Sash Window Repair

Sash windows can get out of balance and break. Pam searches the web for salvaged wavy glasses, and keep an eye out for discarded metal sashweights. She then searches for replacements in the form of washers or nuts to help balance her upvc window repairs near me.

Pam will lay each pan by placing a rope of glazing material into the rabbet groove or pocket around the opening. This helps cut drafts and reduce the cost of heat loss.

Sticking Sashes

It's a nightmare if your double-hung windows become stuck. They'll be difficult to see if they rattle during a storm. A window that's too loose can let in air and noise, which will increase your energy costs. Both of these scenarios aren't ideal, but they can be rectified by using the appropriate tools and persistence.

Paint can accumulate on the channels of old weighted window tracks, causing them to block. Fortunately, the majority of issues with this can be solved through cleaning and lubricating the tracks.

Start by removing the caulking between the window stop (the one inside) and the window frame. Scrape away any accumulated paint. Be sure to make use of a sharp blade and then set up plastic sheets and a vacuum cleaner right below to keep any paint dust and chips.

Then, wipe the tracks with a dry cloth and apply a silicone lubricant to ensure better gliding. This lubricant is sold in a majority of home improvement stores or online. Then, you can move the sash up or down to test it.

If it continues to jam it could be defective. Check to see whether the cord is catching or hanging in the sash, or has snapped off completely. If this is the case, you'll need to re-cord the window.

A pin that holds the rail in place might have fallen out. This isn't easy to fix, and you'll need to contact an expert in the majority of instances.

Use a wood hardener in the event that the wood is swollen and warped but there's no pin. It's a quick drying liquid that can help to restore damaged wood, so you'll be able to repair your sash window without having to take it off completely. After you've used it, you can take the two sashes apart by placing a piece of wood in the lower corner of the upvc window repairs where they meet.

Draughts

Draughts can be a concern with old sash window particularly in winter. Often caused by rotten timbers, cracked putty, worn weights, or sash cords that are not balanced which can let cold air seep in around the window, making it difficult to keep your home warm. You can reduce the risk of drafts by filling the gaps with expanding foam or using draught-excluding strips available at most hardware shops. These are efficient, but they'll need to be replaced periodically as the foam expands and wears away with use.

A alternative that is more durable is Gapseal, a rubbery spongy seal that you can cut to the desired size and then insert into the gaps between the window frames of your sash. It can be used alone or with adhesive strips at the top and bottom. This option is quite costly and will have to be applied over the course of your windows' lifetime but it does offer a long-term solution and is simple to remove in the event that you want to open the window.

Cling film can also be used to block draughts. Simply roll it up and then push it into all the gaps around your window. This is a great draught blocker, but the drawback is that it could hinder sash movement completely and may be an hazard to fire. The sash must be removed in order to reopen 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 professionally. This could include the installation of new sash string, staff beads and parting beads, the lubrication and rebalancing the weights and the lubrication and rebalancing the pulley wheel. It could also involve staining or painting of the frames and sashes. This will bring the sash back to its original function, improve its energy efficiency and correct any minor defects in the timber. It's much less disruptive than replacing the windows altogether and will significantly reduce draughts and improve the thermal efficiency of your home.

Decay

The good news is that your sash window frames are not beyond repair if they have been damaged or degraded. The wood used in the frames of these windows is generally of high-quality and, with proper restoration, they can be restored to provide a high level of performance for many years. Regular inspections are crucial, as is ensuring the wood is properly ventilated. This will prevent the build-up of moisture that could cause wood decay.

Most of the problems that you'll face with sash windows are readily apparent on close visual inspection, but certain issues are more difficult to identify. Particularly, decay of wood is a difficult problem to address because fungus can eat away at the wood. It is possible to repair damaged sections of timber however the best way to prevent future decay is to ensure that the timber is dry.

The first thing to do is to clean any paint off the hardware. It may be necessary to remove the bottom rail from the frame, and also the meeting rail (this will depend on the location of the sash). The "pocket covers" are tiny pieces of wood placed on the frame's side, which allow access to the weights must be removed. These can sometimes be nailed in place and stuck with paint, so you'll likely need to use an instrument to break them out of the way. Once the pockets have been removed, you can start chiseling out any wood rot and apply an extremely high-quality water-resistant filler. Once the filler is dry, a coat of primer should be applied to protect against further decay.

It is a smart idea to inspect inside the window for sashweights to ensure they are properly balanced. They shouldn't be in the wrong alignment or pulled one side more than the other. If they are not balanced the sash could slide off its track and cause damage to the frame. The sash's weights can be replaced with new ones or a new balancing mechanism can be installed that will stop the sashes from bouncing to the wrong side of the window frame.

Poor Security

As time passes sash windows become exposed to the elements, and are prone to deterioration from weather and general wear. This can cause decay of timber, which will require replacement. Water marks on the window or on a softened frame could be a sign of decaying wood. It is essential to speak with an expert to evaluate the situation and determine if any sash window repairs are necessary.

As time passes, the bottom rails 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 consultation may be required to evaluate the situation and recommend any needed repair or replacement of sash window components.

It can be very concerning when triple or double glazing windows begin to let noise pollution back into the house. If this happens, the structural integrity of the windows could be at risk and it is likely to need to be replaced with a different option.

A common window repair issue for sash windows is the sash becoming stuck in the frame. This can be caused by a snapped cord or problems with sash rattles. If it's the latter the gentle persuasion is usually enough to get the window to open and then the ratchets will need to be reset.

This issue can be fixed by taking the sash off and cleaning the tracks. After cleaning the tracks, remove any security fittings and then remove the chains or sash cords. A draught seal could be put on the staff bead to decrease the appearance of the paint finish. Decorators caulk can be used to fill the gap between the sash's box and the sash. This will improve the efficiency of the sash and decrease the risk of draughts.