How To Replace Aluminium Window Seals

How to Repair Old Windows

Updated: Aug. 27, 2019

Don't supervene upon casement windows—repair them

FH08SEP_WINNEW_01-2 Family Handyman

Learn how to ready common casement window problems. Free up a sticking window, replace a cleaved creepo operator or sagging hinge, even replace an entire sash. Repairs are unproblematic, and a lot cheaper than replacing the whole window.

Overview

If you're thinking nigh replacing your casement windows considering they're drafty, fogged upwardly or only difficult to open up, consider this: You tin can fix almost of the problems yourself for a fraction of the price of new windows—and it won't take you more than an 60 minutes or ii per window.

In this story, we'll walk you through the fixes for the about common casement window problems. (Casement windows are the type that swing like doors.) You won't need any specialty tools, and the materials are bachelor from most window manufacturers or online window supply companies.

Although your windows may look different from the ones shown here, the techniques for removing the sash and fixing problems are similar.

Effigy A: Casement Window Operation

When you turn the handle, the operator moves the creepo arm and the split arm operator. The dissever arm operator and then opens the window sash. Casement window operators come in several styles. They may expect complex, simply they're easy to disconnect, remove and replace.

Fix a stripped crank handle

File the shaft

File a flat spot on the operator shaft, and then insert a longer setscrew into the handle. The apartment side lets the setscrew lock onto the shaft.

Window handle

Supercede the original setscrew with a longer one.

If you plough your window handle and nothing happens, the gears on your handle, crank operator shaft or both are probably stripped. Take off the handle and look for signs of wear. If the teeth are worn, replace the handle (available from manufacturers, window dealers, or search online for "window replacement parts"). If the shaft is worn, you tin can replace the whole operator (meet the side by side set up). Merely here's a home remedy to try first.

Beginning past backing out the setscrew to remove the handle (some newer handles don't have setscrews and simply pull off—and this prepare won't work). If you accept a folding handle, mark where the setscrew is on the operator shaft when the window is airtight and the handle is folded up. Remove the handle and file the shaft so the setscrew can lock onto the shaft (photo). The metal is tough; it'll accept near fifteen minutes to go a apartment side. Or apply a rotary tool with a grinder bit to speed up the task. Vacuum the shavings out of the operator so they won't harm the moving parts.

Reattach the handle with a longer setscrew (sold at hardware stores). If you open and close the window a lot, this prepare may not hold upwardly in the long run.

Supercede a stubborn crank operator

Photo 1: Pop out the crank arm

Open the window until the crank arm bushing is aligned with the guide rail notch. Push down on the arm to pop the bushing out of the runway.

Photo 2: Pry off split arm operator

Slide dorsum the retainer clip on the arm and pry the arm off the stud on the sash bracket with a screwdriver.

Photo iii: Remove creepo operator

Elevator off the casement cover to expose the crank operator. Remove the screws, have out the crank operator and supervene upon it.

If the splines on the crank operator shaft are worn or broken off, the gears don't turn easily or at all, then it's time to replace the crank operator.

Don't worry if you tin can't find the brand, model or series number of the crank operator. You only need a picture. Snap a digital photo, email it to a window replacement parts visitor and the company volition sell you lot a new ane. Or mail service the company a print photo. You tin can also wait at online catalogs at the replacement parts companies to find an operator that matches yours.

To replace the operator, first take the crank arm off the sash. About crank artillery slip out of a notch on the guide track on the sash (Photo 1). Others are pried off with a flathead screwdriver, or a channel is unscrewed from along the lesser of the sash. If the operator besides contains a split arm operator, unhook that, likewise (Photo 2).

Slide or pry off the operator embrace. If you have a removable cover, cutting along the casement cover with a utility knife to slice through any paint or stain that seals it on the window jamb. Remove the trim screws forth the tiptop of the casement comprehend. Gently pry the comprehend loose (Photograph iii). Be conscientious—the comprehend tin can hands interruption! Unscrew the crank operator. Set the new operator in place, aligning it with the existing spiral holes, and spiral it to the jamb. If the comprehend isn't removable, crank operator screws will be accessible on the exterior of the window.

Ready a sticking window

Photo i: Disconnect the arms

Open the sash and disconnect the creepo arm. Pry the split arm operator off the top and the lesser of the sash with a screwdriver (the hinge arms easily pop off).

Photo 2: Slide the hinge shoe out

Slide the hinge shoes out of the hinge channels at the top and lesser of the window to remove the sash.

Photograph 3: Drill new holes

Set the hinge aqueduct in place, slightly over from its onetime location. Drill new holes, and then spiral it to the jamb.

