Window Sash Repairs
Regularly inspect the window sashes for damage, mildew, and mold. By catching these problems early you can save money on future repairs.
The sash is the internal frame that is vertically moved either up or down in windows that open. This article will teach you how to carry out a few simple repairs to the sash.
Weather Stripping
Wooden window sashes can give an elegant look to your home. They are also sturdy and will last for many years if they are properly maintained. They can, however, become damaged or degraded with time, due to exposure and normal wear and tear. Thankfully, sash repair experts can restore your windows back to their original condition and maintain their appearance for a longer period of time than replacement windows.
Weather stripping is the most important thing to address when repairing windows that have sash. It is located on both the frame and sash. It can cause drafts if worn out or loose. To fix it, begin by determining the brand of your window and the date of manufacture for the glass (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 you can purchase new weather stripping that is compatible with the original.
Then, take the sash from its holder, and place it on an even surface that allows you to reach all four sides. If your sash has been double-hung, remove the weights using their ropes that should have fallen into the pocket in the jamb lining. After you have removed the sash using the utility knife, you can remove the old weather stripping by hand or with a putty knife.
When the sash is clean and clean, you can put in the parting stops. They are long pieces of wood that divide the two sashes. Pam prefers to use the standard 1/2-inch by 3/4 inch window trimming from the lumberyard. However, you can also use for a scrap piece of lumber.
After removing the stoppers for parting and trimming them to the desired length then apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound with your putty knife, then let it dry for at least a day. When it's completely dried then apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This will protect the putty, and give your sash an updated look.
Sash Hardware
The hardware that supports window sashes susceptible to wear and tear due to time and usage, and the result can be a window or door that can't be opened or closed easily. It's good to know that replacing and repair of this hardware is typically easy and affordable. If a sash becomes difficult to operate try spraying lubrication into the jamb channel, and then open it to see if that fixes the problem. If not, window repair near me is likely to be with the sash balance and you'll need to take out the sash to gain access to the hardware.
Ideally, window sashes must swing open and closed with minimal effort but this is difficult when the weights are worn or if the sash that joins rail isn't properly coated. This issue could be caused by a number of reasons, such as the lack of maintenance or a mismatched weight rating for a particular sash.
If the hinge arms of a window are beginning to slide, this could cause the sash to drag and eventually strike the frame in the corner directly opposite the hinge arm (Photo 1). To correct the issue make sure the sash is aligned in the frame opening, and then remove it. If the sash was attached to the hinge arm, unbolt the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Then, you can install the new sash (Photo 3).
Because of sagging hinges and a general lack of energy efficiency, windows that are old especially in older houses, could be difficult to open or close. Sometimes it is a matter of making a few minor adjustments that can help these windows function smoothly once more and save homeowners money on their energy bills.
It is crucial to have the tools you require before you begin. Mark the location of the hinge channel on the frame (Photo 1) using a pencil. This will help you to put the channel in the right position after you've finished. Take the sash off, and remove all the hardware, including the beads for parting cords, chains, and cords that help to hold the sash. Soften any hardened putty with an electric heat gun set to medium and fitted with an shield for the nozzle. Remove the old sash and keep it in a bag labeled.
Sash Weights
Sash weights are able to be replaced to improve the operation of your window sash and decrease the energy cost. Sash weights are heavy, lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed inside a hidden compartment and attached to the movable sash by a rope. They are counterbalancers which allows the window to be opened and closed without the need for mechanical or electrical devices. When they fail, sashweights are usually ignored or disabled by homeowners.
It's difficult to retrieve an sash-weight which has fallen from the cavity, so you'll need to find one that fits correctly. You will also need an additional piece of string, a length of sash cord and some sash pulleys to connect the new sash weights onto the sash cord.
Older windows made of wood are joined using mortise and tenon joints. The wood pegs that hold the parts together can be removed using pin punches and hammers. Most of them have large diameters on one side and a smaller diameter on the other side, so it is essential to remove the small-diameter sides first. Sashes made later in the century utilized glue instead of pegs. They can be separated by cutting the glue line using a knife, then tapping the mortised area 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, this is done through a hole near the bottom of each jamb. This hole is covered by an access panel made of wood that can be ripped off so that you can see the inner workings of the frame.
Once the sash is stopped and the access panel is removed, you can take off the weight you used and replace it. Make sure you weigh the sash prior to you do this, since the old weights may be a different size than what you require. After the new weight is installed then tie a string to it and then thread it through the sash pulley. Then nail the string to the boxed frame, but leave a few inches of string protruding from the head for future adjustments.
Sash Cords
In the majority of double-hung windows, a cord or chain is connected to the weights. This supports and keeps the sashes of the jamb balanced. As time passes, these cords may break, making it difficult to raise the window. A new sash cord will give you the ability to move the sash upwards and downwards and will keep it in its position when it is opened.
To replace sash cords the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. They are typically installed by screws or nails and will need to be removed or repositioned. It may be possible to remove them with a hammer or chisel, but it is always better to lay out dust sheets before beginning any work.
Once the access panel is removed, you can begin working on the sash. Utilize a flat bar, or chisel to pry the small parting beads out of their grooves. It's important to take your time, as these are often stuck or nailed to the floor. If the sash is still in place, pry the mortise-and-tenon joints out using a hammer or screwdriver and then take out each wood peg. The sash should be able move around freely now, however it may require some lubrication in order to feel less stiff.
With the sash open With the sash in an open position, measure the sash chain or cord 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 as in the previous step. You can either employ a hammer and screws or nails, however nails are less likely to cause damage.
It is recommended to keep the weights that came with the original counterbalance unless you've purchased a kit that will replace the old counterbalance. They're not costly and simple to install if you purchase them from salvage shops for architectural use. Based on the size of your window, two or three sash weights might be required to keep it open.