Sash Window Repair

Sash windows can get out of balance and even break. Pam searches the internet for salvaged waving glass, wavy and is always looking for discarded, metal sash weights. She then searches for replacements, such as nuts or washers to ensure that her window is balanced.

Pam will lay each pane by putting a rope of glazing material into the rabbet groove or pocket around the opening. This reduces drafts and expensive heat loss.

Sticking Sashes

It's a nightmare when double glazing near me-hung windows get stuck. You'll lose your view if they rattle in a storm. On the other side, a window that's too loose can let outside air and noise in and your energy costs can increase. Both scenarios are not ideal, but they can be corrected by using the appropriate tools and perseverance.

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

Start by removing the old caulking that was between the window stop (the interior one) and the window frame. Scrape off any paint that has been accumulating. Make sure you make use of a sharp blade and set up sheets of plastic and a vacuum cleaner right below to contain any paint dust and chips.

Clean the tracks with a dry cloth, then apply an oil based on silicone to make them more gliding. You can find this at most home improvement stores, or on the internet. You can test it by dragging the sash upwards or downwards.

If it continues to jam it could be defective. Check to see whether the cord is tangled or hanging in the sash or if it's snapped. You'll need to re-cord your window in the event of this.

A pin that holds the rail in place might have lost its grip. It can be difficult to fix, and you'll need to contact an expert in the majority of cases.

Make use of a wood hardener if the wood is swollen and warped, but there's not a pin. This liquid dries quickly and can help restore damaged wood. You won't have remove your sash windows to repair them. After you've used it, you can pull off the two sashes by placing a piece wood in the bottom corner of the window where they meet.

Draughts

Draughts are a significant issue for old sash windows particularly during winter months. Often caused by rotten timbers cracks, cracked putty, deteriorated weights, or sash cords that are not balanced which can let cold air seep in around the window and make it difficult to keep your home warm. There are several things you can do to help prevent draughts in your windows that are sash, like filling any gaps with expanding foam or using strips to prevent draughts. These can buy at most hardware stores. These are effective, although they will need to be replaced periodically because the foam expands and gets worn away with time.

Gapseal is a stronger solution that is more permanent. It's a spongy, rubbly seal that you can cut and push in the gaps between the window frames of the sash. It can be used on its own or with adhesive strips on the bottom and top of the frame. This option is quite costly and must be reapplied over the time of your windows' life, but it can provide a long-term solution and is easy to remove if you want to open the window.

Another popular DIY solution to stop drafts is to use cling film scrunched up and put into every gap around your window. This is an effective draught stopper, but the drawback is that it can block sash travel completely and could pose an hazard to fire. Additionally, the sash will need to be removed to open the window again and the cling film needs to be reapplied each time you close the sash.

A more cost-effective solution is to have your windows draught-proofed as part of a complete refurbishment service. This could include the replacement of sash cords and staff beads, parting beads, lubrication of pulley wheels and rebalancing the weights, in addition to staining or painting the frames and sashes. This will bring the sash back to its original function and improve its energy efficiency and correct any minor imperfections in the wood. It's much less disruptive than replacing the windows completely and will dramatically reduce drafts and enhance the thermal efficiency of your home.

Decay

If your sash windows have suffered from damage or decay the good news is that they aren't necessarily damaged beyond repair. The frames of these windows are typically made of high-quality timber. If you can restore them properly they can be repaired to ensure high performance for many more years. Regular inspections are essential, as is ensuring the wood is properly ventilated. This will stop the accumulation of moisture that can cause wood rot.

The majority of issues with sash window are easily evident, but some are more difficult to spot. In particular, wood decay is a difficult problem to treat because fungus can eat away at the wood. It is possible to fix rotten sections of timber, however, the best method to prevent future decay is to ensure the timber is dry.

First, clean any paint from the hardware. It could be necessary to remove the bottom rail from the frame, and also the meeting rail (this will depend on the location of the sash). The "pocket covers", which are small pieces of wood that are placed on the frame's sides that allow access to the weights will need to be removed. These are often put in place by nails and then covered with paint, so you'll probably need to use an instrument to break them loose. After the pockets have been removed, you can begin to remove any wood that is rotting, and apply a good quality, water-resistant wood filler. Once the filler is dry, a coat of primer should be applied to protect against further decay.

It is a good idea to inspect inside the window for sashweights to ensure they are balanced. They should not be in the wrong alignment, or pulling one side more strongly than the other. If they're not balanced, the sash can drop off its track and cause damage to the frame. You can replace the sashweights by new ones, or put in a new balancing system to prevent the sash from swinging in the wrong way.

Poor Security

Sash windows are vulnerable to wear and damage due to weather conditions over time. In time, this may lead to timber decay which is then required to be replaced - an expensive door repair that has to be dealt with as soon as possible. Water marks on the window or a softened frame can indicate wood decay. It is essential to speak with a professional to assess the situation and determine if sash window repairs are necessary.

Over time the rails at the bottom can also be damaged. Water marks on the sill or a window that is soft to the touch can be a sign of this. A professional consultation will be required to assess the situation and recommend any necessary replacement or resealing of the sash window's components.

Double and triple glazed Sash windows do an incredible job of keeping noise pollution out of the home, but it can be a major cause of concern when they start to let it back in. If this is happening, the structural integrity of windows' sash could be at risk, and they will likely need to be replaced with a different option.

A common sash window repair problem is the sash becoming stuck in the frame. This can be due to a snapped sash cord, or it could be a sign of a problem with the sash or window repairs ratchets. If the problem is related to the sash rats, a bit of gentle persuasion is often the best solution.

The sash should be removed from the frame and clearing the tracks of dirt or dust can aid in resolving this problem. After cleaning the tracks, take off any security fittings and carefully remove the chains or cords that hold the sash. A draught seal could be put on the staff bead to reduce draughts and improve 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 efficiency of the sash and also reduce the risk of draughts.