Sash window repairs London – we offer great tips on who to trust, and if your keen on DIY how to do it yourself. Firstly it’s important to understand the condition of your windows. If we cannot diagnose the problem, we cannot fit it! Above is an example of a window that requires sash window repairs.
Being an experienced sash window specialist this diagnosis would be easy. To bring this sash window up to good structural standards would require a sill front with a splice on the front cheek and stiles. We can see on the left hand side the parting bead has been broken off and is missing down to the sill. This is highly likely that an amateur broke off the rotten section, filled and painted over. This is a huge warning sign for any sash window specialist because the new concern is what else has been covered up. The likely full extent of the damage is a new sill, new sash stiles, the lower sash will need re wedging and the joints glued with an epoxy resin. We will also need to remove the filler placed under the sill. This has been filled where rot once was and the installer did not thoroughly remove the rot and the consequences of doing a poor job can now been seen, probably just twelve months after the repairs! A great example of sash window refurbishment can be seen on this post.
Sash window repairs London specialists would gently take off the staff bead, remove the lower sash, cut the sill away splice out the stiles and then splice out the stiles at 90 degrees so that new fresh timber can be cut and attached neatly with a crisp bond. Normally sash window repairs of this nature will be carried out using Douglas Fir. It is quite likely that water ingress under the sill will have made the wall damp, and blown plaster internally. This must also be dried out, but before doing so it is wise to pour in some quality dry rot treatment. Theres a fair chance after repair spores will be left behind and this will be the start of the dreaded dry rot, which will not only damage window, but if left long enough can run through the wall and into the beams, literally destroying the home! Now don’t panic this is all treatable and takes a long time. The point is not to let this occur. If your concerned that your windows may be in this kind of condition it would be wise to contact a London sash window company expert to at least survey the issue as they’ll be able to indicate the viability or repairing or replacing your sash windows. There is normally no cost for an estimate and depending on how advanced the rot, would certainly be worth while consulting an expert to make sure the window is repairable and no damage to the surround has occurred. It’s always better to get more than one opinion so feel free to contact us as well because we will be glad to manage the sash window repairs project for you, insuring quality, and a lasting job the first time.
I had my windows refurbished by London Sash Window Repairs Ltd and I have to say for the price I am really happy. I got three quotes and this was the cheapest. Normally I ignore the cheapest but the guy James who came round made me feel really comfortable and I felt like maybe they under quoted me by accident so I went with it. Turns out this is the standard pricing and finish. So pleased thanks for the recommendations guys I won’t forget. Tina Parker, Clapham Common.
Tina,
This is the kind of review that makes it all worthwhile for me. We have set pricing and that’s why we contract in these guys because they are no nonsense and if there is a problem they’ll make sure the client is in the know. So glad you had a positive experience between ourselves and London Sash Window Repairs Ltd.
I need to cut my own sill out, I was wondering what do you think about using softwood or hardwood as there is a great deal of conflicting information out there. Some companies are recommending that you splice the sill out entirely also. Could you please clear this up and I could also send you a picture because it really does seem like case by case and casting a professional eyes over the project? If you didn’t mind I’d be super grateful?
Hi Tom,
I’ll clear this up for you in a few short sentences. Firstly remove as little material as is possible. However if the half the front of the sill needs to be spliced out then do not waste time , cut the whole half of the lower sill out entirely. I hope that makes sense. If there is then some decay on the upper section, in terms of time it is wise to entirely replace the sill. If for example the sill only needs a little work in the corners then resin repair a better option. If I think about the cost of soft vs hardwood sill, and actually the ease in which softwood can be worked. I would probably replace in softwood knowing that my maintenance each year will be tip top and therefore no problem worrying about further decay. Does this help?