15 Things To Give The Sash Window Repair Lover In Your Life
Sash Window Repair
Sash windows can go out of balance and even break. Pam browses the internet for salvaged wavy glasses and keeps an eye open for discarded metal sashweights. She then searches for replacements in the form of washers or nuts to ensure that her window is balanced.
Pam will lay each pan by putting a rope of glazing material into the rabbet groove or pocket around the opening. This reduces drafts and costly heat loss.
Sashes that stick Sashes
It's a nightmare when your double-hung windows are stuck. They'll rattle in the event of storms and you'll lose your view. On the other the other hand, windows that are too loose will let external noise and air in, and your energy bills may increase. This is neither ideal, but both could be solved with the proper tools and determination.
Paint can accumulate on the channels of the old weighted sash window tracks, causing them to become jammed. The majority of these issues can be solved by cleaning and oiling the tracks.
Begin by removing the caulking that was between the window stop (the internal one) and the window frame. Then scrape away any paint that has accumulated. 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.
Then, wipe the tracks with a dry cloth and apply a silicone-based lubricant for better gliding. The lubricant can be found in a majority of home improvement stores or online. You can test it by moving the sash either upwards or downwards.
If it continues to block it could be faulty. Check to see whether the cord is caught or hanging up in the sash, or has snapped off completely. If this is the case, you'll need to reconnect the window.
Another possible cause of the jam could be that a pin that holds the rail in place has slipped away. This can be tricky to repair, and you'll have to consult a professional in most cases.
If a pin isn't falling out but the wood has become swollen or warped, it's a good idea to use a wood hardener on it. This liquid dries quickly and can help restore damaged wood. You won't have to take out your sash windows in order to repair them. After using it, you can pull apart the two sashes by placing a piece wood in the lower corner of the window where they meet.
Draughts
Draughts can cause problems with sash windows that are old particularly in the winter. Most often, they are caused by decayed timbers or cracked putty, worn weights, or sash cords that are not balanced, they can allow cold air to seep into the window and make it difficult to keep your home warm. You can prevent drafts by filling in gaps with expanding foam, or using draught-excluding strips that are available in most hardware stores. These are effective however, you will need to replace them periodically as the foam expands with use.
Gapseal is a stronger solution that is more permanent. It's a spongy, rubbly seal that you can cut and then push into the gaps between the window frames of the sash. It can be used alone or with adhesive strips on the top and bottom. This option is expensive and you'll have to reapply it over the course of the life of your window. However, it is an affordable fix that is simple to remove.
Another popular DIY draught proofing solution is to use cling film that is scrunched up and pushed into all the gaps around your window. This is a great draught stopper but the downside is that it could hinder sash movement completely and may be an hazard to fire. Additionally the sash will have to be removed for you to open the window again and the cling film will need to be applied every time you close the sash.
As part of a comprehensive refurbishment it is possible to have your window draught-proofed professionally. This could include the installation of new sash strings parting beads and staff beads as well as the lubrication and rebalancing of the weights, as well as the fluidization and rebalancing of the pulley wheel. It could also involve staining or painting the frames and sashes. This will bring the sash back to its original purpose and improve its energy efficiency and correct any minor flaws in the wood. It's less disruptive than replacing windows entirely and can significantly reduce drafts and enhance the thermal efficiency of your home.
Decay
The good news is that frames for sash windows aren't damaged beyond repair even if they have been damaged or deteriorated. The frames of these windows are generally made of high-quality timber. With the proper restoration they can be rehabilitated to provide high performance for many more years. The key is to conduct regular inspections and ensuring that the wood is properly ventilated to stop moisture build up, which can cause wood decay.
The majority of the issues you'll face with sash windows are readily apparent on close visual examination, however certain issues are more difficult to identify. Wood decay is difficult to repair, since fungus eats the wood. It is possible to repair damaged sections of timber however, the best method to avoid further rot is to make sure the wood is kept dry.
The first thing to do is to strip any paint off the hardware. It may be necessary to remove the bottom rail from the frame, and the rail for meeting (this will depend on the location of the sash). You'll then have to take off the "pocket covers" that are pieces of wood on the side of the frame lower down that give access to the weights (the parting beads run down the middle of them). It is possible to use a sharp knife for removing the pockets if they're painted or nailed into place. After the pockets have been removed, you can begin to remove any wood rot and apply a good quality water-resistant wood filler. After the filler has dried, the primer must be applied to protect against further decay.
It is a good idea to check the sash's weights inside the window as well, to ensure that they are properly balanced and not swaying 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. You can replace the sashweights with new ones, or install a new balancing system to prevent the sash from moving the wrong way.
Poor Security
Over time sash windows become exposed to the elements, and are prone to deterioration due to weather and general wear. This can cause decay of timber, which requires replacement. Water marks on the window or a softened frame can indicate wood decay. A professional consultation will be needed to assess the situation and recommend any required sash window repair work.
In the same way, over time, the bottom rails can be damaged. Sills that have water marks or a window which is soft to the touch could be a sign of this. A professional will be needed to assess the situation, and recommend any necessary repair of sash windows or replacement.
It can be very concerning when triple or double glazed windows start to let noise pollution back into the house. If this happens, the structural integrity of sash windows may be at risk and it is likely to need to be replaced with an alternative option.
A common issue with repairing sashes is when the sash becomes stuck in the frame. This could be due to an sash cord that has snapped or it could be a sign of an issue with the sash's or ratchets. If the problem is with the sash ratchets, a little gentle persuasion will usually work.
Removing the sash from the frame and clearing the tracks of any dust or dirt can often aid in resolving this problem. After cleaning the tracks, remove any security fittings and carefully remove the chains or sash cords. The staff bead can be sealed using a draught-proof seal to reduce draughts. This will also improve the paint finish. The gap between the box and sash could be filled with decorators caulk in order to improve the operation of the sash and decrease the risk of draughts.