Window Sash Repairs

Regularly inspect the window sashes for damage, mildew, and mold. You can reduce future repair costs by catching the issues in the early stages before they become out of control.

The sash is an interior framing that can be moved vertically up or down in windows that are open. This article will demonstrate how to perform several simple sash repair.

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes add a classic aesthetic to your home. If properly maintained, they can last for many years. However, they can be damaged or degraded over time, due to exposure and normal wear. However, sash repair experts can bring your windows back to their original condition and keep them looking great for much longer than newer replacement windows.

The first step to sash window repairs (use www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk here) is addressing weather stripping, which is found on both the sash and frame. If it's damaged or worn out, it could cause drafts and other problems. To fix it, begin by determining the brand of your window and the date of manufacture for the glass (etched in the corner of the glass or on the aluminum spacer between panes). Then, remove the sash and mark its height and width, so you can find replacement weather stripping to match.

Then, you can remove the sash from its holder and place it on flat surfaces to allow you to see all four sides. If your sash is double glazed window repairs-hung, you'll also need to take off the weights and the ropes that go with them, which should have fallen into the pocket that was intended to be in the jamb liner. After removing the sash using the utility knife, you can remove the weather stripping from the old sash by hand or using a putty blade.

After the sash has been cleared it is time to replace the parting stops. They are long pieces of wood that divide the two sashes. Pam likes to replace these with standard 1/2-inch by 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard, however you can also use scrap wood.

After removing the stoppers for parting and cutting them to the desired length, apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound with your putty knife, then let it dry for a minimum of a day. Once the putty has fully dried, you can apply a topcoat of acrylic latex. This will protect the putty, and give your sash a fresh look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes is susceptible to wear and tear due to age and use and the result could be a door or window that can't be opened or closed easily. The good thing is that fixing and replacing this hardware is usually relatively easy and affordable. If you're having difficulty opening a sash, spray some grease into the jamb channel. Then slide the sash up and open to see if it resolves the issue. If the problem persists it's likely the sash balance. You'll need remove the window sash to reach this hardware.

Window sashes should open and close with little effort. However, this can be difficult if weights are worn out or the sash-to-rail meeting rail is not properly coated. This issue can be due to a variety of factors that include a lack of maintenance and a mismatched weight rating.

If the hinge arms of a window begin to slide, this could cause the sash's to drag and eventually hit the frame in the corner directly opposite the hinge arm (Photo 1). To correct the issue, make sure that the sash is in the proper position within the frame opening, and then remove it. If the sash has been attached to the hinge arm, remove the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Then, you can install the new sash (Photo 3).

Old windows, especially those in older homes, may be difficult to open and close, because of sagging hinges and a general inefficiency. In many cases just a few easy fixes can make these windows operate smoothly and help homeowners save money on energy bills.

It is important to have the tools you need before you start. Mark the location of the hinge channel on the frame (Photo 1) with a pencil. This will make it easier to position the channel in the proper position after you've finished. Then, remove the sash, and then remove the hardware including the parting beads (Photo 2) and the chains or cords that hold it in place. Soften any hardened putty with an electric heat gun set to medium and fitted with a nozzle shield. Remove the old sash, and keep it in a labeled bag.

Sash Weights

Sash weights can be replaced to improve the performance of your window sash and reduce the cost of energy. Sash weights are hefty lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed inside a hidden compartment and connected to the movable sash by a rope. These weights function as counterbalances and allow you to open and close the window without the need for mechanical or electrical devices. When they fail, sashweights are often left unnoticed or disabled by homeowners.

It's difficult to retrieve a sash-weight that has fallen from the cavity, so you'll need to find one that fits correctly. You will also require a fresh piece of string, a length of sashcord and a few sashpulleys for tying the weights you are replacing to the cord.

Mortise and Tenon joints are used to join windows made of older wood. Pin punch and hammer can be used to remove the wood pegs holding the components together. The majority of these pegs are large on one side, but smaller on the other. It is essential to remove first the smaller diameter sides. Later sashes utilized glue instead of pins. They can be separated by using a knife or mallet.

Once the sash has been removed, you can take off the sash stops and gain access to the pockets for weights. This is usually done via tiny holes in the bottom of each jamb. This hole is then covered by an access panel made of wood that can be ripped off to let you see the inner workings of the frame.

When the sash has been shut off and the access panel has been removed, you can remove the weight you used and replace it. Be sure to weigh the sash first to ensure that the weights you've got may not be of the right size. After the new weight is installed, thread a string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then, nail the string to the boxed frame. Leave a few inches at the top of the string to allow future adjustments.

Sash Cords

The majority of double-hung windows with a history have a cord or chain attached to the weights that helps keep the sashes level in the jamb. Over time, these chains can become damaged and make it impossible to raise the windows. A new sash cord can restore the ability to move the sash up and down and keep it in place when opened.

To replace sash cords, the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. They are typically screwed or nailed in and require removal. You may be able to use a hammer and chisel to prise them off but it's best to lay down dust sheets before commencing any work.

After you have removed the access panel, you are able to begin working on the sash. Use a flat bar or chisel, to pry the tiny parting beads out of their grooves. It's important to take your time as they're often wedged or nailed in place. If the sash is still in place, pry the mortise and tenon joints free using a hammer or screwdriver and then take out each wood peg. The sash should move freely now, but it may need some lubrication to feel less stiff.

Take a measurement of the length of the sash chain or sash cord required to reach the sash slot at the bottom of the pulley located at the top of the jamb. Cut the cord or chain, and then secure it in the step 6 above. You can use a hammer and screws or nails, however nails are less likely to cause damage.

If you haven't purchased an item that replaces the counterbalance system that was in place before, it's best to keep the original balancing weights in place. They're not expensive and Window Repairs simple to install if you buy them at architectural salvage stores. Based on the dimensions and shape of your window you may require one or two sashweights to keep the sash open.