Window repairs and fix-up tips
House Fix-up Advertising
Top Fix-up Articles:
Painting creates a new palette
Besides cleaning, painting is one of the least expensive, major fix-up jobs you can do to improve the appearance of your house. If your walls haven’t been painted in the last 2 years, your house will benefit from a new paint job.
A new faucet is better than trying to fix an old one
Kitchens and bathrooms are 2 very important rooms when it comes to selling your house. Even if the budget won't allow you to update these rooms completely, sometimes a new faucet may be just the trick to give that tired kitchen or bath a bit of a lift..
Home >
Fixing broken windows and screens
Broken windows should never be allowed in a house for sale
Steps in repairing stuck windows and replacing glass.
Stuck windows are usually the result of sloppy painting techniques. Also to look for are windows that have been nailed shut. Check that first. If it has been nailed, remove nails carefully. Check both inside and outside.
If joints have been painted, you'll need a few basic tools to continue:
-
Medium Sized Chisel
-
Utility Knife
-
Medium Sized Stiff Putty Knife
-
Possibly a Hatchet
-
Hammer or Mallet
- 2x4 Scrap Piece of Wood
First, score the the painted edges of the sash with the utility knife. Next, place the chisel between the sash (frame that holds the glass panes) and the window frame and gently tap the chisel where the two parts meet. Start at the top and work your way down, then repeat on the other side.
Try opening the window. If it still doesn't budge, you'll need to go outside to gain access to the exterior window. Using the hatchet and hammer, lay the hatchet flat with the sharp edge pointed towards where the bottom of the window sash makes contact with the sill. Take care and don't overdo. Continue this tapping across the bottom. As the hatchet begins to slide under the window a bit, gently try prying up. Don't force it. Continue repeating this procedure across the bottom.
Once you've chipped away the paint from the inside, and used the hatchet to physically separate the window from the base on the outside, take a 2x4 scrap piece of wood, place it flat against the sash, and gently strike wood with the hammer taking care not to strike the glass. Repeat all the way around the window.
If you can't reach the window from the outside, use a putty knife between the sash and window sill and tap gently.
In extreme cases, it may be necessary to lightly sand the tracks with a medium grit sandpaper.
This process should make the window operable once again. With the window in the open position, carefully clean out the tracks where the sash slides. Next, using some wax or silicone spray, rub the tracks.
Once the window is operable, clean it thoroughly and repaint as necessary, taking care not to paint over the joint between the sash and frame.
Wash windows so they sparkle and don't forget to clean the screens with a stiff brush and garden hose.