Notes

14 Misconceptions Commonly Held About Sash Window Repair
Sash Window Repair

Sash windows could be out of balance or even break. Pam searches the internet for salvaged Wavy glass, wavy glass, and keeps an eye out for discarded, metal sash weights. She then hunts for replacements in the form of nuts or washers to ensure that her window is balanced.

Pam will bed each pane by putting the glazing material in a rope into the rabbet groove or pocket around the opening. This helps to reduce drafts and costly heat loss.

Sticking Sashes

If your double-hung window becomes stuck in the middle, it's a nightmare. They'll rattle during a storm and you'll lose view. A window that's too loose can let in air and noise, which will increase your energy bills. Both of these scenarios aren't ideal, but they can be corrected with the proper tools and perseverance.

Paint can build up on the channels of old weighted sash window tracks, which can cause them to jam. Most of these problems can be solved by cleaning and oiling the tracks.

Start by removing the caulking that was between the window stop (the internal one) and the window frame. Scrape away any paint that has accumulated. Make sure you employ a sharp blade and then set up sheets of plastic and a vacuum cleaner right below to keep any paint dust and chips.

Clean the tracks with a dry cloth and apply a silicone-based lubricant for better glide. You can find this in most home improvement stores, or online. You can test it by dragging the sash upwards or downwards.

If it still jams it could be due to an issue with the sash cord. Verify whether the cord is tangled or hung in the sash or snapped. It is necessary to re-cord the window if this is the situation.

Another possible reason for an obstruction is that a pin that holds the meeting rail in place has fallen out. This isn't easy to fix, and you'll need to consult an expert in most cases.

If a pin doesn't fall out, but the wood has become swollen or warped, it's recommended to use a wood hardener on it. This liquid will dry quickly and can help restore damaged wood. You won't have remove your sash windows to repair them. After using it, you'll be able remove the two sashes by placing a block of wood on top of the bottom corner where they meet and tapping it lightly with a Hammer.

Draughts

Draughts are a significant issue for old sash windows, especially in the winter months. Often caused by rotten timbers cracks, cracked putty, deteriorated sash cords or unbalanced weights which can allow cold air to get in around the window, making it difficult to keep your home warm. There are a few 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 purchase from most hardware stores. These can be effective, although they'll have to be replaced from time to time as the foam expands and gets worn away with wear and use.

Gapseal is a stronger solution that is more permanent. It's a spongy rubbbery seal you can cut and push into the gaps between the sash window frames. It can be used on its own or with adhesive strips on the top and bottom of the frame. This option is expensive and you'll have to apply it again throughout the life of your window. However, it's a long-term fix and is easy to remove.

Another popular DIY draught proofing solution is to use cling film scrunched up and put into every gap around your window. This is a good draught-stopper, but it can also hinder the movement of the sash and even cause a fire. In addition, the sash will need to be removed for you to re-open the door and the cling film will need to be applied each time you close the sash.

As part of a comprehensive renovation it is possible to have your sash window professionally draught-proofed. This can include the installation of new sash strings parting beads and staff beads in addition to the lubrication and rebalancing the weights, fluidization and rebalancing of the pulley wheel. It may also involve staining or painting of the frames and the sashes. This will restore the sash to its original function, improve its energy efficiency and fix any minor flaws in the timber. It's less disruptive than replacing 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 damage or decay the good news is that they aren't necessarily unfixable. The frames of these windows are usually constructed from 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 wood is properly ventilated to stop moisture accumulation, which can cause wood to rot.

The majority of issues you will encounter with sash windows are readily apparent on close visual inspection, but certain issues are more difficult to identify. In particular, wood decay is a difficult problem to fix because fungus can eat away at the wood. It is possible to fix wood that is rotten, however the best way to stop further rot is to make sure the timber is dry.

The first thing to do is to strip any paint from the hardware. It is possible to remove the bottom rail from the frame and also the meeting rail (this will depend on the position of the sash). You'll then have to remove the "pocket covers" that are pieces of wood in the side of the frame that are low down that allow access to the weights (the partsing beads run along the middle of them). You may need to use a sharp knife to remove the pockets if they're painted or nailed into place. Once the pockets are removed you can begin to remove any wood rot and then apply a high-quality water-resistant wood filler. Once the filler has dried a coat of primer should be applied to protect against further decay.

It is a smart idea to examine inside the window for sashweights to ensure they are in balance. They should not be in the wrong alignment, or pulling one side harder than the other. If they are not balanced the sash is liable to fall off its track and could cause damage to the frame. You can replace the sashweights with new ones, or put in a new balancing system to prevent the sash from moving the wrong way.

Poor Security

Sash windows are prone to wear and tear due to weather conditions over time. In time, this may result in wood decay that requires to be replaced, a costly repair that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. Water marks under the window or a frame that is soft could be a sign of decaying wood. A professional consultation is required to evaluate the situation and recommend any necessary sash window repair work.

Over time the rails at the bottom can also be damaged. This can be spotted by the presence of water marks on the sill, or the window becoming soft to touch. A professional consultation will also be required to determine the situation and recommend any needed replacement or resealing of window sash components.

Triple and double glazed sash windows do an amazing job at keeping noise pollution out of the home, so it can be a major cause of worry when they begin to let it in. If this is happening, the structural integrity of the windows could be at risk and it is likely to need to be replaced with an alternative option.

A common window repair issue for sash windows is that the sash becomes stuck in the frame. It could be due to the cord snapping or an issue with the sash's the ratchets. If the latter is the case scenario, a little gentle persuasion is usually enough to get the window open and then the ratchets need to be reset.


This problem can be resolved by taking off the sash and cleaning the tracks. After cleaning the tracks, take off any security fittings and then remove the chains or sash cords. A draught seal may be applied around the staff bead in order to reduce draughts and enhance the appearance of 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 sash's operation and reduce draughts.

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