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How to repair stuck sash windows

Author: Sudarsan Chakraborty
by Sudarsan Chakraborty
Posted: Oct 21, 2020
glass unit

House owners don’t like failures of window sashes. Especially when it comes to old buildings, the windows of which were installed several centuries ago. In this case, the level of security is significantly reduced, so the problem must be solved promptly.

There are several reasons why sashes get stuck or don’t close completely. You can try to fix the windows yourself, but contacting the company of professionals will allow you to repair the damage faster and better.

Broken sash cord

The most common problem is a broken cord. Because of it, the sash changes its initial position in the frame and can get stuck. Most often, it’s the top element. Before attempting to return the sash to its normal position, lift it up and hold it in this position with the closed latch. Thanks to this, it is possible to repair timber sash windows, rather than replace them completely.

If the window is latched and the cord is torn, remember that it is no longer needed. Carefully examine the groove in which this part is located. Cut the cord so that it doesn’t get pinched. Use a screwdriver and screws. A screw diameter of 40 mm will work best. The screw must be threaded through the wooden board, the sash will be held securely.

Open the bottom flap wide and push the top into the corner. If everything is done correctly, the sash will be released. It will allow you to continue to use the window. Close the top sash, tighten all screws securely to avoid accidental dropping of the sash. This is only a temporary solution. Next, you will need to completely replace the glass unit or strengthen the existing window. As additional functions, it is possible to provide protection against drafts, increase the level of noise, etc.

Windows sticking when opening

If the windows stuck in the closed position, the problem is not difficult. When the sash cannot be moved from open to closed position, use an emergency solution. The cause of the sash stuck may be a cord that has gotten inside the frame. You don’t need to perform too many sash windows repair actions; if you cannot do it yourself, contact the specialists.

You can try to find the cord. The sash must be raised or lowered without making any sudden movements. Pull it down, the cord may be sticking out somewhere near the frame. Part of it can be seen in the upper part of the window; be ready to remove unnecessary details. Use pliers, wire cutters, and other tools.

The dividing bar in the glass unit is pressed into the frame at a certain angle. Find the suitable position to release the stuck sash. To do this, remove the bar. After that, you will see a stuck cord, it will make it easy to repair the window.

Grasp the sash cord with pliers. Move the sash with a chisel to a position where friction against the cord is minimal. Next, pull the free part of the bar and move it to its normal position. Try to follow these steps as carefully as possible so as not to break the glass.

Painted shut sash window

Let's take a closer look at how to perform wooden window repair with a painted surface and closed sashes. To do this, you need to use a set of tools, including:

  • thin razor knife;
  • spatula or scraper to help remove excess paint;
  • chisel with a wide surface;
  • hammer.

Excessive buildup of paint can be one of the causes of sash stuck. For this, you need to inspect the glass unit. Make sure the cords are working properly. Pull them to see if they are attached to the loads? The pulleys should move, and the tension on the sash loads should be palpable. It is not difficult. But if the cords are not secured, it is necessary to repair the window.

The next place to look is the lines around the casements. They may have gotten a lot of paint. Use a knife to gently slide between the sash and the side window stops. Insert a scraper into the resulting space and press on it — the line will become more distinct.

If the paint is too deep, the knife may damage the coating of the glass unit. Use professional tools that can be placed in gaps to gently remove paint buildup. Hammer and chisel are not recommended for such works. The latter has too thick surface, which can damage the wooden part of the sash.

During the process of wooden window refurbishment, inspect its part where the upper and lower sash joins in the closed position. The lock must not be closed, otherwise it will not be possible to separate the sashes with tools.

Now you need to take similar steps on the outside of the window. But this time, the paint will be cut between the sash and the edge serving as a spacer. The overlay behind the sash may hinder the paint removal process. You also should pay attention to the lower part of the window in the place where the sash contacts the window sill.

The listed manipulations will help you open the window. If the sashes are still stuck, use the chisel and the hammer again. If the bottom of the window is stuck, position the chisel outward at the bottom. Place the tool to open the top. Now it remains to gently knock on the tools so that the window moves and opens. Try not to damage the wooden surface of the glass unit.

The final step is to open the window. In some cases, it is quite difficult to do, even if all paint has been removed from the seams. Be patient and careful. You don't want to accidentally break glass or damage grooves, do you? The window frame needs to be held in place, so scrub the paint off with a scraper without using much physical force.

When the window begins to give way a little, slowly open and close it to move it to the fully open position little by little. It will get easier with every next attempt. With the window fully open, grab your sandpaper and smooth the rails and sashes again to remove any remaining paint.

To avoid problems with opening or closing the sashes, try applying dry lubricant to the window, for example, graphite spray. A cheaper way is to rub the wax candle along the rails. It will ensure the smooth opening of the window sashes. Thanks to the presented steps, you will be able to return the necessary functionality to your windows. If the problem is not solved, please contact our company https://chameleon-decorators.co.uk/windows-restoration/, and our specialists will fix anything as soon as possible.

About the Author

I'm a professional writer and author of many sites. I want to explore the world through my writing.

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Author: Sudarsan Chakraborty
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Sudarsan Chakraborty

Member since: Jul 08, 2020
Published articles: 187

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