sash windows - damage caused by balance screw (inc. photo)

[andyMBW]

Hello everyone,
First post on here - what a fantastic resource

just wondered if anyone could advise me regarding some new sashes we've just had made.

When the carpenter fitted the balances, the screw that holds the balance into the rebate has split both horns on just about every window.

I told him I wasn't happy with the splits in the horns only to be told that I was "nitpicking". He has smoothed a bit of frame sealer over the cracks and says that's good enough........

opinions please?? thanks in advance.

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• andyMBW
• 30 Jul 2013
• 1

 

[HERTS P&D]

Not much you can do apart from remove the sashes and fill the split with glue and cramp over night.

Andy

 

[andyMBW]

yeah that what I thought.... will be difficult to get glue in without opening the split up more though......
I'm worried about leaving them as they are cos surely the(upwards) force of the balance will cause the spit to worsen in time??
am I overreacting in trying to get the joiner to sort em? doesn't seem right to me when they've only just been made.....

 

[God]

Did not think the balances would go that far down

 

[dann09]

Can you post a pic(s) of the whole w/frame opening?

 

[andyMBW]

Did not think the balances would go that far down

the screw point that you can see about 2/3 up the split is holding the end of the balance into the rebate

 

[andyMBW]

Can you post a pic(s) of the whole w/frame opening?

difficult to get a pic of outside because of conservatory below it but here are some inside pics and one of a downstairs window that has the same problem (its just the sashes that are new - the frames are original)

I can post photos of any specific bits you want to see....

thanks for the input fellas

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• andyMBW
• 30 Jul 2013
• 1

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• andyMBW
• 30 Jul 2013
• 1

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• andyMBW
• 30 Jul 2013
• 1

 

[dann09]

Thanks for the pics.

Perhaps the spiral balance is the wrong length for the stiles, and the error is compounded by using the c/w screws in a too deep slot?
There seems to be two screw tips protruding.

You could also benefit from some brass pull handles.

Perhaps, take out a lower sash, and examine it to see if the split continues up the stiles?

The split has developed into a crack that has opened up the bottom rail to stile joint.

 

[andyMBW]

dann09: I think you might be looking at two screw holes that you can see just below the horn ( in the frame ). The joiner put a couple of screws in to hold the top sash up for a while - there were no balances in em for a few months between him making and installing them, and then coming back to fit the balances

got some pull handles too, I was waiting to resolve the above mentioned gripes before fitting them

cheers dann09

all in all, do I have reason to be concerned about said splits/cracks?

 

[Burnerman]

If you can't get a stainless / brass screw in from the back, consider using elastic type car body filler to plug the crack.....sets really quick, easy to sand and no shrinkage. You do need to prevent water ingress if you can.
John

 

[andyMBW]

If you can't get a stainless / brass screw in from the back

great idea - could get them put straight back into frames so no need to clamp overnight/board up with ply etc.....

just gutted it needs doing in the first place

 

[dann09]

Nope, the two screw tips i'm referring to are in the horn split itself. One screw may have opened the stile, but the second screw would have caused the split that we see.

Car body filler wont work - when the wood swells and shrinks the filler will fall out.

Replace the screws in the horn with smaller screws, and fill the split with a first class wood glue.
Then, drill pilot holes followed by screws from the hidden side of the horn that will pull the horn together.

No clamping needed.

In a perfect world all the split sashes should be replaced and finished to a better standard than shown in the pics, and the balances replaced, but that might not happen.

 

[andyMBW]

sharp eyes, dann09!

thanks for all the advice given, I appreciate it