Five Killer Quora Answers To Sash Window Repair

Sash Window Repair

Sash windows can get out of balance and even break. Pam browses the internet for wavy glasses that are salvaged and keep an eye out for discarded sashweights made of metal. She then searches for replacements in the form of washers or nuts to balance her window.

Pam will bed each pane by placing a rope of glazing material into the rabbet groove or pocket around the opening. This reduces drafts and expensive heat loss.

Sticking Sashes

If your double-hung window becomes stuck in the middle, it's a nightmare. They'll be difficult to see if they rattle during a storm. A window that's too loose could let in air and noise which can increase your energy costs. Both scenarios are not optimal, but they can be rectified by using the proper tools and persistence.

Paint can build up on the channels of old weighted sash window tracks, which can cause them to block. Luckily, most issues with 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 off any paint that's built up. Make sure you make use of a sharp blade and set up sheets of plastic and a vacuum cleaner directly below to catch any paint dust and chips.

Clean the tracks with a dry cloth and apply a silicone lubricant for better sliding. The lubricant can be found at many home improvement stores or on the internet. Then, you can move the sash up or down to test it.

If it still jams it could be due to a problem with the sash cord. Check to see whether the cord is stuck or hung in the sash, or if it's snapped. If this is the case, you'll have to replace the window's cord.

Another possible cause of the jam could be that a pin that holds the meeting rail in place has slipped away. It isn't easy to fix and you'll have to call a professional most often.

Make use of a wood hardener if the wood is swollen and warped but there's no pin. This is a quick drying liquid that can help to restore damaged wood, so you'll be able to fix your window sash without having to take it off completely. After using it, you can pry off the two sashes by placing a piece of wood on the bottom corner of the window where they meet.

Draughts

Draughts can be a concern with old sash window particularly in winter. They are usually caused by rotten wood, cracked putty or worn sash cords. This allows cold air to seep around the window, making it difficult to heat your home. There are some options you can take 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 buy at most hardware stores. These are effective, but they'll need to be replaced periodically because the foam expands and wears away with wear and use.

A more permanent solution is Gapseal which is a spongy rubbbery seal that you can cut to size and put into the gaps between the window frames of your sash. It can be applied on its own or with adhesive strips on the bottom and top of the frame. This option is fairly expensive and will need to be applied over the duration of your window's lifespan, but it is an option for the long term and is simple to remove if you want to open the window.

Another popular DIY method of draughtproofing is to use cling wrap that is rolled up and pushed into all the gaps around your window. This is a good draught-stopper however it could also block the sash's movement and even cause a fire. The sash has to be removed in order to reopen the window, and the clingfilm must be reapplied every time the sash is closed.

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

Decay

The good news is that sash window frames are not beyond repair if they have been damaged or deteriorated. The frames of these windows are generally made of high-quality timber. With the proper restoration they can be rehabilitated to give you the best performance for a long time. Regular inspections are key and so is making sure the wood is adequately ventilated. This will stop moisture build-up that can cause wood rot.

The majority of issues you'll encounter with sash windows will be evident upon close examination, however some are more difficult to detect. Particularly, wood decay is a very difficult problem to treat because fungus consumes the wood. It is possible to fix damaged sections of timber however the best way to avoid further decay is to ensure that the timber is dry.

First, remove any paint from the hardware. It may be necessary to remove the bottom rail from the frame, and also the rail that joins it (this will depend on the location of the sash). The next step is to remove the "pocket covers" which are pieces of wood that are located on the sides of the frame that are low down that provide access to the weights (the parting beads run down the middle of them). You may need to use a sharp knife to take the pockets if they're attached by nails or paint. Once the pockets are gone, you can begin to chisel out any wood rot and then apply a high-quality water-resistant wood filler. Once the filler has dried it is recommended that a coat of primer be applied to prevent further decay.

It is a good idea to check the sash weights within the window, too to ensure that they are in balance 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. You can replace the sashweights using new ones or window repair install an entirely new balance system to prevent the sash from swinging in the wrong direction.

Poor Security

Sash windows are prone to damage and wear from the weather over time. In time, this may result in wood decay that is then required to be replaced, a costly repair that needs to be addressed as quickly as is possible. Wood decay can be spotted by water marks beneath the window, or by the frame becoming soft to touch. A professional consultation will be required to evaluate the situation and recommend any needed sash window repair work.

Additionally, with time, the bottom rails can be damaged. This is evident by the presence of water marks on the sill, or the window becoming soft to the touch. A professional consultation may be required to determine the situation and recommend any needed resealing or replacement of the sash window's components.

It can be a real concern when triple or double glazing windows begin to let noise pollution back into your home. If this happens, the structural integrity of sash windows may be at risk and it will likely need to be replaced by a different option.

A typical sash window repair problem is when the sash gets stuck in the frame. It could be due to a snapped cord or an issue with the sash's ratchets. If the latter is the case the gentle persuasion is usually enough to get the upvc window repairs to open and then the ratchets need to be reset.

This issue can be fixed by taking the sash off and cleaning the tracks. After the tracks have been cleaned remove any security fittings that may be present. Lastly, carefully removing the sash cords and chains will allow the sash to be removed. The staff bead can 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 the gap between the box of the sash and the sash. This will improve the efficiency of the sash and reduce the risk of draughts.