One Sash Window Repair Success Story You'll Never Be Able To

Sash Window Repair

Sash windows may become out of balance, or even break. Pam scours the web for salvaged Wavy glass, wavy glass, and keep an eye out for the sash weights that are discarded, made of metal. She then searches for replacements, like nuts or washers to ensure that her window is balanced.

Pam beds each pane with a rope of glazing compound that she uses to create the rabbet groove or pocket, around the opening. This helps to reduce drafts and costly heat loss.

Sticking Sashes

When your double-hung window gets stuck, it's a nightmare. You'll lose your view in the event that they shake during a thunderstorm. On the other the other hand, windows that are too loose will allow external noise and air in and your energy costs can increase. Both scenarios are not ideal, but both can be addressed with the right tools and a little perseverance.

Paint can accumulate on the channels of the old weighted sash window tracks, causing them to become jammed. Fortunately, double glazing Orpington the majority of issues with this can be solved by cleaning and lubricating the tracks.

Start by removing the caulking that was between the window stop (the interior one) and the window frame. Scrape away any paint that's built up. Use a sharp knife and place sheets of plastic and an air-collecting vacuum cleaner beneath the surface to collect any paint dust or chips.

Clean the tracks with a dry cloth, then apply a silicone-based lubricant to make them more gliding. It is available in most home improvement stores, or online. You can test it by moving the sash upwards or downwards.

If it is still jamming, there could be a problem with the sash cord. Examine if the cord is caught or hanging in the sash, or if it's snapped. You'll have to re-cord your window in the event of this.

Another reason for an obstruction is the pin that holds the meeting rail in place has slipped out. It can be difficult to repair, and you'll have to consult a professional in most instances.

If a pin hasn't fallen out but the wood has gotten warped or swollen, it's a good idea use a wood hardener on it. This liquid dries quickly and can restore damaged wood. It's not necessary to remove the windows on your sash to repair them. 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 cause problems with old sash window, especially during the winter. They are often caused by decayed wood, cracked putty or worn cords for sash. This causes cold air to seep around the window, making it difficult to heat your home. There are some things you can do to help prevent draughts in your sash windows, such as filling any gaps with expanding foam or using strips to block draughts that you can buy at most hardware stores. They're effective however, you will need to replace them periodically as the foam expands with use.

A more permanent option is Gapseal, which is a rubbery spongy seal that you can cut to the desired size and then push into the gaps between your sash window frame. It can be used on its own or with adhesive strips on the top and bottom of the frame. This is costly and you'll need to reapply it throughout the life of your window. But, it's an effective long-term fix and simple to remove.

Cling film can also be used to stop draughts. Simply scrunch it up and then push it into the gaps around your window. This is a good draught-stopper however it could also hinder the movement of the sash and possibly cause fire. Furthermore, the sash will need to be removed to open the window again and the cling film has to be applied every time you close the sash.

An alternative that is less expensive is to have your sash windows professionally draught proofed as part of a general refurbishment service. This can include the installation of new sash string, staff beads and parting beads in addition to the lubrication and rebalancing the weights, as well as the lubrication and rebalancing the pulley wheel. It may also involve staining or painting the frames and the sashes. This can aid in restoring the function of the sash and increase its energy efficiency, while also fixing any minor wood imperfections. It is less disruptive than taking out the windows and can help reduce draughts, improve the thermal performance, and drastically reduce costs.

Decay

If your sash windows have suffered from decay or damage, the good news is they aren't necessarily damaged beyond repair. The timber used to construct the frames of these windows is usually of very high-quality and, with the right restoration, can be revived to provide a high level of performance for a long time. The key is regularly checking the frames and ensuring that the wood is well ventilated to prevent moisture build up, which can cause wood rot.

Most of the problems you'll encounter with sash windows will be readily apparent on close visual examination, however some are more difficult to detect. Particularly, decay of wood is a very difficult problem to fix because fungus consumes the wood. It is possible to fix rotten sections of timber, however the best way to avoid further decay is to ensure that the timber is kept dry.

The first thing to do is to clean any paint off the hardware. It is possible to remove the bottom rail from the frame and the rail for meeting (this will depend on the location of the sash). The next step is to take off the "pocket covers" that are pieces of wood on the side of the frame low down that provide access to the weights (the parting beads run through the middle of them). They can be nailed in place and stuck with paint, so you will likely require a knife to cut them out of the way. Once the pockets are removed, you can begin cutting out any wood rot and apply an extremely high-quality, water-resistant filler. Once the filler is dry, it is recommended that a coat of primer be applied to protect against further decay.

It is a smart idea to examine inside the window for sashweights to make sure they are in balance. They shouldn't be misaligned, or pulling one side harder than the other. If they're not balanced, the sash could fall off its track and could cause damage to the frame. You can replace the sashweights by new ones, or install an entirely new balance system to stop the sash from moving the wrong way.

Poor Security

Over time sash windows become exposed to the elements and prone to deterioration from weather and general wear. This can cause decay of the timber, which requires replacement. The signs of decaying wood can be seen by water marks under the window or the frame becoming soft to the touch. A professional consultation is required to evaluate the situation and recommend any needed repairs to the sash window.

Similarly, over time the rails at the bottom may become damaged. This can be seen by the presence of water marks on the sill, or the window becoming soft to touch. A professional will be required to evaluate the situation and recommend any needed replacement of the sash window's seal or replacement.

It can be a real concern when double glazing repair St Neots and triple windows are glazed and start to allow noise pollution back into the home. If this happens the structural integrity of the window could be at stake and the sash window will need to be replaced.

A common sash repair problem is when the sash becomes stuck in the frame. It could be due to the cord snapping or problems with sash the ratchets. If the issue is related to the sash the ratchets, some gentle persuasion is often the best solution.

This issue can be fixed by taking the sash off and cleaning the tracks. After cleaning the tracks, take off any security fittings and carefully remove the sash cords or chains. A draught seal could be placed around the staff bead to reduce draughts and improve the appearance of the paint finish. The gap between the box and sash can be filled with decorators caulk to enhance the operation of the sash and decrease draughts.