5 Window Sash Repairs Lessons From The Professionals
Window Sash Repairs
Regularly inspect the window sashes for any damage, mildew and mold. By catching problems before they become serious, you can save money on repairs in the future.
The sash is an interior framing that can be moved vertically either up or down in windows that are open. This article will teach you how to perform several simple repairs to sash.
Weather Stripping
Wood window sashes add a classic aesthetic to your home and, when properly maintained, can last for a long time. However, they can be damaged or degraded over time due to exposure or normal wear and tear. Sash repair experts can restore windows to their original condition and keep them looking great longer than replacement windows.
Weather stripping is the first aspect to consider when you are repairing sash windows. It is located on both the frame and sash. If it's loose or worn out, it can lead to drafts and other issues. Start by identifying the brand of window and the manufacturer's date (etched on the corner of the glass, or the aluminum spacers between panes). Then, remove the sash and mark its height and width so that you can locate replacement weather stripping to match.
Then, take it off and set it on a surface so that you can reach all four sides. If your sash is double-hung, you'll have to take off the weights and their accompanying ropes which should have slipped into the pocket that was intended to be in the jamb liner. After removing the sash with the utility knife, you can remove the old weather stripping by hand or with the putty blade.
After the sash has been cleared, you can replace the stoppers that separate the two sashes. These are long pieces of wood that separate the two sashes. Pam likes to replace them with standard 1/2-inch-by 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard. However, you can also replace them with a piece of scrap wood.
After removing the stopper for the parting and trimming it to length, apply a thin coat of glazing compound over the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound using your putty knife, and allow it to dry for at least one day. Once the putty has fully dried and dried, you can apply a topcoat of acrylic. This will help protect the putty and give your sash a modern look.
Sash Hardware
The hardware that supports window sashes is prone to wearing out from the wear and tear of use and the result could be a door or window that won't open or close easily. It's important to know that replacing and repair of this hardware is typically straightforward and cost-effective. If a sash isn't easy to operate you can try spraying some grease into the jamb channel, and then slide it open to see if this fixes the problem. If the issue continues, it is most likely that the sash balance is off. You will need to remove the window sash in order to access the hardware.
The ideal situation is for window sashes to swing open and closed with very little effort, but this is an issue if the weights become worn or if the sash meeting rail isn't properly glazed. This issue could be caused by many factors such as an absence of maintenance or an unmatched weight rating.
If the hinges on windows begin to slide, this could cause the sash to drag, and then eventually to hit the frame in the opposite corner (Photo 1). To fix the problem ensure that the sash is aligned in the frame opening and then take it off. If the sash has been attached to the hinge arm, remove the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Install the new sash (Photo 3).
Windows that are old, especially in older homes, can be difficult to open and close, due to hinges that are sagging and an overall inefficiency. Many times it is a matter of making a few minor adjustments that can help these windows function smoothly again and save homeowners money on their energy bills.
In order to make these repairs to the sash it is essential to have all of the necessary tools in place before you begin. Mark the hinge channel location on the frame (Photo 1) with a pencil. This will allow you to get the channel back into position correctly after you've completed. Remove the sash, and remove all the hardware including the parting beads, cords, and chains that help to hold the sash. The nozzle shield of the heat gun and a medium setting will soften any hardened putty. Take off the old sash and keep it in a bag labeled.
Sash Weights
If your window sash repairs are to replace a damaged cord or simply to keep the windows functional, replacing worn out weights for sash will improve its operation and help reduce energy consumption. Sash weights are hefty lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed in a concealed cavity and connected to the movable sash by a rope. They are counterbalancers which allows the window to be opened and closed without using mechanical or electrical devices. When they fail, sashweights are usually left unnoticed or disabled by homeowners.
It is difficult to recover the sash-weight that fell from the cavity, so you'll need to find one that is suitable for the. You will also require a new piece of string, a length sashcord and a few sashpulleys to secure the weights you are replacing to the cord.
Older windows made of wood are joined by mortise and tenon joints. window repairs near me that hold the parts together can be removed using a pin punch and hammer. The majority of these pegs have an enormous diameter on one side and a smaller one on the other, which is why it is essential to remove the smaller-diameter sides first. Sashes that were made later in the century utilized glue instead of pegs and can be separated by cutting the glue line with a knife, then tapping the mortised part loose using mallets.
After the sash has been removed, you can remove the sash stop and gain access to the weight pocket. Usually it is done by drilling a hole near the bottom of each jamb. This hole is covered with a wooden panel that can be removed to reveal the inner workings.
Once the sash is stopped and the access panel has been removed, you can take off the weight that was previously installed and replace it. Make sure you weigh the sash prior to you begin, as the weights that were previously used may be a different size than what you require. Once the new weight has been installed, run a string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then, nail the string to the boxed frame. Leave a few inches of space at the head of the string to allow future adjustments.
Sash Cords
In most old double-hung window, a cord or chain is affixed to the weights. This helps keep the sashes of the jamb balanced. Over time, these cords could break, making it difficult to raise the window. A new sash cord will restore the ability to move the sash upwards and downwards and will keep it in its place when opened.
To replace sash cords, the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. These are usually installed by screws or nails and must be removed or relocated. You could employ a hammer and chisel for removing them, but it's always better to lay down dust sheets prior to commencing any work.
After you have removed the access panel, you can begin to work on the sash. Use a flat bar or chisel, to pry the tiny partsing beads out of their grooves. It is important to be patient as they're often wedged or nailed in place. If the sash is still in place, break the mortise-and-tenon joints out with a screwdriver or hammer and then remove each wood peg. The sash should be able to move freely now, but it may need some lubrication in order to feel less stiff.
With the sash open, measure enough sash cord/chain to reach from the pulley in the top of the jamb to the sash slot in the bottom. Cut the cord or chain and secure it in Step 6 above. You can use either a hammer, nails or screws. However, nails are less likely to cause damage.
It is recommended to keep the original weights if you have purchased a kit that will replace the old counterbalance. It's cheap to purchase them from a salvage store and they'll be easy to install once you've got the sash open. Depending on the size and shape of your window you may require one or two sashweights to keep it open.