Sash Window Repair

Sash windows can be out of balance and crack. Pam scours the web for salvaged waving glass, wavy and keep an eye out for discarded, metal sash weights. She then seeks replacements, like nuts or washers, to ensure that her window is balanced.

Pam will set each pan 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 if your double-hung windows get stuck. They'll rattle in the event of storms, and you'll lose your view. A window that is too loose can let in external noise and air, which will increase your energy costs. This is neither optimal, but both can be solved 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. 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. Scrape off any paint that has built up. Use a sharp knife and place plastic sheets and a dust-collecting vacuum cleaner below the surface to collect any paint dust or chips.

Then, clean the tracks using a dry cloth, and apply a silicone lubricant for more smooth sliding. You can purchase this in most home improvement stores, or on the internet. You can test it by dragging the sash upwards or downwards.

If it continues to block the sash cable could be defective. Check to see if the cord is caught or hung in the sash, or if it's snapped. You'll have to re-cord your window if this is the situation.

A pin that keeps the rail in place may have fallen out. This can be tricky to repair, and you'll have to consult an expert in most cases.

Use a wood hardener in the event that the wood is swollen and warped but there's no pin. This is a quick drying liquid that can help restore damaged wood, and you'll be able to fix your window sash without having to remove it completely. After you've used it you'll be able break the two sashes by placing a block of wood on top of the bottom corner where they meet and tapping it lightly with an tool.

Draughts

Draughts can be a concern with sash windows that are old, especially during the winter. Often caused by rotten timbers or cracked putty, worn weights, or sash cords that are not balanced, they can let cold air seep into the upvc window repairs and make it difficult to keep your home warm. You can stop drafts by filling in gaps with expanding foam or by utilizing draught-proofing strips that are available at most hardware shops. These are efficient, but they will need to be replaced periodically because the foam expands and gets worn away with wear and use.

A more permanent solution is Gapseal, which is a rubbery spongy seal that you can cut to size and put into the gaps between the sash window frame. It can be used alone or with adhesive strips at the top and bottom. This option is quite costly and will need to be applied over the time of your windows' lifetime but it does offer an option for the long term and is simple to remove in the event that you want to open the window.

Cling film can also be used to block drafts. Simply scrunch it up and then push it into the gaps that surround your window. This is a great way to stop draughts, leewhan.com but it can also block the sash's movement and possibly cause fire. The sash needs to be removed in order to reopen the window, and the clingfilm must be to be applied every time the sash is closed.

As part of a comprehensive overhaul it is possible to have your upvc window repairs draught-proofed professionally. This can include the installation of new sash string, staff beads and parting beads as well as the lubrication and rebalancing of the weights, as well as the lubrication and rebalancing the pulley wheel. It may also involve staining or Repairmywindowsanddoors.Co.uk painting the frames and the sashes. This could bring the sash back to its original function, improve its energy efficiency and correct any minor flaws in the wood. It's much less disruptive than replacing the windows entirely and can significantly reduce draughts and improve your home's thermal efficiency.

Decay

If your windows are sash and have suffered damage or decay the good news is that they are not necessarily beyond repair. The timber used in the frames of these windows is usually of high-quality and with proper restoration they can be revived to provide an excellent level of performance for many years. The key is to conduct regular inspections and ensuring that the wood is well ventilated to prevent the accumulation of moisture which can lead to wood decay.

The majority of problems with sash window are easily visible, but others are more difficult to detect. Wood decay is a challenge to fix, as the fungus consumes the wood. It is possible to fix wood that is rotten, however the best way to prevent future rot is to make sure the wood is kept dry.

First, clean any paint from the hardware. It could be necessary to remove the bottom rail from the frame and also the rail that joins it (this will depend on the position of the sash). The next step is to take off the "pocket covers" which are pieces of wood that are located on the sides of the frame that are low down that provide access to the weights (the parting beads run through the middle of them). These can sometimes be nailed in place and stuck with paint, so you will probably need to use a knife to cut them out of the way. Once the pockets are gone, you can begin to chisel away any wood rot and apply a good quality water-resistant wood filler. After the filler has dried, it is recommended that a coat of primer be applied to protect against further decay.

It is an excellent idea to examine the sash's weights inside the window too to ensure that they are in balance and not pulling one side more than the other. The sash can slide off the track if they aren't balanced. This could cause the frame to crack or even be damaged. The sash's weights can be replaced with new ones or a new balancing mechanism can be fitted to stop the sashes from bouncing to the opposite side of the window frame.

Poor Security

Sash windows are vulnerable to wear and damage from weather and wear over time. Over time, this can cause wood decay, which is then required to be replaced - an expensive repair that has to be addressed as quickly as possible. Wood decay can be spotted by water marks under the window or the frame becoming soft to touch. A professional consultation is required to determine the condition and recommend any required repairs to the sash window.

As time passes the rails on the bottom may also be damaged. Sills that have water marks or a window which is soft to the touch can be an indication of this. A professional is required to assess the situation, and recommend any necessary resealing of sash windows components or replacement.

Triple and double glazed Sash windows do an incredible job at keeping noise pollution from entering your home, but it can be a real cause for worry when they begin to let it back in. If this happens the structural integrity could be at stake and the sash window will have to be replaced.

One common problem with repairing sash windows is the sash becoming stuck in the frame. This can be due to an sash cord that has snapped, or it could be the result of an issue with the sash ratchets. If it's the latter scenario, a little gentle pressure can help the window to open to reopen. Alternatively, the ratchets need to be reset.

This issue can be solved by taking off the sash and cleaning the tracks. After cleaning the tracks, take off any security fittings and carefully remove the sash cords or chains. The staff bead can be sealed using a draught-proof seal that will reduce the possibility of draughts. This will also improve the finish of paint. Decorators caulk can be used to fill the gap between the box of the sash and the sash. This will enhance the operation of the sash and reduce draughts.