Window Sash Repairs
Regularly inspect the window sashes for damage, mildew, and mold. By catching problems before they become serious you will save money on repairs in the future.
The sash is an inside frame that moves vertically up and down in windows that are open. This article will teach you how to do simple repairs to sash.
Weather Stripping
Wood window sashes add a classic aesthetic to your home. If properly maintained, can last for years. However, they can be damaged or degraded as time passes due to exposure to elements and normal wear and tear. However, sash repair experts can restore your windows back to their original condition and keep them looking great for much longer than newer replacement windows.
The first step in repair sash window damage is to fix weather stripping. It's found on both the sash and frame. If it's damaged or worn out, it can cause drafts, as well as other issues. Begin by identifying the window brand and the glass manufacturer's date (etched on the corner of the glass or on the aluminum spacers between panes). Then, take the sash off and mark its height and width to find the appropriate weather stripping replacement to match.
Then, remove the sash from its holder, and place it on flat surfaces to allow you to see all four sides. If your sash is double-hung, you'll have to remove the weights as well as the ropes that go with them which should have slipped into the pocket that was intended to be in the jamb liner. Once you've taken the sash off and the weights, use a utility knife to cut away the old weather stripping at the corners. Then, take it off by hand or with a putty knife.
After the sash has been cleaned, you can replace the stoppers that separate the two sashes. These are long pieces that divide the sashes. Pam prefers 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 parting stops and trimming them to the desired length, apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound with your putty knife, then let it dry for a minimum of a day. Once it's fully cured and dried, apply a second coat of acrylic latex paint. This will help protect the putty, and give your sash an updated look.
Sash Hardware
The hardware that holds the windows sashes can become worn 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 a sash isn't easy to operate, try spraying some grease into the jamb channel, and then slide it open to see if this solves the issue. If not, the issue is most likely due to the sash balance, and you'll need to remove the sash in order to access this hardware.
Ideally, window sashes should swing open and closed with very little effort, but this is an issue if the weights become worn or if the sash that joins rail isn't properly coated. This issue could be caused by many factors, including the lack of maintenance or a mismatched weight rating.
If the hinge arms on a window begin to sag this could cause the sash to drag, and then eventually to hit the frame in the opposite corner (Photo 1). To remedy the issue, make sure that the sash is centered in the frame opening and then remove it. If the sash is screwed to the hinge arm, you'll have to unscrew the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Then, window repair near me can install the new sash (Photo 3).
Due to hinges that are sagging, and a general deficiency in energy efficiency, old windows particularly those in older homes, can be difficult to open or close. Many times, a few simple fixes can make these windows operate smoothly once more and save homeowners money on energy costs.
To make these repairs to the sash, it's important to have all of the necessary tools in place before you begin. Start by marking the location of the hinge channel on the frame with pencil (Photo 1). This will allow you to position the channel in the correct place when you are finished. Then, remove the sash and remove the hardware including the beads that separate (Photo 2) and the chains or cords which hold it in place. Soften any hardened putty with the help of a heat gun set at medium and fitted with a shield for the nozzle. Take off 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 also reduce energy costs. Sash weights are heavy, lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed in a concealed cavity and attached to the movable sash by rope. These weights provide counterbalance that allows the window to be closed and opened without the use of electrical or mechanical devices. When they fail, sashweights are often ignored or disabled by homeowners.
It is difficult to recover a sash-weight that has fallen from the cavity, so you'll want to find one that fits properly. You will also need an additional piece of string, a length the sash cord, as well as some sash pulleys to connect the new sash weights the sash cord.
Older windows made of wood are joined using mortise and tenon joints. The wood pegs that keep the parts together can be removed using the use of a pin punch and hammer. Most of them have large diameters on one side and a smaller size on the other, so it is important to remove the small-diameter sides first. Sashes that were made later in the century made use of 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 with mallets.
After the sash is removed, you can remove the stopper on the sash and get access to the weight pocket. Usually it is done by drilling a hole near the bottom of each jamb. The hole is surrounded by a wooden panel that can be removed to reveal the interior workings.
After the sash has been stopped and the access panel removed, you'll be able to take off the old sash weight and replace it with new. Be sure to weigh the sash first, as the weights you have might not be the correct size. After the new weight is installed, tie a string to it and then thread it through the pulley of the sash. Then, you can nail the string to the frame, but only leave a few inches of string sticking out from the head for future adjustments.
Sash Cords
The majority of double-hung windows with a history come with a chain or cord connected to the weights that supports and keeps the sashes balanced in the jamb. Over time these cords can 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 keep it in position 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 will need to be removed or repositioned. It is possible to remove them with the hammer or chisel however, it is best to lay out dust sheets prior to beginning any work.
After you have removed the access panel, you are able to begin working on the sash. Utilize a flat bar, or chisel to pry the small partsing beads out of their grooves. It is essential to be patient, as these are often placed in a wedge or nail. If the sash is still in place, break the mortise-and tenon joints with a hammer or screwdriver, then remove each wood peg. You should now be able to move the sash around freely, although it might require oiling if it seems stiff.
With the sash open Take a measurement of the sash chain to extend from the pulley on the top of the jamb to the sash slot at the bottom. Cut the cord/chain and then secure it as in Step 6 above. You can use nail, hammer or screws. However, nails are less likely than screws to cause damage.
It's best to leave the original weights if you've purchased a kit that will replace the counterbalance that was previously installed. It's not expensive to buy these from salvage shops for architectural purposes and they will be easy to install once you've got the sash opened. Based on the size of your window one or two sash weights may be needed to keep the sash in an open position.