14 Common Misconceptions About Sash Window Repair

Sash Window Repair
Sash windows can go out of balance and break. Pam searches the internet for salvaged Wavy glass, wavy glass, and keeps an eye out for scraps of sash weights made of metal. She then looks for replacements, like washers or nuts to ensure that her window is balanced.
Pam will lay each pane by putting an edging rope into the rabbet groove, or pocket around the opening. This helps to reduce drafts and costly heat loss.
Sashes that stick Sashes
It's a nightmare when your double-hung windows get stuck. You'll lose your view if they rattle during a thunderstorm. A window that is too loose could let air and noise in which can increase your energy bills. This is neither optimal, but both can be fixed with the appropriate tools and determination.
A common problem with old windows with weighted sash is that paint could build up in the channels that they slide on, making them blockage. Most of these problems can be solved by cleaning and oiling the tracks.
Take the caulking off of the space between the window stop (the one on the inside) and the frame of the window. Scrape off any paint that has been accumulating. Make use of a sharp knife and put sheets of plastic and a dust-collecting vacuum cleaner below the surface to collect any paint dust or chips.
Clean the tracks with a dry cloth, then apply an oil based on silicone to make them more gliding. You can find this at the majority of home improvement stores or online. Then, move the sash upwards or down to test it.
If it continues to stop the sash cable could be faulty. Examine the sash cord to determine if the cord is caught or hanging in the sash, or has snapped completely. You'll have to re-cord your window in the event of this.
A pin that keeps the rail in place could have lost its grip. This can be tricky to repair, and you'll have to contact a professional in most cases.
You can use a wood softener if the wood is swollen and warped, but there's not a pin. This liquid dries quickly and can repair damaged wood. It's not necessary to remove the windows on your sash to repair them. After you've used it, you can pull off the two sashes by placing a piece of wood on the bottom corner of the window where they meet.
Draughts
Draughts are a significant issue for windows with sash windows that are old particularly during winter months. They are usually caused by decaying wood, cracked putty, or worn cords for sash. This causes cold air to enter the window, making it more difficult to warm your home. There are several things you can do to help prevent draughts in your windows that are sash, like filling any gaps with expanding foam or using strips to block draughts that you can purchase from most hardware stores. These are effective, although they'll have to be replaced regularly because the foam expands and gets worn away with wear and use.
Gapseal is a longer-lasting solution. It's a spongy rubbly seal that you can cut and push into the gaps between the sash window frames. It can be applied on its own or with adhesive strips placed on the bottom and top of the frame. This is a bit costly and will have to be reapplied over the time of your windows' life, but it can provide a long-term solution and is easy to remove in the event that you want to open the window.
Another popular DIY draught proofing solution is to use cling film that is scrunched up and placed into the gaps around your window. This is a great draught stopper but the downside is that it could block sash travel completely and could pose a fire hazard. The sash has to be removed to open the window, and the clingfilm will need reapplied every time the sash is closed.
A better option is to have your sash windows professionally draught proofed as part of a complete refurbishment service. This could include the replacement of sash cords, parting beads, staff beads, lubrication for the pulley wheels, and rebalancing the weights, in addition to staining or painting the frames and sashes. This can help to restore the function of the sash, and increase its energy efficiency, in addition to dealing with any minor timber imperfections. It is less disruptive than removing the windows and will reduce drafts, enhance the thermal performance, and drastically reduce the cost.
Decay
The good news is that frames for sash windows aren't beyond repair if they have been damaged or degraded. The timber used to construct the frames of these windows is usually of high-quality and, with the right restoration, can be restored to provide an excellent level of performance for many years. Regular inspections are essential in ensuring that the wood is adequately ventilated. This will prevent moisture build-up that can cause wood decay.
The majority of the issues that you'll encounter with sash windows will be evident upon close inspection, but certain issues are more difficult to identify. Wood decay is difficult to fix, as fungus eats the wood. It is possible to repair wood that is rotten, however the best way to prevent future decay is to ensure that the wood is kept dry.
First, take off any paint from the hardware. The bottom rail and the meeting rail could require removal from the frame (depending on the position of your sash). You will then need to take off the "pocket covers" which are bits of wood in the side of the frame lower down that give access to the weights (the partsing beads run along the middle of them). These can sometimes be put in place by nails and then covered with paint, so you will likely require an instrument to break them loose. Once the pockets are gone, you can begin to remove any wood that is rotting, and apply a good quality, water-resistant wood filler. After the filler has dried, a primer coat should be applied to stop further decay.
It is an excellent idea to examine the sash's weights inside the window as well to make sure they are in balance and not swaying one side more than the other. If they're not balanced, the sash is liable to slide off its track and could cause damage to the frame. The sash weights could be replaced with new ones or a new balance mechanism can be installed to stop the sashes from swinging to the opposite side of the window frame.
Poor Security
As time passes, sash windows can become exposed to the elements, and are prone to deterioration from weather and general wear. This can lead to decay of timber, which requires replacement. Water marks on the window or a softened frame could indicate decay of the wood. It is crucial to speak with an expert to evaluate the situation, and determine if any sash [1] window repairs are necessary.
In the same way, over time, the bottom rails can be damaged. This is evident by the presence of water marks on the sill or the window becoming soft to the touch. A professional consultation will be required to determine the situation and recommend any necessary resealing or replacement of window sash components.
Double and triple-glazed sash windows do an amazing job of keeping noise pollution out of the home, so it can be a real cause for worry when they begin to let it back in. If this is happening, 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 sash repair problem is when the sash becomes stuck in the frame. This could be caused by a snapped sash cord, or it could be an indication of an issue with the sash ratchets. If the issue is with the sash's rats, a bit of gentle persuasion will usually work.
Removal of the sash from the frame and clearing the tracks of any dust or dirt can often assist in resolving this problem. After cleaning the tracks, take off any security fittings and then remove the chains or cords that hold the sash. A draught seal can then be placed around the staff bead to reduce draughts and enhance the appearance of the paint finish. The gap between the box and the sash can be filled with decorators caulk in order to improve the operation of the sash and decrease the risk of draughts.