energy costs.

It is important to have the tools you need before you begin. Mark the location of the hinge channel on the frame (Photo 1) using a pencil. This will help you get the channel back in place correctly when you're finished. Then, remove the sash, and then remove the hardware, including the parting beads (Photo 2) and the chains or cords that hold it in place. The nozzle shield of the heat gun and a medium setting will soften any hardened putty. Remove the old sash, and put it in a bag with a label.

Sash Weights

Sash weights can be replaced to improve the operation of your window sash, and also reduce the energy cost. Sash weights are heavy, lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed in a concealed cavity and attached to the movable the sash with rope. These weights function as counterbalances, which allows you to open and close the window without the need for mechanical or electrical devices. The sash weights are often neglected or ignored by homeowners, and are turned into scrap when they fail; therefore, you may need to locate replacements.

A weight in a sash that has fallen out of the cavity is difficult to recover It is therefore important to locate a new one that fits properly. You will also require a new piece string, a length of sashcord and a few sashpulleys for tying the new weights to the cord.

Older windows made of wood are joined by mortise and tenon joints. Hammers and pins can be used to cut off the wood pegs holding the components together. The majority of them have an enormous diameter on one side and a smaller diameter on the other side, so it is essential to remove the smaller-diameter sides first. Sashes made later in the century used glue instead of pegs. They can be separated by cutting through the glue line using a knife, then tapping the mortised part loose using a mallet.

Once the sash has been released, you can remove the sash stops and access the pockets for weights. This is typically done by drilling an opening at the bottom of every jamb. This hole is then covered by a wooden access panel which can be removed to let you see the inner workings of the frame.

When the sash has been shut off and the access panel is removed, you are able to remove the weight that was previously installed and replace it. First, weigh the sash because the weights you have may not be the correct size. After the new weight is installed, thread a string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then, attach the string to your boxed frame. Leave a few inches at the top of the string for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

In most old double-hung window, a chain or cord is attached to the weights. This keeps the sashes within the jamb level. Over time, these cords could break, making it difficult to raise the window. A new sash cord can restore the ability to move the sash windows repair upwards and downwards and keep it in place when opened.

To replace sash cords the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. These are usually attached by nails or screws and require removal. It may be possible to take them out using an axe or hammer, however, it is best to lay out dust sheets before beginning any work.

After removing the access panel, you are able to begin working on the sash. Use a flat bar or chisel to pull the narrow parting beads from their grooves. These are often wedged in or nailed in, but they can be removed, so it's worth taking your time here. If the sash is still in place, break the mortise and tenon joints using the help of a hammer and pin or screwdriver, and then take out the wood pegs that are on each piece. The sash should move freely, however it might require some lubrication to feel less stiff.

With the sash open, measure enough sash cord/chain to extend from the pulley in the top of the jamb to the sash slot in the bottom. Cut the cord or chain and secure it in Step 6 above. You can do this with nail, hammer or screws. However nails are less likely than screws to cause damage.

It's best to leave the weights that came with the original counterbalance unless you have purchased a kit that will replace the counterbalance. It's not expensive to buy them from architectural salvage stores and they'll be easy to install once you have the sash opened. Depending on the size of your window, one or two sashweights may be needed to keep the sash in an open position.