With sash windows, knowing the right time to replace them is not that easy. Wear and damage normally develop unseen, so you really need to pay attention to these windows. Once you spot damage, you need to know whether it can be fixed or not, and this is one of the most difficult decisions homeowners face. Damaged windows mean that your home is not properly insulated, and in the end, it may cost you a great deal. Here's a guide that will assist you in detecting problems early and knowing exactly when to repair or replace your windows.
Decay of timber
Decaying is one of the biggest problems that sash windows face. The decay may not be easily visible when it starts but detecting it early may save your windows from replacement. Watch out for any signs of chipped wood or holes. You could also take a screwdriver and move it all around your window. The decayed areas will feel soft, and you can easily drive the screwdriver in. If the decayed areas are larger than the solid wood, a replacement is necessary.
Condensation
If your windows are single glazed and always foggy, then you should replace them with double glazed windows. Single glazed windows are very poor insulators and succumb to such condensation problems quite easily.
However, if the sash windows are double glazed, and the mist is between the double glazing units, that is a sign that your windows are faulty. It's a sign that the airtight space between the panes is compromised and trying to repair such a condition is very expensive. It also won't be as reliable as a replacement. A pro can work on a repair if only one pane is faulty. However, if you've got many defective small panes that make up your window, then you'd rather replace it. You can simply replace the glass units as opposed to the whole window to lower your costs.
Hot or cold spots on the window
If there are hot or cold spots around the window, then that's a sign that the insulation around the window needs some work. To be sure, light a candle and slowly traverse it close to your frames. If the candle flame flickers, then the insulation is damaged. Such drafts lower the energy efficiency of the windows, but a simple repair can prevent further damage. All you need to do is re-apply the caulk on the windows. Do this when the humidity levels are low so that moisture doesn't get trapped between the caulk and window. Also add weather stripping to seal the leaks around the sashes. You may need a professional to help you with this, so contact someone who specializes in timber window repairs.
Share17 May 2016
I really want a cool old fixie like some of the people at my university have, but they are actually more expensive than I had first thought. Then I was going through the shed at home, and I found a really old rusted bike my dad used to use. The bike needed a lot of work, so it's been a project for the last few months to get it working properly and get it looking great again. This blog has all of the repair and restoration steps that I have used, and pictures of my progress as the project progressed.
