Sash Window Repair

Sash windows may become out of balance or break. Pam searches the web for wavy glasses that are salvaged and keeps an eye out for discarded sashweights made of metal. She then searches for replacements in the form of washers or nuts to ensure that her window is balanced.

Pam beds each pane with a rope of glazing compound that she puts into the rabbet groove, or pocket, that is around the opening. This prevents drafts and costly heat loss.

Sticking Sashes

It's a nightmare when double-hung windows become stuck. You'll lose your view when they squeak during a thunderstorm. A window that's too loose could let in air and noise, which will increase your energy costs. This is neither ideal, but both can be addressed with the right tools and a little determination.

Paint can accumulate on the channels of the old weighted sash window tracks, which can cause them to jam. The majority of these issues can be resolved by cleaning and oiling the tracks.

Remove the old caulking from the space between the window stop (the one on the inside) and the frame of the window. Scrape off any paint that has been accumulating. Be sure to make use of a sharp blade and then put up plastic sheets and a vacuum cleaner right below to keep any paint dust and chips.

Clean the tracks using a dry cloth, and apply a silicone lubricant for more smooth sliding. The lubricant can be found in a majority of home improvement stores or on the internet. You can test it by moving the sash upwards or downwards.

If it continues to block it could be faulty. Examine the sash cord to determine if the cord is caught or hanging from the sash, or if it has snapped completely. If this is the case, you'll need to reconnect the window.

Another possible cause of an obstruction is that a pin that holds the meeting rail in place has fallen out. It isn't easy to fix and you'll have to call a professional most of the time.

You can use a wood softener when the wood is swelling and swollen, but there's no pin. This is a quick drying liquid that can aid in restoring damaged wood, which means you'll be able repair your window sash without needing to remove it completely. After you've used it, you can pry apart the two sashes by placing a piece wood on the lower corner of the window where they meet.

Draughts

Draughts can cause problems with sash windows that are old particularly in winter. Often caused by rotten timbers or cracked putty, worn weights for sash or sash cords that aren't balanced which can allow cold air to seep in around the window and make it difficult to keep your home warm. You can stop drafts by filling in gaps with expanding foam or using draught-excluding strips that are available in most hardware stores. These are effective, but they will need to replace them periodically as the foam expands with usage.

Gapseal is a more permanent solution that is more permanent. It's a spongy rubbly seal that can be cut and push in the gaps between the window frames of the sash. It can be used on its own or with adhesive strips placed on the top and bottom of the frame. This is costly and you'll have 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 block draughts. Simply scrunch it and push it into the gaps surrounding your window. This is an effective draught stopper, but the drawback is that it can stop sash movement completely and pose a fire hazard. Furthermore, the sash will need to be removed to re-open the door and the cling film needs to be reapplied each time you close the sash.

As part of a general refurbishment, you can have your window draught-proofed professionally. This could include the installation of new sash string, staff beads and parting beads as well as the lubrication and rebalancing of the weights, fluidization and rebalancing of the pulley wheel. It may also include staining or painting of the frames and the sashes. This will bring the sash back to its original function and increase its energy efficiency, and repair any minor defects in the timber. It's less disruptive than removing the windows and can help reduce draughts, improve the thermal performance, and drastically reduce the cost.

Decay

The good news is that windows' sash frames aren't beyond repair if they have been damaged or deteriorated. The frames of these windows are usually constructed of high-quality wood. With the right restoration, they can be restored to provide high performance for many years to come. Regular inspections are key and so is making sure the wood is adequately ventilated. This will help prevent the build-up of moisture that could lead to wood decay.

Most of the problems you'll face with sash windows are evident upon close inspection, but some are more difficult to detect. Particularly, wood decay is a very difficult problem to fix because fungus consumes the wood. It is possible to fix damaged sections of timber however, the best method to avoid further decay is to ensure the timber is dry.

First, take off any paint from the hardware. The bottom rail and the meeting rail could need to be removed from the frame (depending on the position of your sash). The "pocket covers" are tiny pieces of wood placed on the frame's sides that permit access to the weights, should be removed. These are often fixed by nailing them in place and then securing them with paint, so you will probably need to use a knife to get them out of the way. After the pockets have been removed, you can begin chiseling out any wood rot and apply an extremely high-quality, water-resistant filler. After the wood filler has dried, a primer coat should be applied to stop further decay.

It is a good idea to check the sash's weights inside the window, too to make sure they are balanced and not pulling one side more than the other. If they aren't balanced, the sash could drop off its track and could cause damage to the frame. You can replace the sashweights with new ones, or put in an updated balancing system to stop the sash from swinging in the wrong way.

Poor Security

As time passes sash windows become exposed to the elements, and are prone to deterioration from weather and general wear. Over time, this can result in wood decay that requires to be replaced - costly repair that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Water marks on the window or a softened frame could indicate decay of the wood. It is essential to speak with an expert to evaluate the situation and determine if any sash window repairs are necessary.

In the same way, over time, the rails at the bottom may become damaged. The sill may show water marks or a window that is soft to the touch could be an indication of this. A professional consultation will be required to determine the situation and recommend any resealing or replacement of sash window components.

It can be a real concern when triple or double glazing near me glazed windows start to let noise pollution back into your home. If this happens, the structural integrity may be at stake and window repairs the sash windows will have to be replaced.

A common sash 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 the result of a problem with the sash ratchets. If it's the latter the gentle persuasion can usually help the upvc window repairs near me to open to reopen. Alternatively, the ratchets need to be reset.

Removing the sash from the frame and removing the tracks of any dirt or dust will often help resolve this problem. Once the tracks are clean, removing any security fittings that may be present, and then removing the sash cords and chains will allow the sash to be removed. A draught seal could be placed around the staff bead to reduce draughts and enhance the appearance of the paint finish. The gap between the box and the sash can then be filled with decorators caulk to improve the operation of the sash and decrease the risk of draughts.