Sash Window Repair

Sash windows could be out of balance or even break. Pam searches the web for salvaged wavy glasses and keeps an eye open for discarded sashweights made of metal. She then searches for replacements in the form of nuts or washers to ensure that her upvc window repair is balanced.

Pam will bed each pan by placing the glazing material in a rope into the rabbet groove, or pocket around the opening. This prevents drafts and costly heat loss.

Sashes that stick Sashes

If your double-hung window becomes stuck and shatters, it's a nightmare. They'll be difficult to see in the event that they shake in a storm. On the other side, a window that's too loose will allow external air and noise in, companies and your energy bills can increase. Both scenarios are not optimal but they can be rectified by using the right tools and persistence.

Paint can get splattered on the channels of old weighted sash window tracks, causing them to become jammed. Fortunately, most issues related to this can be solved through 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 away any paint that has accumulated. Use a sharp knife and put sheets of plastic and dust-collecting vacuum cleaners below the surface to collect any paint dust or chips.

Then, clean the tracks with a dry cloth and apply a silicone lubricant to ensure better sliding. This lubricant is available at many home improvement stores or online. Then, move the sash upwards or down to test it.

If it still jams it could be a problem with the sash cord. Examine if the cord is caught or hanging in the sash, or if it's snapped. If this is the case, you'll need to replace the window's cord.

A pin that keeps the rail in place could have lost its grip. This isn't easy to repair, and you'll have to contact an expert in most cases.

You can use a wood softener if the wood is swollen and warped, but there's not a pin. This liquid will dry quickly and can help restore damaged wood. You won't have to take out your sash windows to repair them. After using it, you'll be able remove the two sashes by placing a piece of wood on the top of the corner where they meet and tapping it lightly with a tool.

Draughts

Draughts can be a major issue for windows with sash windows that are old particularly in winter months. Most often, they are caused by decayed timbers or cracked putty, worn weights for sash or sash cords that aren't balanced that allow cold air to seep into the window and make it difficult to keep your home warm. There are a few things you can do to help prevent draughts in your windows that are sash, like filling any gaps with foam that expands or strips to block draughts that you can purchase from most hardware stores. These are effective, although they will need to be replaced from time to time as the foam expands and wears away with use.

Gapseal is a stronger solution. It's a spongy rubbly seal that can be cut and push in the gaps between the window frames of the sash. It can be used on its own or with adhesive strips placed on the bottom and top of the frame. This option is expensive and you will need to reapply it throughout the life of your window. But, it's an affordable fix that is easy to remove.

Cling film can also be used to block drafts. Simply scrunch it and then insert it into the gaps surrounding your window. This is an effective draught stopper but the downside is that it can block sash travel completely and could pose a fire hazard. The sash needs to be removed to open the window and the clingfilm will need to be reapplied each time the sash is closed.

As part of a complete overhaul, you can have your window draught-proofed. This could include the installation of new sash strings parting beads and staff beads, the lubrication and rebalancing the weights, oiling and rebalancing of the pulley wheel. It could also involve staining or painting the frames and the sashes. This can aid in restoring the function of the sash and increase its energy efficiency, in addition to addressing any minor timber defects. It's less disruptive than removing the windows, and can reduce draughts, increase the thermal efficiency and dramatically reduce costs.

Decay

If your windows with sash have suffered damage or decay the good news is that they are not necessarily beyond repair. The timber used to construct the frames of these windows is typically of a very high quality and, with the right restoration, can be restored to provide the best performance for a long time. Regular inspections are key in ensuring that the wood is properly ventilated. This will prevent the accumulation of moisture that can lead to wood rot.

The majority of issues that arise from sash windows are readily visible, but others are more difficult to spot. Particularly, decay of wood is a difficult issue to fix because fungus eats away at the wood. It is possible to fix damaged sections of timber however the best way to stop further rot is to make sure the timber is dry.

The first step is to clean any paint off the hardware. The bottom rail and meeting rail could need to be removed from the frame (depending on the location of your sash). The "pocket covers" are tiny pieces of wood placed on the frame's side that allow access to the weights, should be removed. It is possible to use a sharp knife to take them if they are fixed or painted. Once the pockets have been removed, you can begin slicing out any wood decay and apply an extremely high-quality, water-resistant filler. After the filler has dried, it is recommended that a coat of primer be applied to protect against further decay.

It is a smart idea to inspect inside the window the weights of the sash to ensure that they are properly balanced. They should not be displaced or pulled one side more than the other. The sash may slide off the track if they aren't balanced. This could cause the frame to break or be damaged. You can replace the sashweights with new ones, or put in a new balancing system to prevent the sash from moving the wrong way.

Poor Security

Over time sash windows are exposed to the elements, and are prone to deterioration from weather and general wear. This can cause decay of the timber, which will require replacement. Water marks on the upvc window repair or on a softened frame could indicate decay of the wood. A professional consultation is required to evaluate the situation and recommend any needed repairs to the sash window.

As time passes the rails at the bottom can also be damaged. Water marks on the sill or a window which is soft to the touch could be a sign of this. A professional is required to assess the situation, and recommend any replacement of the sash window's seal or replacement.

Triple and double glazed sash windows do an amazing job of keeping noise pollution from entering your home, so it can be a major cause of concern when they start to let it in. If this happens the structural integrity could be in danger and the sash window may require replacement.

A common sash repair problem is when the sash becomes stuck in the frame. It could be due to an sash cord that has snapped or it could be a sign of an issue with the sash's ratchets. If it's the latter the gentle persuasion is usually enough to get the window open to reopen. Alternatively, the ratchets need to be reset.

Removing the sash from the frame and cleaning the tracks of dirt or dust will often help resolve this problem. After cleaning the tracks, remove any security fittings, and then remove the sash cords or chains. The staff bead may be sealed with an draught-proof seal in order to minimize draughts. This can also improve the finish of paint. Decorators caulk can be used to fill the gap between the sash's sash box and the sash. This will enhance the operation of the sash and decrease the possibility of draughts.