Sash Window Repair
Sash windows may become old and insecure. They may leak or make noises. Sash window specialists can restore them to their original state and give them a new coat of paint.
Pam likens her pursuit of replacement weights to trading horses- she eventually finds combinations that work. She also sprays the pulley axles with a light coating of lubricant to stop future squeaks.
1. Cracked Glass
Timber windows can develop cracks in the glass and damaged sash cables as time passes. These are typical problems for older sash windows, however luckily they can usually be remedied without replacing the window.
A broken window pane could be dangerous, especially to children or elderly living on their own. It is important to fix it as quickly as you can. Mark the area you wish to cut using markers prior to placing the window pane. Then, using a metal straightedge with glass cutters equipped with small-sized wheels, mark the cutting line in the glass. Make sure you wear gloves and safety glasses when using the glass cutter.
Once the cut is made after which you can carefully remove the glass and place it in a safe place. Then, take the sash and place it on a flat work surface. Be sure to protect yourself by wearing thick cut-proof gloves as well as safety glasses. Tape the glass in an shape that is X using painter's masking tape. Also tape any broken glass. This will help keep the broken pane in one piece while you remove it from the frame.
After securing the glass using tape, remove any cords or chains and the parting beads. Soften the old, hardened glue with a heat gun and scrape it away with a putty knife. Remove any hardware that is attached to the sash by carefully taking it off. Label the bag to determine where to put it back.
If your sash has stopped halfway either way, it could be due to a damaged pulley system. A professional sash restorer can replace spring balances and pulleys, making your window smooth to operate again. They can also install draught-proofing and weather-sealing to old timber windows, making them warmer and reducing your utility costs. If you reside in an area that is listed or a conservation area The company can also install slimline double-glazing into your timber frames. This will make them more energy efficient.
2. Broken Sash
Sash windows are designed to let fresh air, after a while they can become stuck. This usually happens when a sash cable is damaged and the window is unable to be shut or opened. It is essential to examine your window to find the source of the issue, if the sash has become stuck or cannot be opened. Once the cause of the problem has been determined it is possible to implement an easy solution.
Check that the metal tabs at the top and bottom of the sash are inserted into the slots in the frame of the window. If the tabs have a different shape, they may not fit correctly. This can result in the window being unable to be moved up or down. A couple of screws can usually be removed to fix this.
The bottom sash should be removed and put on a flat surface. There is a small door on both the left and right sides of the window. These are known as "pockets." These were originally designed to be snug fitting however many have been pinned or screwed to the wall over the years. Utilize a knife to carefully slice along the paint joints and gently pry them out.
Look for nails used to secure the pockets. If there aren't nails, you can try to lever the pockets free. It's helpful to have someone hold the window as they can be quite heavy. If you see nails, you'll have to break them using the blade of a tiny pry-bar. This can be tricky and it is sometimes simpler to replace the nails completely.
The final step is to install the new sash into the opening. This should be fairly easy once you have everything in place. If the sash on the bottom is unable to be pulled out, it might need to be balanced by attaching a counterweight and re-tying old cords. To do this, you will have to remove the jambs and access the cast-iron weights.
3. Paint that is worn Paint
It can cause rotting as well as other issues, when the paint has worn away. It can also hide the original design of the window.
If the rot isn't so bad, it could be possible to sand the affected area prior to applying a wood-hardener that helps to consolidate fibers. Once the epoxy filler is dry and is cured, you can fix the damaged area and form it to match surrounding wood. Once the epoxy wood filler has dried, sand the surface smooth, prime it, and then paint the window to restore it.
Check that the sash has been completely open and isn't snagged. After you've finished painting the lower portion of the sash time to reassemble and paint the upper frame. When reassembling the sash, paint the edges first, and then move on to the rebate, which is the place where the sash will be in the sash's rabbet once it's shut and opened. If the sash isn't completely vertical when you place it back into the rebate of the sash you can secure it using glazier's points.
When you're ready to re-paint make sure you're using the right kind of paint suitable for sash windows and apply a few coats with either a roller or brush. It's important to keep a uniform thickness of paint so that the finish will appear consistent across all surfaces.
Label every part when you are painting your window. This will help you to put them back in the correct place later. This is particularly useful when you're working on several windows that have sash on them simultaneously. Remove the staff bead, and remove all security fittings prior to taking the lower sash off. Once the sash is removed, you'll be able to replace pockets and parting beads seal any gaps with decorators caulk, and tighten the sash cords. Once the job is complete, your sash window should be running smoothly again.
4. Rotten Timber
Our sash windows team discovered decayed wood in the frame box and frame during an earlier Highgate project. This is a common issue in older homes. Check that the putty seals and protects the glass frames. A gap in the frame can allow moisture to seep in and cause decay. This is easy to overlook, particularly when the sash is moving slowly due to grime or high humidity. With a little time and a little attention to the putty and a little sash maintenance, you can easily correct this before it becomes a problem.
The first step is to take away the decayed timber and replacing it with new wood. You can make use of a combination of a pry bar an axe, and hammer to do this. Make sure the area is completely free of nails, wood or other debris that could impede the sash re-construction once it is back in place. The sash will be rebuilt using timber splicing in order to replace the rotten wood and epoxy resin on the remaining pieces of sound wood.
Once the sash is rebuilt, it's time to re-glaze your window. It's a fairly simple procedure that can be completed with the window open or closed. If the sash is open it is essential to lower the sash cords prior doing this, to avoid lowering the weights and breaking them. Reinstalling the sash after it's been repaired is as simple as hooking the cords to each pulley and then reconnecting the strip of separation.
Regular maintenance of your timber and sash windows maintenance can aid in prolonging the life of your sash windows, and will reduce the need repairing upvc windows for extensive repairs to sash. Making a habit of caulking your windows and sash doors, and repainting regularly will help stop water infiltration and damp. In addition keeping an check on your trim and checking for areas of decay will help keep your home in good condition and will avoid expensive repairs to your sash windows.