Window Sash Repairs
Window sashes need to be regularly checked for mold, mildew, and damage. You can avoid future repair costs by catching problems in the early stages before they get out of hand.
The sash is an inside frame that can move upwards and downwards in windows that are open. This article will show you how to do a variety of simple sash repair.
Weather Stripping
Wooden window sashes can give a classic look to your home. They are also durable and will last for many years when they are maintained properly. However, they can be damaged or deteriorate in time due to exposure to elements and wear and tear. Thankfully, sash repair experts can bring your windows back to their original condition and keep them looking fantastic for a longer period of time than replacement windows.
The first step to repair sash window damage is to fix weather stripping, which can be found on both the sash and frame. It can cause drafts if it's worn out or loose. Begin by identifying the window's brand and the date of manufacture for the glass (etched on the glass's corner or on the aluminum spacers between panes). Remove the sash, and mark its size and width so that you can purchase replacement weather stripping that matches.
Then, take it off and place it on a table so that you can reach all four sides. If your sash has been double-hung, remove the weights using their ropes that should be buried inside the jamb lining. After you have removed the sash using the utility knife, take off the weather stripping from the old sash by hand or using a putty knife.
After the sash has been cleared, you can replace the parting stops. They 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 stoppers for parting and trimming them to the desired length and thickness, apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound using your putty knife, and let it dry for at least one day. Once it's fully cured then apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This will protect the putty and give your sash a new appearance.
Sash Hardware
The hardware that supports the window sashes can wear out over time and use. This could result in a door or a window that is difficult to open or close. It's a good idea to know that replacing or fixing this hardware is usually easy and affordable. If you're having trouble opening a sash, spray some grease into the jamb channel. Then, slide the sash up and open to see if this resolves the problem. If not, the issue is likely to be with the balance of the sash and you'll have to take off the sash in order to access this hardware.
Window sashes need to open and close with little effort. However, this may be difficult if the weights are worn out or the sash meeting rail is not properly coated. This problem can be caused by a variety of things, such as lack of maintenance or by the wrong weight rating for a particular window sash.
If the hinge arms of a window begin to sag, this can cause the sash's to drag and eventually hit the frame in the corner directly opposite the hinge arm (Photo 1). To address this problem, first ensure that the sash is squarely inserted into the frame's opening and then remove it from the window. If the sash is screwed to the hinge arm, you'll need to unscrew the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Install the new sash next (Photo 3).
Due to hinges that are sagging, and a general deficiency in energy efficiency, windows that are old, especially those in older houses, could be difficult to open and close. In most instances, a few minor repairs can turn these windows into smooth operation and save homeowners money on energy bills.
In order to make these sash repairs, it's important to have all of the tools needed before you begin. Mark the hinge channel location on the frame (Photo 1) using pencil. This will make it easier to put the channel in the proper place when you are finished. Remove the sash and take out all the hardware, including the beads for parting cords, chains, and cords that help to hold the sash. Heat gun with nozzle shield and a medium setting can soften any hardened putty. Remove the old sash, and put it in a bag labeled.
Sash Weights
Sash weights can be changed to enhance the efficiency of your window sash and reduce energy costs. Sash weights are heavy, lead or iron cylinders that are enclosed in a hidden cavity and connected to the movable window sash using a rope. They function as counterbalances, which allows you to open and close the window without the need for mechanical or electrical devices. The sash weights are often disregarded or disabled by homeowners and then turned into scrap when they fail. Consequently, you may need to search for replacements.
A weight from a sash that fell out of the cavity is difficult to retrieve and you'll need to find a replacement that fits properly. You will also require a new piece of string, a length of sashcord and a few sashpulleys to secure the new weights to the cord.
Older windows made of wood are joined using mortise and tenon joints. Hammers and pins can be used to remove the wood pegs that hold the components together. The majority of these pegs are large on one side and smaller on the other. It is essential to first remove the smaller diameter sides. Sashes made later in the century used glue instead of pegs and can be separated by cutting through the glue line with the help of a knife, and then tapping the mortised section loose using mallets.
After the sash has been removed, you can remove the stopper on the sash and get access to the weight pocket. Usually it is done by drilling an opening in the bottom of each jamb. The hole is then covered with an access panel of wood which can be removed to let you view the inside of the frame.
Once the sash is stopped and the access panel is removed, you are able to remove the weight you used and replace it. Weigh the sash first, as the weights you have may not be the right size. After the new weight is in place, tie a string to it and thread it through the sash pulley. Then, attach the string to the boxed frame. Leave a few inches protruding at the head of the string for future adjustments.
Sash Cords
In most old double-hung window the chain or cord is connected to the weights. This supports and keeps the sashes in the jamb level. Over time, these cords may become damaged and render it impossible to raise the windows. A new sash cable can restore the ability to move and lower the sash, and keep it in place when it is opened.
To replace sash cords the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. They are usually installed by screws or nails and must be removed or relocated. You may be able to use a hammer or chisel to prise them off, but it's always better to lay down dust sheets prior to commencing any work.
After removing the access panel, you are able to begin working on the sash. Utilize a flat bar or chisel to pull the tiny parting beads out of their grooves. window repairs are typically wedged into or nailed, but they can be removed and it's worth your time here. If the sash is still in place, break the mortise-and-tenon joints out with a screwdriver or hammer, then remove each wood peg. The sash should move around freely now, however it may require some lubrication in order to feel less stiff.
With the sash open, measure enough sash cord/chain to reach from the pulley on the top of the jamb to the sash slot on the bottom. Cut the cord/chain and fix it using the previous step. 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 in place unless you have purchased a kit to replace the counterbalance that was previously installed. It's not expensive to buy them from architectural salvage stores and they'll be simple to install once you have the sash unlocked. Depending on the dimensions and shape of your window, you may require one or two sashweights in order to keep the sash open.