How to replace springs in window that falls down

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gsteliga
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:32 am

How to replace springs in window that falls down

#1 Post by gsteliga »

We have a house that three double hung windows have the top window that will not stay up. The spring is broken in the sash and we cannot get at it without removing the window. Is there anything we can do to fix this window without replacing it?

Thank you.

Greg
Posts: 33
Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2004 10:00 am

#2 Post by Greg »

You can just replace the balance tubes without replacing the whole window. Call a local glass shop that deals with your type of window (wood, vinyl, composite). It would help them if you knew the manufacturer. Good luck!

tru_blue
Posts: 223
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2006 2:02 am

Spring replacements

#3 Post by tru_blue »

No matter what, you have to at least remove the sash to repair the defective spring. If you can discern the brand of the windows, you can hopefully get replacement parts from that company or one of its distributors. If you have generic non-tilt wood windows that had a simple spring (approx. 1/2" in diameter by about 12" long), there is a product you can get to not only replace the spring, but also improve the performance of the existing windows. It's a replacement sash liner (called "Window Fixer") from Quaker City Manufacturing. You pull out the top and bottom sashes, put the sashes in the left & right tracks (made in aluminum or vinyl), and insert the tracks into the sash opening. They hold up the sashes, as well as gripping them to make them a bit more airtight. My observation is that they don't work miracles in terms of air infiltration, but they do hold the window up as needed. Window Fixer replacement tracks (or liners, or channels - whatever you want to call them) come in about 12 different lengths, cost about $20-$40/pair, and can be found in some hardware stores. Someone recently mentioned Home Depot too but I've never seen them there. Curiously, they don't show up on a Google search. The manufacturer:

Quaker City Manufacturing Company
116 Darby Commons
Folcroft, PA 19032
Phone: 610-586-4770
Fax: 610-586-4762

Another possibility is Blaine Window Hardware. They've offered obsolete, hard-to-find and current window hardware parts for over 50 years. Check them out if you need not a spring only but a whole spring/balance assembly (select "tube balance" or "spring balance" at their website - they have a lot of choices). I do not believe they offer a simple spring-only though.

http://www.blainewindow.com

Happy hunting!

tru_blue
Posts: 223
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2006 2:02 am

Re: How to replace springs in window that falls down

#4 Post by tru_blue »

gsteliga wrote:Is there anything we can do to fix this window without replacing it?
One more thought. If your question was intended to ask "Is there a fix without temporarily removing the sash?", there is a fix for that, although not ideal. You could slip a 5" x 1-3/8" metal tension bar between the sash and frame, which would cause enough tension to prevent the sashes from sliding down like a guillotine. About $4. You can see a diagram of this ("tension spring") at
http://www.ultrahardware.com/40910_C/40 ... 10_101.pdf

I usually see this only at income properties, but it is a cheap fix and just may do the job. Available at various hardware stores.

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