Window Sash Repairs

Window sashes need to be regularly checked for mold, mildew and other damage. You can avoid future repair costs by catching problems early, before they become out of control.

The sash is an inside frame that moves vertically up and down in windows that are open. This article will teach you how to perform easy repairs to your sash.

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes give an elegant look to your home. If properly maintained, they can last for years. However, they can become damaged or degraded with time due to exposure or normal wear. Sash repair experts can restore windows to their original state and maintain their beauty much longer than replacement windows.

The first step in repair sash window repair near me damage is to fix weather stripping, which is found on both the sash and frame. It can cause drafts if worn or loose. Begin by identifying the brand of window and the glass manufacturer's date (etched on the glass's corners, or the aluminum spacers between panes). Remove the sash and mark its size and width so that you can purchase new weather stripping that is compatible with the original.

Then, take it off and set it on a work surface so that you can reach all four sides. If your sash is double-hung, you'll need to take off the weights and their accompanying ropes, which should have fallen into the pocket of 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. Then, remove it by hand or using a putty blade.

Once the sash has been cleared, you can replace parting stops. These are long pieces that separate the sashes. Pam prefers the standard 1/2-inch by 3/4 inch window trim from the lumberyard. However, you can substitute a scrap piece of wood.

After removing the parting stops and cutting them to the desired length, apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound using a putty tool, and allow it to dry for at least a day. Once it's fully cured then apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This will help protect the putty and give your sash a modern look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that holds window sashes is susceptible to wear and tear from the wear and tear of use and the result could be a window or door repairing that can't be opened or closed easily. The good news is that fixing and replacing this hardware is typically quite simple and inexpensive. If you are having trouble opening the sash, spray some oil into the jamb channel. Then slide the sash out to see if this resolves the problem. If the issue persists it's most likely to be due to the sash's balance. You will need remove the window sash in order to access the hardware.

The ideal situation is for window sashes to be able to open and close without effort, but this can be difficult when the weights wear out or if the sash's meeting rail isn't properly glazed. This issue can be caused by a variety of things, such as lack of maintenance or by a mismatched weight rating for the specific window sash.

If the hinge arms of a window are starting to sag, this can cause the sash's to drag and eventually hit the frame in the corner in the opposite direction of the hinge arm (Photo 1). To resolve this issue, first make sure the sash fits squarely in the frame's opening and then remove it from the window. If the sash has been screwed to the hinge arm, you'll need to loosen the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Install the new sash (Photo 3).

Due to sagging hinges, and a general lack in energy efficiency, old windows especially in older homes, may be difficult to open or close. In most instances, a few minor repairs can transform these windows into smooth operators and save homeowners money on energy bills.

It is important to have the tools you require before you begin. Begin by marking the location of the hinge channel on the frame using a pencil (Photo 1). This will assist you in getting the channel back in place correctly when you're finished. Then, remove the sash, and then remove the hardware including the parting beads (Photo 2) and the chains or cords which hold it in place. The nozzle shield of the heat gun and medium setting will soften any hardened putty. Remove the old sash and put it in a labeled bag.

Sash Weights

Whether your window sash repairs are to replace a damaged cord or simply to keep your windows functioning by replacing worn out weights for sash will improve its operation and help reduce energy consumption. Sash weights are hefty lead or iron cylinders enclosed in a hidden cavity and attached to the movable sash by rope. These weights function as counterbalances, which allows you to open and shut the window without the need for mechanical or electrical devices. If they fail, sashweights tend to be ignored or disabled by homeowners.

A sash weight that has fallen out of the cavity is difficult to recover, so you will want to find a new one that fits correctly. You will also require a fresh piece of string, a length of sashcord and a few sashpulleys for tying the weights you are replacing to the cord.

Mortise and Tenon joints are used to join old wood windows. The wood pegs that hold the parts together can be removed by the use of a pin punch and hammer. The majority of them are large on one side, and smaller on the other. It is essential to first remove the smaller diameter sides. Sashes that were made later in the century utilized glue instead of pegs and can be separated by cutting through the glue line with a knife, then tapping the mortised area loose using mallets.

After the sash is released, you can remove sash stops and access the pockets for weights. This is usually done through an opening at the bottom of each jamb. The hole is surrounded by an unfinished wooden panel that can be removed to reveal the inside workings.

Once the sash is stopped and the access panel has been removed, you are able to remove the weight that was previously installed and replace it. Make sure you weigh the sash prior to you do this, since the old weights may be different in size from the one you need. Once the new weight has been installed, thread the string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then, attach the string to your boxed frame. Leave a few inches protruding at the top of the string to allow for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

Most double-hung repairing upvc windows of the past have a cord or chain attached to the weights that keeps the sashes balanced within the jamb. Over time, these cords can get damaged and make it difficult to raise windows. A new sash cable will restore the ability to raise and lower the sash and ensure it stays in place when opened.

To replace sash cords the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. These are usually screwed or nailed into and must be removed. It is possible to remove them using a hammer or chisel, however, it is best to lay out dust sheets before starting any work.

After removing the access panel, you can begin working on the sash. Make the small parting beads (also known as "tie rails") out of their grooves with the chisel or flat bar. It is important to be patient as they're often stuck or nailed to the floor. If the sash remains in place, pry the mortise-and tenon joints with a hammer or screwdriver and then take out each wood peg. You should be able to move the sash back and forth freely, although it may require oil if it feels stiff.

With the sash in an open position Take a measurement of the sash chain to reach from the pulley at the top of the jamb to the sash slot on the bottom. Cut the chain or cord, and then attach it as described in Step 6 above. You can employ a hammer and nail or screws, but nails are less likely to cause damage.

If you don't have an item that replaces the old counterbalance system it's best to keep the original balancing weights in place. It's cheap to purchase these from salvage shops for architectural purposes and they'll be simple to install once you have the sash open. Depending on the size and shape of your window you may need to use one or two sashweights in order to keep the sash open.