Maintaining My Home

• check whether there are any nails or screws holding the sashes closed and remove any you find

• cut through the paint with a blade between the sash and the frame or run down the line with an oscillating power tool

• gently tap the sash and pry the window open

• repaint as necessary to ensure window remains weathertight.

Sash cords hold weights that make double-hung windows easier to open and close. The cords deteriorate with age. When replacing a cord, make sure to replace the cord on the other side of the sash at the same time.

• remove the vertical timber planted guides for the lower (inside) sash then remove the lower sash by tilting inwards
• remove the cords attached to it. If the cords are still attached 
to the weights, hold onto the cords as the weights are lowered 
to the bottom of the cavity 

• remove centre guides (‘parting beads’) and repeat the procedure for the upper sash 

• remove the access covers or pockets to the weight/sash cord cavities (one each side of the frame). These may be difficult to see – they may have many layers of paint or may have been nailed in place 
• prop the top sash open if it is not being removed
• using a bent wire or pliers, take hold of the cords through the opening into the cavity and lift out the weights
• to replace a cord from the upper sash, cut a new cord approximately 150 mm longer than the old cord

• tie a knot at one end of the cord to prevent it from disappearing into the cavity and thread the other end over the pulley and into the cavity. Continue to push the cord into the cavity until it is visible through the access opening. Pull it out through the access opening 
• tie the cord securely to the weight with a figure-8 knot. Cut off the excess to the same length as the old cord 
• repeat for the other side
• press the knotted end of each cord into the recess on each side of the sash and secure in place by nailing the cord to the sash
• reinstall the upper sash and check running position – if the cords are too long, the upper sash will not close to the top or the weights will hit the bottom of their recess
• reinstall the parting bead

• repeat the re-cording procedure for the lower sash and check running position and cord length
• replace the pocket

• replace the vertical timber planted guides for the lower (inside) sash.

• repaint as necessary. 

Weights may be missing. They may have been removed or just fallen off the cords but still be in the cavity. Replacement weights can be found at some building recyclers. The weights to the top sash are often slightly heavier than those for the bottom sash.

An alternative option with double hung windows is to use spiral balances that include helical torsion springs in a tough polymer plastic tube. These fit into the space of the sash where the rope was originally fitted. They can be tensioned to the desired weight to make window lifting easier. Contact a window company for advice.

• pulleys/rollers allow the movement of the sash cords that carry the weights to make opening and closing double-hung windows easier

• remove the window and clean rollers by sanding or wire brushing until they move freely

• if pulleys/rollers have been painted, use paint stripper to remove the paint. Thoroughly clean off the paint and stripper

• if the pulley does not run freely, try applying a penetrating lubricant

• if the pulleys/rollers still do not run freely, replace them

• replace the sash cords if necessary (see above)

• reinstall the window.

• locate and remove nails or fixings to free the window

• repair the holes and coating as necessary.

• remove and replace to give sufficient clearance. Recoat as necessary.