Maintaining your timber sash windows is essential to keeping them in
good shape. It doesn’t take much to look after them and, if done right, your
windows will stay in good condition for years to come. If you don’t maintain
them, the chance of problems arising becomes far more likely – and no one wants
that!
Inspect your Timber Sash Windows
You should be taking a good look at the state of your windows at least
once a year. Look out for signs of decay, cracked paintwork, broken cords and
any other signs of damage. By catching these early on you can deal with them
before any serious issues arise.
Dealing with Decay
Decaying timber is probably the worst problem you’ll face. In most
cases of rot, the affected area – as long as it is only a small section - will
have to be removed and the rest of the window treated. The best thing to do is
make sure this never happens by keeping your timber well-covered in paint and
using anti-rot treatments.
The Little Things
Paying attention to the smaller needs of your windows will do wonders
in the long term. Make sure you wash them regularly with a mild soapy water and
re-paint them every five years. It’s also a good idea to get in to the hard to
reach areas with a wire brush and remove anything that may get in the way of
your windows movement.
Before Painting
Before you paint your timber sash windows, you should prepare the
surface properly. This means washing them down and removing old paintwork
carefully with sandpaper or a pumice. If the old paint is lead based, make sure
to be cautious when removing it. You should also take this opportunity to do
any repairs and apply treatments that will help your windows last longer.
Be Aware of your Environment
Some wooden sash windows will automatically need more care because of
where they’re located. If you live somewhere that often sees heavy rainfall and
high humidity, you’ll need to be more aware of your timber getting damp and
rotting. If you live somewhere with a lot of dust and debris, you should be
cleaning your windows more often to prevent a build-up of dirt.
Not as hard as you thought, right? It really doesn’t take much to
maintain timber sash windows, especially if you keep on the lookout for any small
problems before they become major issues. Once you’ve got into the habit of
properly caring for them, you’ll realise that the small amount of work is worth
it for the quality of the windows.
