EASY STEPS TO WINDOW REPAIRS

Gather your supplies • Sash cords to match existing (8mm is a common size)

You’ll also need Utility knife; paint scraper; chisel; pincers; 30mm screws; pliers; machine oil; string; drill; 40mm nails; hammer; pu y; gap filler; paintbrush; undercoat; paint to match window

Here’s how

STEP 1 Using a sharp utility knife, cut the paint between stop bead on inside of window and the surrounding frame.

STEP 2 Starting at centre, use a paint scraper to prise stop bead away from frame.

STEP 3 Keep working your way up and down, switching to a sturdier tool such as a chisel. Carefully bend the bead in the middle to let you remove it from mitred joins at the top and bo om. Use pincers to remove nails from bead or the window.

STEP 4 Remove stop bead from the other side, then remove the lower sash. If only one cord is broken, cut the other one.

STEP 5 Starting from the bo om, use your knife, scraper and chisel to loosen, and carefully pry off the parting beads that separate the 2 sashes. If the upper sash requires repair, totally remove the beads. If only the lower sash needs repair, just loosen them.

STEP 6 Cut paint around the pocket covers, which are on the insides of the window frame and provide access to the weights. To remove, temporarily put a screw in the pocket cover, then pull out using pliers.

STEP 7 Remove weights from inside the pockets. Take note of which weight goes where, as there are different sizes. Remove old sash cord from weights and the grooves in the sash.

STEP 8 Check that pulleys at top of window turn freely. Oil lightly. Tie a screw to string, with other end tied to new sash cord. Feed the screw through the pulley, then down and out through the pocket opening, pulling sash cord through. Repeat on other side.

STEP 9 Remove string and a ach cords to weights, using a figure of eight knot. Reinsert weights in pockets.

STEP 10 Replace pocket covers then reposition parting beads. If you’re replacing the cord on the upper sash, complete Steps 11 and 12 on this sash before reinstalling the parting beads and pocket covers.

STEP 11 Pull weights to top

of pocket and let them drop about 10mm. Temporarily nail through cords into window to hold in place. STEP 12 Sit sash on sill and insert cord into grooves. Screw through cord into sash to hold it in place.

Make sure top-most screws are far enough down the window they won’t hit the pulleys when the sash is up. STEP 13 Put sash back in place and test a few times to ensure it moves freely. Spring stop beads back in place and nail. Pu y nail holes and fill gaps between bead and window. Touch up paintwork on window.

STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5 STEP 6 STEP 7 STEP 8 STEP 9 STEP 12