Window Sash Repairs
Sashes for windows must be regularly checked for mold, mildew, and damage. If you catch these issues early you will save money on future repairs.
The sash is an inside frame that is able to move upwards and downwards in windows that are open. This article will teach you how to make several simple repairs to sash.
Weather Stripping
Wood window sashes provide the classic look to your home. If properly maintained, they can last for a long time. However, they can become damaged or degrade in time due to exposure to the elements and wear and wear and tear. However, sash repair experts can restore your windows back to their original condition and keep them looking fantastic for much longer than newer replacement windows.
Weather stripping is the most important issue to take care of when fixing windows that have sash. It is located on both the frame and the sash. If it's loose or worn out, it could cause drafts, as well as other issues. To fix it, begin by finding your window brand and the date on which the glass was manufactured (etched in the corner of the glass or on the aluminum spacer between panes). Take the sash off and mark its width and height so that you can find a new weather stripping that is compatible with the original.
Next, remove the sash and set it on a table to allow access to all four sides. If your sash is double-hung, you'll also need to take off the weights and their ropes, which should have fallen into the pocket that was intended to be in the jamb liner. After you've removed the sash and the weights, use a utility knife to remove the old weather stripping at the corners, and then remove it by hand or using a putty knife.
After the sash is cleared, you can install the parting stops. These are long pieces that divide the sashes. Pam likes to replace them with standard 1/2-inch-by - 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard, however you can also use a piece of scrap wood.
After removing the stopper for the parting and cutting it to length, apply a thin coat of glazing compound to the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound with your putty knife, then let it dry for at least a day. After it has fully dried, apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This coating will protect the putty and give your sash a new look.
Sash Hardware
The hardware that holds the window sashes may wear out over time and with use. This could lead to the window or door that is difficult to open or close. The good news is that repairing and replacing this hardware is generally quite simple and inexpensive. If a sash is difficult to operate, try spraying some grease into the jamb channel and then open it to see if this fixes the problem. If not, the issue is most likely due to the sash balance and you'll have to take off the sash to access this hardware.
Ideally, window sashes must be able to open and close with minimal effort but this can be an issue when the weights wear out or if the sash meeting rail isn't properly glazed. This issue could be caused by a variety of factors, including the lack of maintenance or an incorrect weight rating for the particular sash.
If the hinge arms of a window are beginning to lose their elasticity, this could cause the sash to drag and eventually land on the frame in the corner in the opposite direction of the hinge arm (Photo 1). To address this issue, first make sure the sash is squarely inserted into the frame's opening and then take it out of the window. If the sash was attached to the hinge arm, unbolt the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Install the new sash (Photo 3).
Because of sagging hinges and a general lack in energy efficiency, windows that are old especially in older homes, may be difficult to open or close. Many times just a few easy fixes can make these windows operate smoothly and help homeowners save money on their energy bills.
It is crucial to have the tools you require before you begin. Start by marking the location of the hinge channel on the frame with pencil (Photo 1). This will assist you in getting the channel back into position correctly after you've completed. Remove the sash, and then remove the hardware including the parting beads (Photo 2) and the cords or chains that secure it. Soften any putty that has been hardened with a heat gun set to medium and equipped with a nozzle shield. Remove the old sash and place it in a labelled bag.
Sash Weights
Sash weights are able to be replaced to improve the performance of your window sash, and also reduce the energy cost. Sash weights are hefty lead or iron cylinders that are enclosed inside a hidden compartment and linked to the moveable the sash with a rope. They function as counterbalances, allowing you to open and close the window without requiring mechanical or electrical devices. The sash-weights are typically neglected or ignored by homeowners and turned into scrap when they break; therefore, you may need to find replacements.
double glazing repairs Harlow to retrieve the sash-weight that fell from the cavity, so you'll need to find one 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 the sash cord.
Older wood windows are joined by mortise and tenon joints. The wood pegs holding the components together can be removed using a pin punch and hammer. Most of these pegs have a large diameter on one side and a smaller one on the other, so it is essential to remove the smaller-diameter ones first. Sashes that were made later in the century utilized glue instead of pegs. They can be separated by cutting through the glue line using the help of a knife, and then tapping the mortised part loose using a mallet.
Once the sash has been released, you can remove the stops on the sash and get access to the pockets for weights. This is usually done through tiny holes at the bottom of every jamb. This hole is then covered by an access panel of wood which can be removed to allow you to observe the inner workings of the frame.
After the sash has been stopped and the access panel is removed, you can take off the old weight and replace it. Be sure to weigh the sash before you do this, as the old weights could be different sizes than what you require. Once the new weight is installed, run an appropriate length of string through the pulling mechanism. Then, you can nail the string to the frame, but leave a few inches of string sticking out from the head to allow for future adjustments.
Sash Cords
Most old double-hung windows include a chain or cord connected to the weights that keeps the sashes balanced in the jamb. Over time, these chains can get damaged and render it impossible to raise the windows. A new sash cable can restore the ability to raise and lower the sash and keep it in position when it is opened.
The first step in replacing sash cords is to locate and remove the access panels within the jambs. They are usually nailed or screwed in and must be removed or relocated. It is possible to remove them with the hammer or chisel but it is always best to lay out dust sheets prior to beginning any work.
After removing the access panel, you are able to begin working on the sash. Take the narrow beads (also called "tie rails") out of their grooves with the chisel or flat bar. It's important to take your time, as these are often wedged or nailed in place. If the sash remains in place, break the mortise-and-tenon joints out with a hammer or screwdriver, then remove each wood peg. The sash should be able move freely now, but it may require some lubrication to make it feel less stiff.
With the sash open Take a measurement of the sash chain to reach from the pulley on the top of the jamb to the sash slot in the bottom. Cut the chain or cord and fix it using the previous step. You can employ a hammer and screws or nails, but nails are less likely to cause damage.
Unless you've bought an item that replaces the old counterbalance system, it's recommended to keep the original balancing weights in place. It's not expensive to buy them from architectural salvage stores and they'll be simple to install once you've got the sash opened. Depending on the dimensions and shape of your window, you might need to install one or two sashweights in order to keep the sash open.