Double-hung windows slide up and down in their sash. Sometimes cleaning the windows or simply using them normally can shift the sash slightly out of alignment. This causes the window to “drop.” In other words, the top window no longer stays up in the sash, and instead starts to slide downward. It may also not lock properly. Many people believe that if their double-hung window drops, they need to have it replaced. However, in many cases, you can fix the dropped window in a few steps. Follow these steps for fixing a window in your Indianapolis home.
You’ll start by removing the window sash from the frame. This will allow you to have enough space to make the adjustments. To remove the sash, tilt it inward, just like you would if you were going to clean it. Then, pull gently on the bottom of the sash; it should release from the frame, allowing you to pull it out and lay it carefully on the floor.
Now that the sash is out of its frame, it’s time to adjust the sash balance so that your Dayton windows don’t sag anymore. Take a flathead screwdriver, and locate the sash balance inside the window frame. It is typically made from metal, and it has a groove shaped like a “U”. Insert the screwdriver into the U, and turn it towards you 90 degrees. The “U” should now look like a “C”. The balance is now unlocked.
The next step for fixing your window is sliding the sash balance up about 3 inches. Make sure you keep applying tension to it; it is spring loaded and will slide back down if you let go completely. Once it is raised about 3 inches, turn it back into the locked “U” position. Now you can safely remove the screwdriver, and the balance should stay where you placed it.
The next step in fixing your window in your Indianapolis home is putting the sash back into place. Hold the window sash at an angle in front of you, and position the bottom of it in the bottom of the window frame. Then, slowly tilt it upwards into the closed position. It should snap back into place–just as it does after you tilt it out to clean it. You should hear a click when the window locks back into place.
At this point, your sash should be balanced again, and the window should not drop when you let it sit. Try opening and closing it a few times to verify that it’s operating properly. It should slide up and down smoothly, and when you open it outwards as if to clean it, the window should snap right back into place afterwards without you having to apply a lot of pressure.
In rare cases, when your window drops, the issue might not be unbalanced sashes, but rather that the sash balance or another component of the window frame has actually broken. In this case, fixing a window yourself is not usually an option. However, window professionals, like those at Renewal By Andersen, should be able to guide you in selecting the best replacement window for your Indianapolis home. Contact Renewal by Andersen to learn more about our services and to schedule your free, in-home consultation today.
