Consider treating yours well, and your sash windows will stick around for a good few decades. A little spend on annual maintenance avoids the major headaches that most homeowners fear, such as stiff sashes; rattles; draughts and horror of horrors – rotten timber.
Here is a basic annual sash window maintenance routine that you can do yourself – ideally in the Spring or early-Summer months when the weather is dry. For Sash Window Repair, contact https://www.sashwindowpreservation.co.uk/services/sash-window-repair
1) Check the paintwork
Watch out for wood that is peeling, cracking or bare (if it’s the ledge and lower sections where water lingers). Re-painting sooner is a lot cheaper than replacing rot down the line.
2) Inspect for soft spots
Push the timber around the sill, bottom rail and frame. If the answer is mush, or crumbling, have it looked at before the rot extends.
3) Clear the tracks and assembly rails
If you have windows that stick, it may be due to dust and paint build-up. A simple cleaning keeps the sashes gliding easily and extends their life.
4) Test how the sashes move
Exercise every sash fully open and closed. Cords or balances – Cords are supposed to keep the balance from dropping, so if it drops, slams shut, or won’t stay open; fix the cords.
5) Look for draughts or rattling
On a windy day, run your hand around the sides to see if there is any cool air there. You are likely also to have damaged draught-proofing strips and beads that need to be replaced whilst keeping the appearance of your windows intact.
6) Putty and glazing
Cracked putty or loose panes allow water inside and will keep the edges of the timber wet, small repairs here could save you from bigger timber rot later.
7) Check locks and security
Hooks, eye stops and sash locks should function properly. Getting fittings tight before they have a chance to fail.