If you’re aiming to learn how to refinish water damaged window sash, this article is perfectly written for you. With a bit of repair, sanding, and priming, your home will be as good as the feeling the first time you moved in.
Fairly built house parts are inescapable to decline over time. We guess homeowners can agree that the common denominator is water damage. Fortunately, this problem has quite an edge as this project will be easy to do on your own.
In springtime, flooding is every house person’s nemesis. For instance, a basement can fill up water even knee-high. Elevated areas in the house can be affected too.
What Is A Window Sash, Exactly?
The window sash is a window part that serves as the holder for the glass panes and the window frames. Sash provides strength, workability, and appearance of the window.
Most modern designs feature a vertical movable frame; some are the way it is. It enables the window to move upwards and downwards. There are two types for the movable frame — the single hung and double hung window.
Single movable sash windows have a fixed top window sash and an operational bottom window that moves up and down. Meanwhile, double-hung windows have two movable window sashes.
Studies argue that sash window designs dated as early as the Georgian period. Although the origin of window sashes is a clash of conjectures between cultures, it is clear that it evolved from a simple idea.
5 Steps To Revamp Your Water Damaged Window Sash
Step #1. Take out the sash
Window sash repairs are common and breezy to do. Note that modern sashes are typically made from wood. Natural materials like wood are extremely permeable which means it is prone to soaking.
First, you must take out the rotten sash. Use a flat pry bar to pry off the lower part.
Remove any chain, nail, or glue exposed. Next, pull off any splinters.
Next, proceed to the upper part and pull off the sashes. If you want to discard them right away, put them in a trash bag.
On the other hand, recycling can be an option. You can reuse them and do crafts.
Step #2. Mind the glass
Be cautious in executing this step. Now that the glass is bare, it can shatter anytime if you go reckless.
The glass was out of the window frame from the first step. In this next step, you need to pluck out the remaining glaze compound. We are now talking about the hardened putty from the sashes.
Glaze compound is a caulking compound used for windows to stay in place. Window glasses can be shaky naturally. After freeing the glass, it’s better to label the edges so you won’t be confused about replacing the new sash.
Step #3. Reinforce the edges
Archaic pieces of furniture often accompany old homes. Once you have taken out residual substance, the following action should be reinforcing the glasses’ edges.
Remember the caulking compound from the last step? We’ll be using that, except we will put on a new one.
Caulking compounds are substances of almost putty-like consistency used to seal openings in buildings, doors, and, you guessed it — windows. Its capacity can last up to a maximum of 30 years.
Speaking of water damage, the good note is glazing compound, or caulking is water-resistant. So, say hi to a sturdier window sash.
Step #4. Replace the sash
Before you do any replacement, make sure that you measured the window sash and joints. This will help you lessen the costs of buying raw materials.
You finished applying the necessary compound. Now you need to put insulation between the glass and the sash. This helps the window absorb less humid air, hence less foggy windows.
Next, put window sashes and brackets. Use your power tools and be careful. Other parts such as sash stops should be installed as well.
Lastly, sand the new sash with an 80-grit sanding machine or local sandpaper.
Step #5. Apply the primer
Generally, wood requires at least 2-3 coats of priming agent. Apply the primer with a moderate-sized brush.
It would be best if you painted every corner of the sash. Let it cure for about 24 hours and dry it in a well-ventilated area.
For the window glass, you can thermoform polycarbonate sheets to the surface. Polycarbonate (PC) is used for thermal control and has excellent heat resistance.
Can Insurance Cover These Repairs?
Personal lifestyles often cause indoor humidity levels. However, if worst storms may wreak havoc on your home, there’s a chance an insurance policy could cover these kinds of refinishing.
Homeowner insurance has a ton of requirements to consider. Some of these include the time when the damage was noticed and the window age.
Conclusion
Weatherstripping is often a problem for homeowners. They create molds that infiltrate the insides of the window. Metal covers could become rusty too.
Prevent water damage by taking a hint of the window sash. Assure that insulation, sash stops, window covers, and wood epoxy are correctly installed.
So, the next time your window sash comes to a ruined end, proceed to follow the steps on how to refinish water damaged window sash.