What A Weekly Window Sash Repairs Project Can Change Your Life
Window Sash Repairs
Regularly inspect the window sashes for signs of damage, mildew and mold. By catching these problems early you will save money on future repairs.
The sash is an interior frame that can move up and down vertically in windows that open. This article will demonstrate how to carry out a few simple repairs to the sash.
Weather Stripping
Wooden window sashes can add an elegant look to your home. They are also durable and can last many years if they are properly maintained. They can, however, get damaged or deteriorated over time due to exposure and normal wear. However, sash repair experts can bring your windows back to their original condition and maintain their appearance for a longer period of time than replacement windows.
Weather stripping is the most important aspect to consider when you are repairing windows with sash. It's located on both the frame and sash. It could cause drafts if worn out or loose. Start by identifying the window's brand and the date of manufacture for the glass (etched on the corner of the glass or the aluminum spacers between panes). Take the sash off and mark its size and width so that you can get new weather stripping that is compatible with the original.
Then, you can remove the sash from its holder and place it on a flat surface to allow you to reach all four sides. If the sash is double-hung, you must remove the ropes and weights that should have fallen into the pocket inside the jamb lining. Once you've removed the sash, use a utility knife to cut off the weather stripping that was formerly in place at the corners, and then remove it by hand or with a putty knife.
After the sash is cleared, you can replace parting stops. These are long pieces that separate the sashes. Pam prefers the standard 1/2-inch by 3/4-inch window trimmings from the lumberyard. However, you can also use a scrap piece of wood.
After removing the stoppers for parting and trimming them to your desired length then apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the bottom of the sash. Smooth it out using your putty knife, then let it dry for a minimum of a day. After the putty has completely cured, you can apply a topcoat of acrylic latex. This will help protect the putty and give your sash a fresh look.
Sash Hardware
The hardware that holds window sashes is prone to wearing out from the wear and tear of use, and the result can be a door or window that won't open or close easily. The good news is that fixing and replacing this hardware is typically quite simple and inexpensive. If you're having trouble opening the sash, spray some lubricant into the jamb channel. Then, you can slide the sash up and open to see if it resolves the problem. If not, the problem is most likely due to the sash balance, and you'll need to take out the sash in order to access the hardware.
Window sashes should be able to open and close with minimal effort. However, this could be difficult if weights are worn out or the sash-to-rail connecting rail isn't properly glazed. This issue could be caused by a variety of things, such as lack of maintenance or by a mismatched weight rating for the specific sash.
If window repair of a window are starting to sag, this can cause the sash's to drag and eventually strike the frame in the corner that's in the opposite direction of the hinge arm (Photo 1). To resolve this issue, first make sure the sash fits squarely in the frame's opening and then take it out of the window. If the sash has been screwed to the hinge arm, you'll have to loosen the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Install the new sash (Photo 3).
Due to hinges that are sagging, and a general lack of energy efficiency, old windows, especially those in older houses, could be difficult to open or close. In many cases it is a matter of making a few minor adjustments that can help these windows function smoothly and save homeowners money on energy costs.
In order to make these repairs to the sash, it's important to have all the necessary tools lined up before you begin. Start by marking the location of the hinge channel on the frame with a pencil (Photo 1). This will help you get the channel back on position correctly after you've completed. Take the sash off and take out all the hardware including the parting beads cords, chains, and cords that keep the sash in place. The nozzle shield of the heat gun and a medium setting will soften any hardened glue. Remove the old sash and put it in a labelled bag.
Sash Weights
Sash weights are able to be replaced to improve the operation of your window sash and reduce the cost of energy. Sash weights are heavy, lead or iron cylinders that are enclosed inside a hidden compartment and linked to the moveable window sash using rope. They function as counterbalances and allow you to open and shut the window without requiring mechanical or electrical devices. The sash weights are often ignored or discarded by homeowners and turned into scrap when they fail; therefore you might need to locate replacements.
A weight from a sash that fell out of the cavity is difficult to retrieve and you'll need to find a replacement that fits properly. You will also require a new piece of string, a length the sash cord, as well as some sash pulleys to connect the new sash weights to the sash cord.
Older wood windows are joined using mortise and tenon joints. The wood pegs that keep the parts together can be removed using pin punches and hammers. The majority of these pegs are large on one side and smaller on the other. It is essential to first remove the smaller diameter sides. Sashes that were made later in the century used glue instead of pegs. They can be separated by cutting the glue line using a knife, then tapping the mortised area loose with a mallet.
Once the sash has been released, you can remove stops on the sash and get access to the weight pockets. Usually this is accomplished by drilling an opening at the bottom of each jamb. The hole is then covered with an access panel made of wood which can be removed to let you observe the inner workings of the frame.
After you have the sash stopped and the access panel removed, you will be able to remove the weight of the old sash and replace it with new. Be sure to weigh the sash prior to you do this, since the old weights may be a different size than the one you need. After the new weight is installed then tie a string to it and thread it through the pulley of the sash. Then, attach the string to the boxed frame. Leave a few inches at the top of the string for future adjustments.
Sash Cords
In most old double-hung window, a cord or chain is connected to the weights. This supports and keeps the sashes within the jamb in a balanced manner. Over time, these chains can get damaged and make it impossible to raise the windows. A new sash cable will restore the ability to move and lower the sash, and keep it in place when it is opened.
To replace sash cords the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. They are typically attached by nails or screws and require removal. You might be able to use a hammer or chisel to remove them, but it's always better to lay down dust sheets prior to beginning any work.
Once the access panel is removed, you can start working on the sash. Utilize a flat bar, or chisel, to pry the narrow 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, remove the mortise and the tenon joints by using the help of a hammer and pin or screwdriver, then remove the wood pegs that are on each component. The sash should be able move freely now, but it may need some lubrication in order to feel less stiff.
With the sash in an open position, measure enough sash cord/chain to reach from the pulley on the top of the jamb to the sash slot in the bottom. Cut the cord or chain and secure it as in the previous step. You can use nail, hammer or screws. However, nails are less likely than screws to cause damage.
It's best to leave the original weights in place unless you've purchased a kit to replace the old counterbalance. It's not expensive to buy these from salvage shops for architectural purposes and they will be easy to install once you have the sash opened. Based on the size and shape of your window, you may need to use one or two sashweights to keep it open.
