Window Sash Repairs
Make sure to check the sashes of your windows regularly for signs of damage, mildew and mold. You can reduce future repair costs by catching the issues early, before they become out of control.
The sash is an internal frame that can move vertically up and down in windows that open. This article will teach you how to perform several simple repairs to sash.
Weather Stripping
Wood window sashes give an elegant look to your home. When properly maintained, can last for many years. However, they may become damaged or degraded as time passes because of exposure to the elements and normal wear and tear. Thankfully, sash repair experts can bring your windows back to their original condition and keep them looking great for a longer period of time than replacement windows.
Weather stripping is the most important aspect to consider when you are repairing windows that have sash. It is located on both the frame and sash. It can cause drafts if worn out or loose. Begin by identifying the window's brand and the glass manufacturer's date (etched on the glass's corner or on the aluminum spacers between panes). Then, take the sash off and mark its width and height so that you can locate replacement weather stripping to match.
Then, remove the sash and set it on a work surface so you can access all four sides. If the sash is double-hung, you'll need to remove the weights and the ropes that go with them which should have slipped into the intended pocket in the jamb liner. After you have removed the sash using the utility knife, you can remove the old weather stripping by hand or using a putty blade.
Once the sash has been cleared, you can install the stoppers that separate the two sashes. These are long pieces that divide the sashes. Pam likes to replace these with standard 1/2-inch by 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard, but you can also replace them with scrap wood.
After removing the stoppers for parting and trimming them to your desired length and thickness, apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound with your putty knife, and then let it dry for at least a day. After the putty has completely cured and dried, you can apply an acrylic latex topcoat. This will protect the putty and give your sash a fresh look.
Sash Hardware
The hardware that holds window sashes is susceptible to wear and tear from time and usage and the result could be a door or window that can't be opened or closed easily. It's good to know that replacing and repair of this hardware is typically straightforward and cost-effective. If a sash becomes difficult to operate, try spraying some grease into the jamb channel, and then slide it open to see if this fixes the problem. If the issue persists it's most likely the sash balance. You'll need to take off the window sash in order to reach this hardware.
The ideal situation is for window sashes to move open and shut without effort, however, this can be difficult when the weights wear out or if the sash meeting rail isn't properly glazed. This problem can be caused by a number of factors, including insufficient maintenance or the wrong weight rating for the specific window sash.
If the hinge arms of a window begin to sag, this can cause the sash's to drag and eventually land on the frame in the corner that's opposite the hinge arm (Photo 1). To fix this issue, first make sure the sash fits squarely in the opening of the frame and then take it out of the window. If the sash has been screwed to the hinge arm, you'll have to remove the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Install the new sash next (Photo 3).
Old windows, particularly those in older homes, can be difficult to open and close, due to sagging hinges and a general lack of energy efficiency. Sometimes, a few simple fixes can help these windows function smoothly and save homeowners money on energy bills.
To make these repairs to sash it is important to have all of the tools needed before you begin. Mark the hinge channel's location on the frame (Photo 1) with pencil. This will allow you to get the channel back in place correctly when you're finished. Remove the sash, and remove all the hardware, including the beads for parting cords, chains, and cords that hold the sash in place. Soften any hardened putty using the help of a heat gun set at medium and fitted with an nozzle shield. Take off the old sash and place it in a bag that is labeled.
Sash Weights
No matter if your window sash repair needs are to replace a broken cord or to keep the windows functional and functional, replacing worn-out sash weights will improve sash operation and reduce energy consumption. Sash weights consist of heavy lead or iron cylindricals that are contained in a hidden cavity and connected by ropes to the movable window sash. These weights function as counterbalances and allow you to open and shut the window without having to use 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 get back, so you will want to find a replacement that fits properly. You will also need an additional piece of string, a length of sash cord, and a few sash pulleys that will tie the new sash weights onto the sash cord.
Mortise and Tenon joints are used to join older wood windows. The wood pegs that keep the components together can be removed with a pin punch and hammer. The majority of these pegs are large on one side and smaller on the other. It is crucial to first remove the smaller diameter sides. Later sashes used glue instead of pins. They can be cut with a knife and a mallet.
After the sash is released, you can remove stops on the sash and get access to the pockets for weights. Usually it is done by drilling a hole near the bottom of each jamb. This hole is covered with the wooden panel which can be removed to reveal the interior workings.
Once you have the sash stopped and the access panel removed, you'll be able to take off the weight of the old 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 a different size than what you require. After the new weight is installed, thread a string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then, you can 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
In the majority of old double-hung windows, a cord or chain is connected to the weights. This keeps the sashes of the jamb level. Over time, these cords may become damaged and make it impossible to raise the windows. A new sash cord can restore the ability to move the sash up and down and will keep it in its place when opened.
window repair near me in replacing cords for sash is to locate and take out the access panels located in the jambs. They are usually screwed or nailed in and must be removed. It may be possible to remove them using the hammer or chisel however, it is best to lay out dust sheets before starting any work.
After the access panel has been removed, you can start working on the sash. Prise the narrow parting beads (also called "tie rails") out of their grooves with a chisel or flat bar. These are often wedged in or nailed in, but they can be prised free which is why it's worth your time here. If the sash is in place, remove the mortise and tenon joints using the help of a hammer and pin or screwdriver, then remove the wood pegs on each component. The sash should move freely, however it may require some lubrication in order to feel less stiff.
Take a measurement of the length of the sash chain or sash cord required to reach the sash slot at the bottom from the pulley located at the top of the jamb. Cut the cord/chain and then secure it as in Step 6 above. You can either use a hammer and screws or nails, but nails are less likely to cause damage.
Unless you've bought a kit that replaces the counterbalance system that was in place before, it's recommended to keep the original balancing weights in place. It's not too expensive to purchase them from a salvage store and they'll be easy to install once you have the sash unlocked. Based on the size and shape of your window, you may require one or two sashweights in order to keep it open.