How To Fix A Painted Shut Window

Traditional sash windows are an original feature of many period properties. They tin take a piddling endeavor to maintain but information technology's well worth doing since they look then much nicer than modernistic uPVC windows, particularly in an older building.

A common problem within sash window repair is a sash window that's difficult to open up. It's typically caused past having been painted badly, so that paint has got between the sash and the frame. Numerous layers of paints practical by careless painters over the years volition have built upward and effectively sealed the window shut.

Add to that the likelihood that the frame and/or channels won't take had any cleaning or lubricating attending either, and information technology'southward no wonder that your sash window volition no longer open.

Luckily, this is not a last condition. Unsticking a sash window may need a bit of elbow grease and the right technique, merely it can be done. Here's what you do:

Tools you will demand

The main tools y'all'll need for freeing upward a painted close sash window are

· Sharp Stanley knife or similar razor knife

· Flexible steel scraper or putty pocketknife, or deglazing/splitting tool

· Wide chisel

· Hammer

Inspection

In gild to observe out if it'due south the paint build-upward that'due south causing the problem, it's a good idea to give your sash window a general inspection.

Get-go, make sure the sash cords are still working OK. Requite them a pull and encounter if they are still attached to the sash weights in their pockets. If the pulleys turn and y'all're able to feel the tension from the sash weights, then at that place's no problem. All the same, if the cords are missing or are no longer attached to the weights, the window volition need fixing – which is a separate problem we won't dwell on now.

Side by side, take a shut look down the lines where the window runs in the frame runners. Many one-time windows accept been painted shut from both sides, and then check both the interior and the outside of the window. Can you see that it's been sealed with paint?

Step one: The Inside

Now use the razor bract of your Stanley pocketknife to score a straight line between the sash and window stops on both sides. Push the scraper into the space forth the line and apply gentle pressure to break the bail. If y'all're using a deglazing tool, you tin can simply cut the line in i footstep.

Sometimes the paint has penetrated deeper than you call back and it's difficult to get a Stanley knife in without damaging the paintwork. In this case, a scraper or professional deglazing/splitting tool is your all-time choice. They're tough, flexible and very thin – the ideal tool to force into the gaps. Hold information technology up to the gaps all effectually the joins inside and out, and gently tap with a hammer. You may feel the window requite a petty when information technology'southward freed upwardly.

Under no circumstances should y'all utilise a hammer and chisel to free up the sides. A chisel is also thick and will ruin the wood, while too much creature force can actually break the drinking glass – you accept been warned.

Adjacent, echo the process at the coming together runway (i.e. where the superlative and bottom sash meet when the window is in a closed position). Make certain you take the sash lock unlocked so that you can split the two sashes.

While cutting the windows open up, take not bad care not to cut yourself or gouge the wood – these tools are sharp!

Footstep 2: The Outside

Using the same method as to a higher place, repeat the unabridged process on the exterior, except this fourth dimension you will be cutting the paint between the sash and the departing bead, the square trim piece just outside of the sash.

Side by side move on to the underside of the meeting rail, then tackle the lesser of the sash where it meets the window sill.

You should at present exist able to open the window. If you nonetheless have no joy, a hammer and chisel may be required as a final resort. For the lower window, place the chisel on the outside at the base of operations – from the exterior only. For the upper window, place the chisel on the top – from the within only. Using a hammer very gently and then as not to damage the woodwork, carefully tap a little at each side to free the window.

Step 3: Opening the window

Having removed all obvious paint obstruction, attempt to slowly wiggle the window open up from the inside. Any luck? Chances are that even if you've cut all the paint out of the seams, the window will yet struggle to be opened.

The play tricks is to be patient – don't rush it and don't be too rough. The last affair y'all want to do is to break the glass or damage the mortise and tenon joints that concord the window frame together! Use your scraper to go on cleaning out the remaining pigment and, with a flake of perseverance and some elbow grease, you should be able to get the sash window open.

Once you get the window moving a piddling scrap, go along opening and closing information technology carefully to free it upwardly fully. It will become easier to slide each fourth dimension. Once you have the window fully open, yous tin can use a chisel or sandpaper to remove the remaining excess paint build-up on the inside of the runners.

Finally, utilise some dry lubricant such as a graphite spray, or employ the tried and tested traditional method of vigorously rubbing an quondam candle all over the runners up and down the frame. It should brand opening and endmost your period sash window every bit smooth as the mean solar day it was fitted!

Of course if you lot struggle and this doesn't work you can e'er call in an expert. Sash window repairs Brighton could propose and help.

Julie is passionate about belongings – development, investment and portfolio planning. Forth with husband Alec, Julie is actively building a property portfolio while helping others to do the aforementioned.

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