From time to time, the cord may need to be changed due to wear and tear. With some time and effort, a homeowner can learn how to change a broken cord on a sash window by themselves. To make the repair, have a putty knife, small pry bar, flat head screw driver and several small nails on hand.
The first step will be to remove the interior stop. Use the putty knife to pry it open or unscrew it. Next, move the inner sash out the way carefully. The cords fit into stile grooves, which are vertical pieces inside the frame, and they are held in place with knots. Carefully pull these free and set the weights down. A good idea is to clean out this area of any dirt before reassembling it.
Next, the parting strip needs to be opened from one of the jambs. These are upright supports in the window frame. Be careful when trying to remove this as it may be nailed down. The cords can be taken off after the upper sash is taken out.
The weight pockets must be taken out next. This involves taking off the weather stripping first. Access to the weight pockets should be behind small plates at near the bottom of the jambs. If not, they are behind the interior casing on both sides of the window. In either case, remove the pieces and get the sash weights.
Be sure to measure out the new cords before you replace them and cut the to the right length. Untie the old ones and add the new ones by sending them over the pulleys and then into the weights. Each weight has an eye, which a small bar you can loop the string around. Tie it off here. You can also use wire to help keep it in place.
Hold the weights in place by pulling them to the top of their pockets and putting a nail through them. Fasten it to the frame. Fasten the outer cords to their slots with screws. Next, replace the parting strip and take out the nails and the pulleys and then lift the sash. Tie the cords to the inner sash and then seal up the frame.
It might be easier to change all the strings at one time while the frame is apart. This insures that they are all fresh and shouldn't need to be changed again for some time. It is possible to use chain instead of string, whichever is preferred. It may take some time, but it's much less costly to do it yourself.
The first step will be to remove the interior stop. Use the putty knife to pry it open or unscrew it. Next, move the inner sash out the way carefully. The cords fit into stile grooves, which are vertical pieces inside the frame, and they are held in place with knots. Carefully pull these free and set the weights down. A good idea is to clean out this area of any dirt before reassembling it.
Next, the parting strip needs to be opened from one of the jambs. These are upright supports in the window frame. Be careful when trying to remove this as it may be nailed down. The cords can be taken off after the upper sash is taken out.
The weight pockets must be taken out next. This involves taking off the weather stripping first. Access to the weight pockets should be behind small plates at near the bottom of the jambs. If not, they are behind the interior casing on both sides of the window. In either case, remove the pieces and get the sash weights.
Be sure to measure out the new cords before you replace them and cut the to the right length. Untie the old ones and add the new ones by sending them over the pulleys and then into the weights. Each weight has an eye, which a small bar you can loop the string around. Tie it off here. You can also use wire to help keep it in place.
Hold the weights in place by pulling them to the top of their pockets and putting a nail through them. Fasten it to the frame. Fasten the outer cords to their slots with screws. Next, replace the parting strip and take out the nails and the pulleys and then lift the sash. Tie the cords to the inner sash and then seal up the frame.
It might be easier to change all the strings at one time while the frame is apart. This insures that they are all fresh and shouldn't need to be changed again for some time. It is possible to use chain instead of string, whichever is preferred. It may take some time, but it's much less costly to do it yourself.
About the Author:
Regardless of what kind of sash window repairs London locals require, it is as near as an Internet search. You can learn how to achieve sash cord repairs using local professionals and technicians.
