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10 Unquestionable Reasons People Hate Sash Window Repair
Sash Window Repair

Sash windows can be out of balance, or even break. Pam browses the internet for salvaged wavy glasses, and keeps an eye open for discarded sashweights made of metal. She then searches for replacements in the form of nuts or washers 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 prevents drafts and costly heat loss.

Sticking Sashes

It's a nightmare if your double-hung windows become stuck. You'll lose sight when they squeak during a thunderstorm. On the other side, a window that's too loose will let external noise and air in and your energy costs can increase. Both of these scenarios aren't ideal, but they can be rectified by using the appropriate tools and persistence.

A common issue with old windows that are weighted is that paint may accumulate in the channels they slide on, making them jam. Fortunately, the majority of issues with this can be resolved by cleaning and lubricating the tracks.

Remove the old caulking from the space between the window stop (the one on the inside) and the frame of the window. Then scrape away any paint that's built up. Make use of a sharp knife and put sheets of plastic as well as dust-collecting vacuum cleaners below the surface to catch any paint dust or chips.

You can then clean the tracks with a dry cloth, and then apply an oil based on silicone to help them slide better. You can find this at most home improvement stores, or online. Then move the sash up or down to test it.

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

A pin that keeps the rail in place might have been ripped out. It can be difficult to fix and you will require the help of a professional the majority of the time.

If a pin isn't falling out, but the wood has become swollen or warped it's a good idea to use a wood softener on it. The liquid is quick drying and can restore damaged wood. It's not necessary to remove your sash windows to repair them. After using it, you should be able to remove the two sashes by placing a piece of wood on the bottom corner where they meet and tapping it lightly with the hammer.

Draughts

Draughts can be a problem with old sash window, especially during the winter. Most often, they are caused by decayed timbers or cracked putty, worn weights for sash or sash cords that aren't balanced that allow cold air to get into the window and make it difficult to keep your home warm. There are a few ways to help prevent draughts in your sash windows, such as filling any gaps with expanding foam or strips to block draughts that you can purchase at many hardware stores. They can be very effective, but they'll need to be replaced periodically because the foam expands and gets worn away with wear and use.

A more permanent solution is Gapseal, a spongy rubbbery seal that you can cut to the size you require and then insert into the gaps between your sash window frame. It can be used by itself or in conjunction with adhesive strips at the top and bottom. This option is expensive and you will need to reapply it throughout the life of your window. However, it is an affordable fix that is simple to remove.

Cling film can also be used to block draughts. Simply scrunch it up and push it into the gaps around your window. This is a great draught stopper, but the drawback is that it can stop sash movement completely and could pose a fire hazard. Furthermore, the sash will need to be removed to re-open the door and the cling film needs to be applied every time you close the sash.

A more cost-effective solution is to have your window sash professionally draughtproofed as part of a general refurbishment service. This can include new sash cords and staff beads, parting beads, lubrication of pulley wheels and rebalancing of the weights, as well as staining or painting the frames and sashes. This could bring the sash back to its original purpose, improve its energy efficiency, and repair any minor imperfections in the wood. It's much less disruptive than replacing the windows entirely and can significantly reduce draughts as well as improve your home's thermal performance.

Decay

The good news is that your sash window frames are not in need of repair if they've been damaged or degraded. The timber used to construct the frames of these windows is generally of high-quality and, with proper restoration, they can be revived to provide a high level of performance for a long time. Regular inspections are crucial and so is making sure the wood is properly ventilated. This will help prevent the build-up of moisture that could cause wood rot.

The majority of the issues that you'll encounter with sash windows will be evident upon close inspection, but some are harder to spot. Wood decay is particularly difficult to treat, since fungus can eat the wood. While it is possible repair damaged timber however the best method to avoid future decay is to keep the wood dry.

The first step is to clean any paint from the hardware. It may be necessary to remove the bottom rail from the frame, and also the meeting rail (this will depend on the position of the sash). You will then need to remove the "pocket covers" that are pieces of wood that are located on the sides of the frame low down that give access to the weights (the parting beads run down the middle of them). You may require a sharp knife to take them if they're fixed or painted. Once the pockets are removed you can begin to chisel out any wood rot and apply a good quality water-resistant wood filler. After the filler has dried, the primer must be applied to guard against further decay.

It is recommended to inspect the sash's weights inside the window as well to ensure that they are properly balanced and not misaligned or pulling one side more than the other. The sash could be thrown off its track if it is not balanced. This could cause the frame to break or be damaged. The sash weights could be replaced with new ones or a new mechanism for balancing can be fitted to stop the sashes from swinging to the opposite side of the window frame.


Poor Security

Over time sash windows become exposed to the elements, and are prone to deterioration from weather and general wear. This can lead to decay of timber, which requires replacement. Wood decay can be spotted by water marks beneath the window or the frame turning soft to touch. It is crucial to speak with an expert to assess the situation, and determine if any sash window repairs are necessary.

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. A professional will be required to evaluate the situation and recommend any necessary repair of sash windows or replacement.

Double and triple glazed sash windows do an amazing job at keeping noise out of the home, so it can be a real cause for worry when they begin to let it back in. If this is happening, the structural integrity of the windows' sash could be in danger and is likely to need to be replaced with an alternative option.

A common issue with repairing sashes is when the sash gets stuck in the frame. This could be caused by an sash cord that has snapped or it could be a sign of an issue with the sash's ratchets. If it's the latter, then a bit of gentle pressure can help the window open again - or alternatively, the ratchets will need to be reset.

This issue can be fixed by taking off the sash and cleaning the tracks. After the tracks have been cleaned, removing any security fittings that may be present. Lastly, carefully taking off the sash cords and chains will allow the sash to be removed. The staff bead may be sealed with an draught-proof seal in order to minimize the possibility of draughts. This will also improve the finish of paint. Decorators caulk can be used to fill in the gap between the sash's box and the sash. This will improve the sash's operation and also reduce the risk of draughts.

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