Repairing Broken Window Frames

[OrionGrad]

We have a bunch of windows in our house that don't work properly (as in, you can pull the window up, but then it just falls right back down). Does anyone have any experience with this? Is it possible to fix this kind of stuff on my own? Should we hire a window company? A handyman? I don't know any of the technical terms, so I feel dumb calling a handyman and trying to explain what the problem is over the phone. DH and I are both pretty handy (we've done a lot of DIY projects) but we don't even know where to start when it comes to repairing broken windows. Does anyone know??

[Sheherezade]

If they are old wooden windows, it's the string/weight system inside the frame that is broken. You can get in there and fish it out and repair it, but it's a pain in the ass. We've fixed a few but now with a bigger budget I'd probably go through the local restoration society or hardware store to get a name of a local guy. It can be farmed our but it's very specialized.

[Sheherezade]

I'll find the TOH article on window restoration; that's what we used to do ours.
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/m/how-to/step/0,,20228807,00.html.

This at least explains the mechanism. The sash cords break and then they just fall shut instead of staying open. We just restrung ours and knotted one we could get to without disassembling.

[OrionGrad]

We have some of those windows in our house, but the broken windows are actually the newer ones. (The old windows are all painted shut, which is a separate issue entirely.)
These windows don't have the string system. I'm horrible at describing it, but basically it's like you pull the window up, and a little metal piece falls down along the side. I can sometimes prop the window open by wedging it against the metal piece, but obviously that's not a real solution. Does that make any sense?

ETA: Okay, I haven't solved the whole problem, but I did figure out the name of the broken piece. Apparently I need to replace the balance spring (I think). Watching some YouTube videos on how to do this now..

[HouseofWool]

This thread makes me exceedingly glad that the little old lady who lived here before replaced nearly all of the windows with kick ass triple paned windows.

[Deebs]

I love when you all post things reminding me not to long for the 100 year old, beautiful houses I drive by daily.

[Sheherezade]

OG -- Try this thread instead:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load...605039664.html


We don't have any metal frames - but I remember the problem you have from the house I grew up in!!

[OrionGrad]

Yes, I think that describes the problem, but I feel like this is still over my head in terms of fixing it on my own. (DH is in the process of renovating my closet, so I don't want to distract him from that project by adding another.)
If I hired out for help on this, would I contact a place that does windows specifically, or a general handyman? I'm fairly certain the "recoil balance" is off and it just needs to be reconnected or replaced.

[OrionGrad]

Oh wait, I think I found a video that shows how to fix my problem and it looks really easy. Just in case anyone comes across this thread in the future, this is a great video showing how to replace the balance spring on a single hung window.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TAjm4X8ubI

Wish me luck!

[Sheherezade]

Yeah! The Internet is the most handy DIY tool.