Sash Window Repair

Sash windows can be out of balance and break. Pam is on the lookout on the internet for salvaged wavy glasses and keeps an eye open for discarded sashweights made of metal. She then seeks replacements, such as nuts or washers to ensure that her window is balanced.

Pam puts each pane in with a rope of glazing compound that she uses to create the rabbet groove, also known as a pocket, which is located around the opening. This helps cut drafts and costly heat loss.

Sticking Sashes

When your double-hung window gets stuck, it's a nightmare. They'll be difficult to see when they squeak during a storm. On the other side, a window that's too loose will let external air and noise in, and your energy bills may increase. Both of these scenarios aren't ideal but they can be rectified by using the right tools and persistence.

Paint can build up on the channels of the old weighted sash window tracks, which can cause them to become jammed. The majority of these issues can be solved by cleaning and oiling the tracks.

Take the caulking off of the space between the window stop (the one on the inside) and the frame of the window. Scrape off any paint that has built up. Make sure you employ a sharp blade and set up plastic sheets and a vacuum cleaner directly below to contain any paint dust and chips.

Then, wipe the tracks with 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 dragging the sash upwards or downwards.

If it continues to jam it could be defective. Verify if the cord is caught or hung in the sash, or if it's snapped. If this is the situation, you'll need to re-cord the window.

A pin that keeps the rail in place might have lost its grip. It can be difficult to repair, and you'll have to contact a professional in most instances.

If a pin isn't falling out but the wood has become warped or swollen, it's a good idea apply a wood hardener to it. It's a fast drying liquid that can help restore damaged wood, so you'll be able to repair your window replacement without needing to remove it completely. After using it, you can pull off the two sashes by placing a piece of wood in the bottom corner of the window where they meet.

Draughts

Draughts can be a major issue for old sash windows, especially in the winter months. They are usually caused by decayed wood, cracked putty or worn sash cords. This allows cold air to enter the window, making it more difficult to warm your home. There are some things you can do to stop draughts from coming through your windows that are sash, like filling any gaps with foam that expands or strips to block draughts that you can purchase at many hardware stores. These are effective however, you will require replacing them regularly as the foam expands over time with usage.

Gapseal is a stronger solution. It's a spongy, rubbly seal that you can cut and push into the gaps between the window frames of the sash. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with adhesive strips on the top and bottom of the frame. This option is fairly expensive and will have to be reapplied throughout the time of your windows' lifespan, but it is an option for the long term and is easy to take off if you want to open the window.

Cling film can also be used to stop drafts. Simply roll it up and then push it into the gaps that surround your window. This is a reliable draught stopper but the downside is that it could stop sash movement completely and pose risky for fire. In addition the sash needs to be removed for you to open the window again and the cling film needs to be applied every time you close the sash.

As part of a comprehensive overhaul, you can have your window draught-proofed. This can include the installation of new sash strings, parting beads and staff beads as well as the lubrication and rebalancing of the weights and the lubrication and rebalancing the pulley wheel. It could also involve staining or painting the frames and sashes. This will help restore the function of the sash, and increase its energy efficiency, in addition to dealing with any minor timber imperfections. It's much less disruptive than replacing the windows completely and will dramatically reduce draughts as well as improve the thermal efficiency of your home.

Decay

If your windows are sash and have suffered decay or damage, the good news is that they are not necessarily beyond repair. The frames of these windows are typically made of high-quality timber. With the proper restoration, they can be restored to provide high performance for many years to come. The key is regular inspections and ensuring that the timber is properly ventilated to avoid moisture build up which can cause wood to rot.

The majority of issues you will encounter with sash windows will be evident upon close inspection, but certain issues are more difficult to identify. Particularly, wood decay is a difficult issue to treat because fungus can eat away at the wood. It is possible to upvc repair rotten sections of timber, but the best way to avoid further decay is to ensure the wood is kept dry.

First, take off any paint from the hardware. The bottom rail and the connecting rail could require removal from the frame (depending on the location of your sash). You'll then have to take off the "pocket covers" which are bits of wood that are located on the sides of the frame that are low down that allow access to the weights (the partsing beads run along the middle of them). These can sometimes be put in place by nails and then covered with paint, so you'll probably need to use a knife to get them loose. Once the pockets are removed you can begin to remove any wood rot and apply a good quality, water-resistant wood filler. After the filler has dried, it is recommended that a coat of primer be applied to protect against further decay.

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

Poor Security

Sash windows are susceptible to wear and damage due to weather conditions over time. As time passes, this could result in wood decay that is then required to be replaced - a costly repair that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. Wood decay can be detected by water marks under the window, or by the frame becoming soft to the touch. A professional consultation is required to determine the condition and recommend any required repairs to the sash window.

In the same way, over time, the rails at the bottom may become damaged. This can be spotted by the presence of water marks on the sill, or the window becoming soft. A professional will be needed to examine the situation and recommend any repair of sash windows or replacement.

It can be a real concern when triple and double glazed windows start to let noise pollution back into your home. If this happens the structural integrity of the windows' sash could be at risk, and they is likely to need to be replaced with an alternative option.

A typical sash repair issue is when the sash gets stuck in the frame. This can be caused by an untidy cord or an issue with the sash's the ratchets. If it is the latter the gentle persuasion is usually enough to get the window open again - or alternatively, the ratchets need to be reset.

The sash should be removed from the frame and clearing the tracks of any dirt or dust will often aid in resolving this problem. After the tracks have been cleaned remove any security fittings that could be present and then carefully removing the sash cords and chains will allow the sash to be removed. The staff bead can be sealed using a draught-proof seal that will reduce the risk of draughts. This can also improve the finish of the paint. 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 decrease draughts.