What Can A Weekly Window Sash Repairs Project Can Change Your Life
Window Sash Repairs
Window sashes need to be regularly checked for mold, mildew and other damage. If you catch these issues early you can save money on future repairs.
The sash is an interior frame that can move upwards and downwards in windows that are open. This article will teach you how to carry out a few simple repairs to sash.
Weather Stripping
Wood window sashes provide a classic aesthetic to your home and, when properly maintained, can last for years. However, they can be damaged or degrade in time due to exposure to the elements and normal wear and wear and tear. Sash repair specialists can restore windows to their original state and maintain their beauty much longer than replacement windows.
The first step to repair sash window damage is to fix weather stripping. It's found on both the sash and frame. It can cause drafts if worn out or loose. To fix it, start by determining your window's 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, take the sash off and mark its height and width so that you can locate new weather stripping that matches.
Then, take it off and set it on a surface so that you can reach all four sides. If your sash is double-hung, you'll also need to remove the weights as well as their ropes, which should have fallen into the intended pocket 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 using a putty blade.
Once the sash has been cleared, you can replace the parting stops. They are long pieces of wood that are used to separate 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 stops and trimming them to the desired length then apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the bottom of the sash. Smooth it out using your putty knife and let it dry for at least a few days. After it has fully dried then apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This will help protect the putty and give your sash a fresh appearance.
Sash Hardware
The hardware that supports window sashes is susceptible to wear and tear from age and use, and the result can be a window or door that isn't able to open or close easily. The good news is that repairing and replacing this hardware is typically relatively easy and affordable. If you're having trouble opening a sash, spray some lubricant into the jamb channel. Then slide the sash out to see if this resolves the problem. If not, the issue is likely with the sash balance and you'll need to remove the sash to gain access to the hardware.
Ideally, window sashes should swing open and closed without effort, however, this can be an issue when the weights wear out or if the sash's meeting rail isn't properly glazed. This problem can be caused by a variety of factors, including the lack of maintenance or the wrong weight rating for the particular window sash.
If the hinge arms of a window begin to lose their elasticity, this could cause the sash to slide and eventually strike the frame in the corner opposite the hinge arm (Photo 1). To fix the problem make sure the sash is in the proper position within the frame opening and then take it off. If the sash is secured to the hinge arm, you'll have to loosen the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Install window repair (Photo 3).
Windows that are old, especially in older homes, may be difficult to open and close due to sagging hinges and a general lack of energy efficiency. In many cases, a few simple repairs can turn these windows into smooth operators for the first time and save the homeowner cash on energy costs.
To complete 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 a pencil (Photo 1). This will help you get the channel back on place correctly when you're finished. Then, remove the sash and remove the hardware, including the parting beads (Photo 2) and the cords or chains which hold it in place. A hot gun with nozzle shield and a medium setting will soften any hardened putty. Remove the old sash, and store it in an labelled bag.
Sash Weights
Sash weights can be replaced to improve the operation of your window sash and decrease energy costs. Sash weights are heavy lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed inside a hidden compartment and attached to the movable sash by a rope. These weights function as counterbalances, which allows you to open and close the window without having to use mechanical or electrical devices. If they fail, sashweights are usually left unnoticed or disabled by homeowners.
It's not easy to retrieve a sash-weight that has fallen from the cavity, so you'll want to find one that fits correctly. You will also require a new piece of string, a length of sashcord and a few sashpulleys to secure the weights you are replacing to the cord.
Mortise and Tenon joints are used to join older wood windows. The wood pegs that hold the components together can be removed with pin punches and hammers. The majority of these pegs have a large diameter on one side and a smaller size on the other side, so it is essential to remove the small-diameter sides first. Later sashes utilized glue instead of pins. They can be separated by using a knife or a mallet.
Once the sash has been released, you can remove sash stops and gain access to the weight pockets. This is usually done through tiny holes in the bottom of each jamb. The hole is surrounded by a wooden panel that can be removed to reveal the inside workings.
After the sash has been stopped and the access panel removed, you will be able to remove the old sash weight and replace it with the new. Be sure to weigh the sash before you do this, since the weights that were previously used may be a different size than what is needed. After the new weight has been installed, run a string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then nail the string to the boxed frame, leaving a few inches of string sticking out from the head to allow for future adjustments.
Sash Cords
In the majority of double-hung windows, a chain or cord is affixed to the weights. This helps keep the sashes within the jamb balanced. Over time, these cords could break, making it difficult to raise the window. A new sash cord can restore the ability to move the sash upwards and downwards and hold it in place when it is opened.
The first step to replace sash cords is to locate and remove the access panels within the jambs. These are usually fixed or screwed in and must be removed or repositioned. It is possible to remove them using a hammer or chisel, but it is always better to lay out dust sheets prior to starting any work.
After you have removed the access panel, you can begin to work on the sash. Make the small parting beads (also called "tie rails") out of their grooves with the chisel or flat bar. It's important to be patient because they are usually placed in a wedge or nail. If the sash remains in place, break the mortise-and-tenon joints out using a hammer or screwdriver and then remove each wood peg. It should now be possible to move the sash around freely, although it might require oiling if it seems stiff.
With the sash open With the sash in an open position, measure the sash chain or cord to reach from the pulley at the top of the jamb to the sash slot on the bottom. Cut the cord/chain and secure it in Step 6 above. You can employ a hammer and nail or screws, but nails are less likely to cause damage.
Unless you've bought an upgrade kit to replace the old counterbalance system, it's best to keep the original balancing weights in place. They're not costly and are easy to install if you purchase them from architectural salvage stores. Based on the size of your window one or two sash weights might be required to keep the sash in an open position.