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Window Sash Repairs
Check the windows sashes regularly for signs of damage, mildew and mold. You can save future repair costs by catching the issues in the early stages before they become out of control.
The sash is an interior frame that moves vertically up and down in windows that are open. This article will teach you how to perform simple repairs to sash.
Weather Stripping
Wooden window sashes can add an elegant look to your home. They are also sturdy and last for a long time if they are properly maintained. They can, however, be damaged or degraded over time due to exposure or normal wear and tear. Sash repair experts can restore windows to their original state and maintain their beauty longer than replacement windows.
The first step for repair sash windows is to address weather stripping, which is found on both the sash and frame. It could cause drafts if worn out or loose. To fix it, begin by finding your window brand and the date on which the glass was manufactured (etched in the corner of the glass or on the aluminum spacer between panes). Then, remove the sash and mark its height and width, so you can find new weather stripping that matches.
Then, you can remove the sash from its holder, and place it on flat surfaces to allow you to reach all four sides. If your sash was double glazing windows repair-hung, take out the ropes and weights that should be buried in the jamb lining. Once you've taken the sash off using a utility knife, you can use it to cut off the weather stripping that was formerly in place at the corners, and then take it off by hand or with a putty knife.
After the sash is cleared, you can install the parting stops. These are long pieces of wood that divide the two 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 scrap wood.
After removing the parting stop and cutting it to length and then apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound with your putty knife, and let it dry 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 an updated appearance.
Sash Hardware
The hardware that holds the window sashes can wear out with time and use. This could lead to a door or a window that is difficult to open or close. It's a good idea to know that replacing or repair of this hardware is typically easy and affordable. If you're having difficulty opening a sash, spray some oil into the jamb channel. Then, slide the sash up and open to see if that fixes the problem. If the issue persists it's most likely the sash balance. You'll need to remove the window sash to reach this hardware.
Ideally, window sashes must move open and shut with minimal effort however, this can be an issue when the weights wear out or if the sash meeting rail isn't properly coated. This issue can be due to a variety of factors such as an absence of maintenance or an unmatched weight rating.
If the hinge arms of a window are starting to slide, this could cause the sash to drag and eventually hit the frame in the corner that's opposite the hinge arm (Photo 1). To address this issue, first make sure the sash is squarely inserted into the frame's opening and then remove it from the window. If the sash has been attached to the hinge arm, unbolt the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Install the new sash next (Photo 3).
Due to hinges that are sagging, and a general lack in energy efficiency, old windows especially in older homes, may be difficult to open or close. Sometimes just a few easy fixes can help these windows function smoothly and save homeowners money on energy costs.
In order to make these sash repairs, it's important to have all of the necessary tools in place before you begin. Begin by marking the position of the hinge channel on the frame with pencil (Photo 1). This will allow you to place the channel in the right location after you've completed. Remove the sash, and then remove the hardware, including the parting beads (Photo 2) and the chains or cords that secure it. Soften any putty that has been hardened with the help of a heat gun set at medium and equipped with an shield for the nozzle. Remove the old sash and keep it in a bag with a label.
Sash Weights
Whether your window sash repairs are to replace a broken cord or to keep your windows functioning by replacing worn out sash weights will improve sash operation and help reduce energy consumption. sash windows repair weights are made of heavy iron or lead cylinders that are enclosed inside a concealed cavity, and connected by ropes to the movable window sash. These weights provide counterbalance that allows the window to be shut and opened without the need for mechanical or electrical devices. When they fail, sashweights tend to be neglected or not used by homeowners.
It's difficult to retrieve an sash-weight which has fallen from the cavity, so you'll need to find one that is suitable for the. You will also need an additional piece of string, a length of sash cord and some sash pulleys to tie the new sash weights to the sash cord.
Mortise and Tenon joints can be used to join old wood windows. Hammers and pins can be used to cut off the wood pegs holding the parts together. Most of these pegs have large diameters on one side and a smaller size on the other side, so it is important to remove the smaller-diameter sides first. Sashes made later in the century used glue instead of pegs. They can be separated by cutting the glue line using the help of a knife, and then tapping the mortised area loose using a mallet.
Once the sash is freed, you can remove the sash stop and access the weight pocket. Usually, this is done through an opening in the bottom of each jamb. This hole is covered by an access panel made of wood which can be removed so that you can see the inner workings of the frame.
After the sash has been stopped and the access panel removed, you will be able to take off the weight from the sash and replace it with new. Make sure you weigh the sash prior to you begin, as the weights that were previously used may be different sizes than what is needed. Once the new weight is installed you can tie a string around it and then thread it through the pulley of the sash. Then attach the string to the frame, but leave a few inches of string sticking out from the head for future adjustment.
Sash Cords
In most old double glazed window repairs-hung window, a cord or chain is affixed to the weights. This helps keep the sashes within the jamb level. As time passes, these cords may break, making it difficult to raise the window. A new sash cable will give you the ability to move and lower the sash, 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. These are usually installed by screws or nails and will need to be removed or repositioned. It may be possible to take them out using an axe or hammer, but it is always best to lay out dust sheets prior to starting any work.
After the access panel has been removed, you can start working on the sash. Take the narrow beads (also called "tie rails") out of their grooves using a chisel or flat bar. They are typically wedged into or nailed in, but they can be snipped out which is why it's worth your time here. If the sash remains in place, break the mortise and tenon joints free using a hammer or screwdriver, then remove each wood peg. The sash should move freely, however it might require some lubrication to feel less stiff.
With the sash in an open position Take a measurement of the sash chain to extend from the pulley on the top of the jamb to the sash slot on the bottom. Cut the cord or chain and attach it in the previous step. You can do this with nail, hammer or screws. However nails are less likely than screws 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 counterbalance that was previously installed. It's not too expensive to purchase them from a salvage store and they will be easy to install once you've got the sash opened. Depending on the size of your window two or three sash weights might be required to keep the sash in an open position.