Dealing With Stuck Windows And Doors
here are few things more annoying than stuck windows or doors. Especially if you are in a hurry, you don't want to be struggling with a door to get going
Windows
There are many reasons a window may stick. Windows are usually made of wood and wood can expand or contract. Parts of a window may have been painted over that need to move, or sometimes the surfaces stick together. All of these problems can be solved.
-If a joint is painted over, cut the paint with a putty knife tool made for this purpose called a window zipper. Hold the blade against the sash and push the edge into the joint and pull it along.
-If there is paint build up from years of painting over, use a paint scraper to remove the excess paint from the window stop, parting strip and blind stop, all the while raising and lowering the sash. If it is a lower sash, you can remove the sash and scrape out the edges facing the window. As a final desperate measure, you can remove both sashes and strip all of the paint off and repaint and reinstall.
-If there is too much friction, lubricate the sash channels with wax or talcum powder. This prevents painted surfaces from sticking together. If weather stripping is blocking the channel, use a hammer to flatten the stripping.
-If the window is stuck for no apparent reason, a sharp rap to the center rail near the lock may loosen what is stuck. Use the palm of your hand or a rubber mallet.
-If you are losing heat in addition to having stuck windows, it may be worth the effort to replace the friction channels. Remove the sashes, weights and pulleys, and, using a rod or stick, push fiberglass into the openings for the weight cavities. With a hammer and chisel, notch the ends of the top parting strip to create new channels, and then replace the sashes in the window frame between the new channels. Tilt the assembly back into the opening and then reinstall the interior stops and adjust the tension. If the window is too loose, hammer a wood block against the stop at the nails to increase tension. Nail in additional nails when the tension is just right.
Doors
Usually door stick for the same reasons that windows do, but hinges may add some new reasons and complications.
-If the door is rubbing against the door jamb on the hinge side, shim the hinges out by unscrewing the hinge and placing a piece of cardboard behind it. If the door is rubbing against the door jamb on the other side, you may have to plane the door down. Mark the spot where it is rubbing and take the door down. Lay the door down and plane in the appropriate spot.
-If the hinge screws are loose, wedge the door open and remove the screws. Fold back the hinge and fit small wood pieces into the holes. Add glue and plane until the hole is filled and flush, then drill in new screws.
-If the door stop is binding on the hinge side of a door, pry off the stop. Then draw a line where the door closes and reposition the stop to the new position.
-If the latch and strike are out of alignment (usually because of settling of the house), you will have to adjust the strike plate. If it is too far, shim it with cardboard; if it is too close, remove the strike plate, chisel out a new mortise and drill new holes and replace the strike. You may have to fill the old mortise hole and sand it down.
Related Tags: doors, window
Kurt Schefken continually writes detailed papers on areas similar to best miter saws and woodworking saws. His abstracts on best table saws are published on his site . Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Lawn Mowers Electric Vs Petrol - Which Is Better?
When searching for the perfect lawn mower, many homeowners find themselves wondering which kind is b - Popular Types Of Mattresses
It is needless to describe the utility of mattresses for having a sound night's sleep; bed mattresse - Furniture Sofa Legs - Making The Old Sofa New Again
Home decorators get excited when confronted with an old sofa with a lot of potential. For those who - Finding The Right Granite For Your Home
The massive amount of options that are available can make choosing the right granite countertop for - The Truth About Black Mold Toxicity
The term "toxic mold" is not accurate. While certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce t - Bunk Beds For Older Individuals - Are They Genuinely Worthwhile Acquiring?
Typically people think it a little random when adults get to sleep in loft beds. Nonetheless, in the - Kitchen Countertop Ideas: Ceramic And Granite
Ceramic tiles for kitchen countertops have become a must have in home buyers' kitchens.Whether you p - Why Front Door Security Is Important
It is an important aspect to realize the fact that even by having a fully fledged home security syst - Use Fire Seals On Fire Doors And Save Lives
Basically, a fire door is designed to save lives. This is the reason why there is such a big require - The Importance Of Front Door Security
The importance of your home's security hinges upon your door's quality and the lock system. For that
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Learn About The Basics of Basement Dehumidifier
Ever wonder how people keep their basement dry? Let me tell you a little secret. With proper air con - Cable Lock Foundation Repair
Foundation repairs are the most expensive, and sometimes the hardest type of damage to detect. This - What's Covering Your Windows?
At one time, curtain rods were used for only one purpose – hanging curtains. Today they are mu - Wooden Railings and Their Many Uses
Wooden railings remain one of the most common types of railings throughout the country. They not onl - Feng Shui To Greater Luck In This New Year
There are at least six ways to learn Feng Shui Luck. First you must learn and understand the very b - Adding A Pleasant Marble Coffee Table To Your Home
Usually, the couch or entertainment center get most of the attention in one's house, but there is no - Scroll Saw Basics
Scroll Saw Basics by Lee Bowman If you are wanting to try your hand at scroll work, a - How To Clean Wood Furniture
A room full of beautiful wood furniture brings warmth and elegance to any room, however, it's inevit - Welding And Metalwork: Strength And Function, Part 2
Metalwork is the art of making various objects out of metal. Most metalworkers are also called machi - The Bahamas Hurricane Shutter
Every year, hurricanes are formed in the ocean and wreak havoc when reaching land. This usually occu