Sunday, July 28, 2013

Secrets For Checking Sash Windows When Buying A House

By Francis Caldwell


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.

Check out the sills, the painting and the frame. You will be in a position notice deterioration caused by poor maintenance. You can insert a key or a screwdriver inside the wood. If it comes out with wet rot, then you will have to cut it out and replace it. Look for the metal L brackets on its boundaries and for any timber pieces that were scarfed in.

Ensure the glazing is above 600 mm. Nowadays, there are safety requirements and the glass may be toughened as well, unlike in an old house. Experts strongly recommend that you add fall protection or change the pane. You can also adjust the requirements to suit your needs and taste, but remember to stick stay the federal guidelines.

Check for cracks. It is necessary for any breakage to be repaired before you buy the house. Do not take anything for granted because you may have to use a lot of money later on for maintenance. Remember that such upkeep will also entail DIY decorating for the external parts. This may not be easy on old units.

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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