Removing your old wood double hung windowsWritten by John Rocco
Last week i told you how to measure your wood window openings to properly order your new vinyl replacement windows. This week i'm going to explain how to remove your old windows. The vast majority of wood sash double hung windows in America have same specifications. Starting from inside house and working out, you have a wood stop approximately 3/8" X 3/8". Then comes lower sash(the sash is piece of glass and surrounding wood frame). Then you have another wood stop (called a parting bead) between lower sash and upper sash. This stop is approx. 1/4" X 1/2". Then you have upper sash, and finally, outside wood stop (called a blind stop) that is approx. 1/2" X 3/4". Before beginning, be sure to wear safety glasses and gloves. The safety glasses will protect your eyes from debris, and gloves help avoid splinters. The inside stop needs to be removed first. Try not to damage these,they will be re-installed after replacement windows are put in. If you should happen to crack old stops, you can take a piece to a hardware store or molding store to get replacement wood stops. If stops have been painted to blend into surrounding trim or wall, you need to put a flat screwdriver or putty knife into indented area that separates stop from surrounding area. Drag blade from top to bottom to chip away paint. Then put a stiff blade putty knife into this seam and pry stop away from frame. Start in middle of stop where there is most flexibility. Work putty knife from middle to top, then from middle to bottom. The number of nails that were used to install stop will determine how difficult removal will be. I have seen some stops that have just 3 nails, while others have had 6. Most of time there will be stops around all four sides of opening, but i have seen some openings that didn't have a top stop, and others that had no bottom stop. After inside stops have been removed, you should be able to pull lower sash out. If windows were painted shut at some time, you might have to pry area where lock is located to separate sashes. Now, once you get lower sash out, it will still be attached to cords that hold window up when you raise it. Take a pair of tin snips and cut cords while maintaining tension on them. The cords will recoil back into assemblies. Take lower sash and set it aside.
| | Household Helpful TipsWritten by Mrs. Party... Gail Leino
Helpful Hints ~ Flies or bees bothering you? Spray them with hair spray and they will take a quick dive. ~ Sealed envelope - Put in freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under flap. The envelope can then be resealed. ~ Use Empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and you can write on roll what appliance it belongs to. ~ For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put Dawn dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over steps. They won't refreeze. ~ Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes of with little effort (elbow grease that is!). ~ Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt BLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel. ~ Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throw away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that this would be much more economical. And now a box of S.O.S. pads last me indefinitely! In fact, I have noticed that scissors get sharpened this way! ~ Opening brand new jars can be a feat in itself. Well, I have found a way to make it easiest thing to do. Instead of banging a jar of jam, pickles, etc., with a knife until it loosens up, I simply reach into drawer and pull out handy nutcracker. It adjusts to size of jar and I simply give it a good twist and off pops lid! ~ Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works every time! ~ Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak. ~ Spray a bit of perfume on light bulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room when light is turned on. Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen. ~ Candles will last a lot longer if placed in freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning. ~ To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add flowers. Shake vigorously as salt will absorb all dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!
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