If you have a window that drags against the frame when you open up it, shut the window and examine it from the exterior. The sash should fit squarely and exist centered in the frame. If not, you tin adjust the position of the sash past slightly moving the hinge channel. (If the window is centered and square just still drags, see the next set.)

Y'all tin can movement the channel at the summit or the bottom of the window, depending on where the sash is dragging (just don't move both channels). Starting time by taking out the sash (Photos ane and ii). If the hinge arm is screwed to the sash, run across 'Replace a fogged sash' below.

Mark the swivel channel location on the frame, so unscrew the channel. Make full the screw holes with epoxy (for vinyl windows) or wood filler (for wood windows). Filling the holes keeps the screws from realigning with their erstwhile locations when you reinstall the channel. Scrape the filled holes smooth before the epoxy sets. Place the channel back on the jamb, about 1/8 in. over from the mark (motion the channel away from the side of the sash that's dragging), drill ane/8-in. airplane pilot holes and so reinstall information technology (Photograph 3).

Replace a sagging hinge

Fasten the new hinge

Align the new hinge arm with the spiral holes and spike it into place. If the screw holes are stripped out, fill up them with toothpicks dipped in wood glue, let the gum dry out, and then cut the toothpicks flush.

Over fourth dimension, hinge arms that back up heavy windows can starting time to sag, causing the sash to hit the frame in the lower corner that's contrary the swivel. Kickoff make sure the window sash is square and centered in the window opening. If it's not, meet the previous fix. To eliminate drag in a window that fits squarely, supplant the hinge artillery at the top and the bottom of the window. You lot tin purchase the hinges at window hardware supply stores.

Remove the sash from the window. The hinge arms are located near a corner or in the heart of the window frame. Unscrew the hinge artillery from the window, and so install the new ones in the same locations.

Seal a drafty window: Weather stripping casement windows

Remove weather stripping

Piece of work the old atmospheric condition strip out of the groove gently to avert tearing information technology and leaving the spline stuck in the groove.

Weather stripping frequently becomes loose, worn or distorted when the sash drags or when the strip gets gummy and attaches itself to the frame, then pulls loose when the sash is opened. Windows have weather strip on the sash, frame or both. Regardless of its location, the steps for removing and replacing information technology are the same. Conditions stripping is available from your window manufacturer. The window brand and glass manufacturer date are etched in the corner of the glass or in the aluminum spacer betwixt the glass panes. You'll besides need the elevation and width of your sash (take these measurements yourself).

If the conditions strip is in good shape and loose in but a few places, like the corners, apply a dab of polyurethane sealant (sold at hardware stores) to the groove and press the weather strip into identify. Otherwise, replace the unabridged weather strip. First remove the sash and fix it on a piece of work surface and so you can access all four sides. If the weather strip is i continuous slice, cut it autonomously at the corners with a utility knife.

Starting at a corner, pull the weather condition strip loose from the sash. If the spline tears off and remains stuck in the groove, make a hook from stiff wire to dig it out.

Work the new weather condition strip into the groove, starting at a corner. You'll hear it click as the strip slides into the groove.

If the window is stuck shut, it'southward likely that the conditions strip is sticking. Later y'all muscle it open up, spray silicone lubricant on a rag and wipe information technology on the atmospheric condition stripping. Don't use oily lubricants; they attract dust.

Supplant a fogged sash

Photo 1: Remove the sash

Take off the sash by removing the screws in the channel and the hinge arms. And so slide the sash off the hinge arms.

Photo 2: Attach the new sash

Align the sash lip with the hinge arms, then slide the sash onto the hinges. Insert screws to fasten the sash in place.

If you have broken glass or fogging (condensation betwixt the glass panes), y'all'll have to replace the drinking glass or the entire sash. If the sash is in expert shape (not warped or cracked), you tin can sometimes supplant merely the glass. Call your window manufacturer to come across whether drinking glass replacement is an option and if a fogged window is covered under your warranty. You'll need the information that'southward etched into the corner of the drinking glass and the sash dimensions.

Contact a glass repair specialist to have only the glass replaced (look under "Glass Repair" in the xanthous pages or search online). Or yous tin supersede the sash yourself and relieve some of the cost. Guild information technology through the manufacturer.

To replace the sash, get-go remove the sometime one. You take this sash off past removing the hinge screws (Photo 1). For sashes that slide out, encounter 'Fix a sticking window' above. Remove any hardware from the damaged sash and install it on the new sash (this sash doesn't require any hardware).

Install the new sash past sliding it onto the swivel arms, then screw it to the hinges (Photograph 2).

Required Tools for this Project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up earlier you start—you'll save time and frustration.

Required Materials for this Project

Avoid final-minute shopping trips by having all your materials set ahead of time. Here's a list.

Originally Published: August 27, 2019

Source: https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-repair-old-windows/

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