Sunday, October 27, 2013

Tips For Checking Sash Windows When Procuring A Home


By Jodie Morris Blenheim


Sash windows can be a perfect look for any home. Therefore, you have to be extra careful when procuring your units to ensure that you maintain this appearance. This will ascertain that you have a strong and highly efficient unit.

Ensure that the cords are present. Try pulling them. You should feel some weight at the end if they are in good condition. If they are not, then they need replacing. This is the advice property agents will give. This may require that you take off the closing beads and fix them again. It is not much work, but it is quite fiddly.

Open the unit and check it stays up. It should not slip down as this should be a sign that it has been re-glazed using a glass that is thicker than the original. During home improvement, it is necessary to maintain the initial weight so that it can counter balance the window. You should always note this when carrying out repairs.

Check for any revealing signs of condensation. This is common with single-glazed than double-glazed units. Any problems need to be corrected early enough to avoid further compression. Any looseness may cause water or cold to pass through and hence reduce the efficiency of the unit. This means that you will spend more on energy.

Ensure the ironmongery is all present. You should test the unit if it is free running and has not been painted while shut. Poor maintenance may cause wooden windows to get loose and interfere with the catches. Be sure that they have not been adjusted using cardboard, lolly sticks, or any other solutions.

Have a look at the sill, the frame and the painting. You should be able to notice signs of decay as a result of poor maintenance. Jab a screwdriver or a key into the wood. If there is wet rot, then it will need to be cut out and replaced. Check out for metal L brackets on the edges and for scarfed-in pieces of timber.

Confirm if the glazing is beyond 600 mm. These days, there are safety standards and the glass can be hardened as well. It is advisable for you to either substitute the pane with a new one or add fall protection on the house. You can modify the requirements depending on your tastes and needs.

Ensure the glass is not cracked. Any breakages should be removed and replaced. Check that the putty is firmly fixed as well. Any repairs on these areas may require DIY decorating on the externals. Remember to follow the local building regulations when replacing any units. This will be difficult when dealing with an old frame that was installed before these regulations came in place.

When carrying out repairs on sash windows, remember to set aside enough money, which will depend on size and location. You should also check if you require any planning consent from the authorities. Overall, you should be certain that everything is in place before you make your purchase.




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