Single hung, Double hung and Tilt sash check list

Check list for Single, Double hung, Single, Double hung tilt sashes, or Horizontal windows.
(Refer to the top animated pictures if you are not sure)

1. Check if the window locks properly.
In the closed and locked position try to open the window if it fails to open you should be OK. If it opens try again by making sure the window is fully in the closed and locked position. If it still opens you may have a problem with ether broken locks or it is not shutting down completely in the closed position.
2. Check if the window stays up.
NOTE: Please take great caution in doing this, if the window goes flying back down you could break the glass or worse have it slam back down on your fingers.
In the unlocked possession. Try to lift the window as high as it will go. If it slides back down slightly you may just need a sash balance adjustment (sash balances are the parts that keep the window up).If it slides back about half way down you probably need at least one sash balance replaced. If it slides or falls down completely both of the sash balances are bad, not engaged with the sash, and if it is a tilt sash window could have a slide pin broken.
3.Check the weatherstripping.
Open the window (again taking great caution) look at the left, right, bottom of the window, and the bottom of the sash (operating portion of the window) if it is a horizontal slider look at the top, bottom, left and right.
Is the felt or rubber weather stripping in good shape or falling apart? If falling apart it will not seal well against the wind and weather. The proper fix would be to replace the felt or rubber weatherstripping but this is not always practical. In some cases you would have to remove the sash just to access to install new weatherstripping. The easiest fix is going to your local hardware store and finding something to seal these areas. Try not to get anything to thick or it may hinder locking the window.
4. Check the glass for broken seals/trapped water (this applies to double pane glass only)
This is best checked on a sunshiny day from the inside of the house looking out. Check around the edges, middle or corners of the glass. Is there a white haze, water steamed on the glass, or standing water that will not clean off from ether the inside or the outside of the window? If so you more than likely have moisture glass from a broken seal. This is when water gets caught between the glass with little way for it to escape. It collects inside surface of the window glass and goes though the cycles of collecting on the glass, drying on the glass over and over leaving water deposits in its wake. This gets worse with time and depends on how bad the seal is broken. Please note though, make sure it is not hard water deposits that may have collected from an outside water sprinkler, or spray from your swimming pool the best way to check this is take a razor blade to the outside to the glass it may not come completely off but if some of the deposits should remove this would help eliminate a possible broken seal.
The following is added in for the tilt sash style of the single hung and double hung.
(Refer to the top animated pictures if you are not sure)
5. Check the top for broken tilt latches
(applies to tube type sash balances only)
NOTE: Please take great caution in doing this the window can fall out or in your hands it is best to have a second person helping you on this.
The best way to check if your windows have a tube type sash balance is stand inside the house with the window closed look to the left and right of the window above the sash there should be a metal or plastic tube on both sides.
On the inside of the window unlock and lift the window up about a quarter to halfway up. First pull slightly on the bottom of the sash inward on both the left then the right sides to see if it pulls away from the window. If it does then more than likely the sash pin is broken, the shoe in which in slides in is broken, or both are not in alignment with each other this will prevent the window from staying up or closing properly.
Next, Slightly pull on the top portion of the sash inward on both the left then the right sides. If it comes away from the window look a latch is either broke or not engaging with the jamb of the window. If this is the case look at the latch and compare it to the opposite side of the window to see if it may be broken. If broken it needs to be replaced. If you can find the part remember that there is a left and a right and more than likely the parts are not interchangeable to find out if you have a left or a right hand part view the window from outside of the house if the part is on the left side then it is a left hand and vice-versa.



Check list for Casement.Awning crank out windows
Number 4 viewed above applies to this as well. Check the glass for broken seals/trapped water (this applies to double pane glass only)
1. Checking the crank mechanism
First remove the inner screen if there is one, unlock the window and try to crank out the window and see if it cranks out if it does not then it may be stuck if this is the case try using a stiff putty knife and pry between the sash (operating part of the window) and the frame of the window. If it binds on the bottom or top only then the window could be out of square preventing it from opening properly or even at all. The easy fix on this is to try to shave off the edge of the sash or frame that is binding in the frame with a plane or a chisel if it is a wood window.This is not always the best fix though because some windows such as Andersen have a plastic covering the wood and if you cut into the plastic you could compromise the integrity of the window. The harder most expensive and correct way to fix this problem is remove the window from the opening altogether then resetting it squarely in the opening.
If it is opens without binding try to crank the window out as far as it will go then try cranking in back in all the way. If it stops or does not crank in or out and the crank handle is still turning the crank mechanism is broken and needs to be replaced.
If it cranks in all the way but is hard to crank in or out more than likely the hinges need to be cleaned and lubed. The best lube for the job is Dry silicone spray if you can find it. It is also called food grade silicone spray. The dry version is harder to find but is great stuff as it goes on wet at first but will dry where it is applied. The reasoning for using dry is it will not collect dirt and dust over time like the wet version of silicone spray which will make a mud mixture of lubricant and dirt.
P.S.Avoid spraying WD-40 on the windows. If it reaches the insulated seal it will break down the sealant between the glass causing moisture glass.