It's A Sash Window Repair Success Story You'll Never Believe

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 seeks replacements, like washers or nuts, to balance her window.

Pam will lay each pan by putting an edging rope into the rabbet groove, or pocket around the opening. This reduces drafts and costly heat loss.

Sticking Sashes

It's a nightmare if your double-hung windows are stuck. They'll sway in the event of a storm and you'll lose your view. A window that's too loose may allow air and noise in which could increase your energy costs. Both of these scenarios are not optimal but they can be corrected with the appropriate tools and perseverance.

Paint can get splattered on the channels of old weighted sash window tracks, causing them to jam. Fortunately, most issues related to this can be solved through cleaning and lubricating the tracks.

Start by removing the old caulking that was between the window stop (the internal one) and the window frame. Then scrape away any accumulated paint. Be sure to use a sharp blade, and then put up sheets of plastic and a vacuum cleaner right below to catch any paint dust and chips.

Clean the tracks using a dry cloth, and apply a silicone lubricant to ensure better sliding. The lubricant can be found at many home improvement stores or online. You can test it by moving the sash either upwards or downwards.

If it still jams it could be an issue with the sash cord. Check to see if the cord is caught or hanging from the sash or snapped. If this is the case, you'll need to replace the window's cord.

A pin that keeps the rail in place could have been ripped out. This can be tricky to fix, and you'll need to call a professional in most instances.

If a pin hasn't fallen out but the wood has become warped or swollen it's recommended to use a wood softener on it. It's a quick drying liquid that can help restore damaged wood, and you'll be able repair your window sash without having to take it off completely. After using it, you can pry off the two sashes by placing a piece wood in the lower corner of the window where they meet.

Draughts

Draughts are a significant issue for windows with sash windows that are old particularly during winter months. Often caused by rotten timbers or cracked putty, worn sash cords or unbalanced weights which can allow cold air to get in around the window and make it difficult to keep your home warm. You can stop draughts by filling gaps with expanding foam or using draught-excluding strips available at most hardware shops. They can be very effective, although they'll need to be replaced from time to time as the foam expands and gets worn away with use.

A alternative that is more durable is Gapseal, a rubbery spongy seal that you cut to the size you require and then put into the gaps between the window frames of your sash. It can be used alone or with adhesive strips on the top and bottom. This option is costly and you will need to reapply it throughout the life of your window. However, it's a long-term fix and is simple to remove.

Cling film can also be used to stop draughts. Simply scrunch it and push it into all the gaps surrounding your window doctor. This is a great draught-stopper, but it can also hinder the sash's movement and possibly cause fire. In addition, the sash will need to be removed for you to re-open the door and Upvc repairs near me the cling film needs to be applied every time you close the sash.

As part of a complete renovation it is possible to have your sash window professionally draught-proofed. This could include the replacement of sash cords, staff beads, parting beads, lubrication of pulley wheels, and rebalancing the weights, as well as painting or staining the frames and sashes. This can bring the sash back to its original function, improve its energy efficiency and correct any minor flaws in the timber. It's much less disruptive than replacing the windows altogether and will significantly reduce draughts and improve your home's thermal efficiency.

Decay

The good thing is that your frames for sash windows aren't in need of repair if they've been damaged or degraded. The timber used in the frames of these windows is typically of a very high quality and, with the right restoration, can be revived to provide a high level of performance for many years. Regular inspections are key, as is ensuring the wood is properly ventilated. This will stop the accumulation of moisture that can lead to wood rot.

The majority of problems with sash window are easily apparent, however some are more difficult to spot. Particularly, decay of wood is a difficult problem to address because fungus consumes the wood. Although it is possible to repair rotten timber however the best method to avoid future decay is to keep the timber dry.

The first thing to do is to strip any paint off the hardware. It is possible to remove the bottom rail from the frame, and also the rail that joins it (this will depend on the position of the sash). You will then need to remove the "pocket covers" which are bits of wood on the side of the frame that are low down that provide access to the weights (the parting beads run through the middle of them). It is possible to use a sharp knife to take the pockets if they're attached by nails or paint. Once the pockets have been removed, you can start chiseling out any wood rot and apply an excellent water-resistant filler. After the filler has dried, a coat of primer should be applied to prevent further decay.

It is recommended to inspect the sash weights inside the window too to ensure that they are in balance and not pulling one side more than the other. The sash could slide off the track if they are not balanced. This could cause the frame to fall or become damaged. You can replace the sashweights by new ones, or put in an updated balancing system to prevent the sash from moving the wrong direction.

Poor Security

Sash windows are vulnerable to damage and wear from weather and wear over time. This can cause decay of the timber, which will require replacement. Wood decay can be detected by water marks under the window, or the frame becoming soft to the touch. A professional consultation is needed to assess the situation and recommend any required repair work to the sash window.

In time the rails on the bottom may also be damaged. Water marks on the sill, or a window that is soft to the touch could be a sign of this. A professional is required to evaluate the situation and recommend any necessary replacement of the sash window's seal or replacement.

It can be a real concern when triple or double windows are glazed and start to allow noise pollution back into the home. If this happens the structural integrity of the window could be in danger and the sash window will need to be replaced.

One common window repair issue for sash windows is the sash becoming stuck in the frame. It could be due to the cord snapping or a problem with sash rattles. If the issue is related to the sash rats, Broken a bit of gentle persuasion is often the best solution.

This issue can be solved by taking the sash off and cleaning the tracks. After the tracks have been cleaned, removing any security fittings that may be present, and then removing the sash cords and chains will allow the sash to be removed. The staff bead may be sealed with a draught-proof seal to reduce the risk of draughts. This will also improve the paint finish. Decorators caulk can be used to fill in the gap between the box of the sash and the sash. This will improve the sash's operation and also reduce the possibility of draughts.