My Sash window rope broke.

[Jetl3on]

The rope has broken on my sash window, wondered if this is a DIY job or I have call in the Sash Man? Is there a link somewhere advising on how to replace ropes, getting into the box to re-attach the weights.

[Dupont666]

Jetl3on said:

The rope has broken on my sash window, wondered if this is a DIY job or I have call in the Sash Man? Is there a link somewhere advising on how to replace ropes, getting into the box to re-attach the weights.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=How+to+Replace+Broken+Window+Sash+Cords

HTH

[t0ny99]

It's really very straightforward. I have stripped and rebuilt all but one of the original timber sash windows and boxes in our house - working on the last one right now.

Marginally easier if it's the lower sash, but easily done by a DIYer.

[IanMorewood]

Prise side box apart (broken cord side), take out weight, tie new cord in place, thread through pulley, nail to sash window, rebuild box section.

[Jetl3on]

IanMorewood said:

Prise side box apart (broken cord side), take out weight, tie new cord in place, thread through pulley, nail to sash window, rebuild box section.

The thing I cant work out is where the opening to the side box is, it has been painted over with no indentations to indicate its location.

And do i need to remove the window entirely to do this or just prop it up?

[Jetl3on]

Dupont666 said:

Jetl3on said:

The rope has broken on my sash window, wondered if this is a DIY job or I have call in the Sash Man? Is there a link somewhere advising on how to replace ropes, getting into the box to re-attach the weights.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=How+to+Replace+Broken+Window+Sash+Cords

HTH

This is a very good tutorial, thanks.

[t0ny99]

Jetl3on said:

IanMorewood said:

Prise side box apart (broken cord side), take out weight, tie new cord in place, thread through pulley, nail to sash window, rebuild box section.

The thing I cant work out is where the opening to the side box is, it has been painted over with no indentations to indicate its location.

And do i need to remove the window entirely to do this or just prop it up?

Prise off the staff beads al round, swing the window in, you should see the 'panel' in the sash box. Drop new sash cord over the pulley, and into the box and attach to the weight, hoist to the top and wedge the pulley. Nail cord to the groove in the sash (sash fully down), remembering that the first nail must be a couple of inches BELOW where the pulley will be when the sash is in the fully 'up' position.

Replace staff bead.

It your problem is with the upper sash, you'll need to swing the lower one out of the way and remove the parting bead in order to get access. In which case, replace ALL the sash cords and save future grief.

[robinhood21]

Thread the cord over the pulley? No, no, no! One needs to make a 'mouse' first. Take a length of string slightly longer than twice the length of the sash-cord needed. Tie a small amount of lead, or a bent nail to one end of the string; tie other end to sash-cord, then thread nail/lead over pulley and the weight of nail/lead should be weight enough to drop down inside box and be retrieved through weight opening.

Then pull cord through and attatch to weight. Have had my 'mouse' over thirty years now! Oh, and mouse has to be kept in an old baccy tin, along with an old candle for waxing the sides of the sash before re-fixing.

[t0ny99]

robinhood21 said:

Thread the cord over the pulley? No, no, no! One needs to make a 'mouse' first. Take a length of string slightly longer than twice the length of the sash-cord needed. Tie a small amount of lead, or a bent nail to one end of the string; tie other end to sash-cord, then thread nail/lead over pulley and the weight of nail/lead should be weight enough to drop down inside box and be retrieved through weight opening.

Then pull cord through and attatch to weight. Have had my 'mouse' over thirty years now! Oh, and mouse has to be kept in an old baccy tin, along with an old candle for waxing the sides of the sash before re-fixing.

Wood screw and garden twine for me...but I was saving typing out every last detail

Oh, and good reminder about the candle wax too!

[robinhood21]

t0ny99 said:

Wood screw and garden twine for me...but I was saving typing out every last detail

Oh, and good reminder about the candle wax too!

I thought as much. I just wanted to get the mouse in; long live the mouse.

Another tip for those contemplating SC renewal for the first time: Measure and make a couple of holes, then push nails through the sash-cord before attempting to get everything in place for re-fixing. It can be a tad on the awkward side trying to hold the sash in place, pull the cord down and nail the cord on to the sash with one hand.

[Jetl3on]

robinhood21 said:

t0ny99 said:

Wood screw and garden twine for me...but I was saving typing out every last detail

Oh, and good reminder about the candle wax too!

I thought as much. I just wanted to get the mouse in; long live the mouse.

Another tip for those contemplating SC renewal for the first time: Measure and make a couple of holes, then push nails through the sash-cord before attempting to get everything in place for re-fixing. It can be a tad on the awkward side trying to hold the sash in place, pull the cord down and nail the cord on to the sash with one hand.

Duly noted, thank you.