| Author |
Message |
    
calypso
Citizen
Username: Calypso
Post Number: 44
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 9:00 pm: | 
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How do you get a window to open when it is stuck shut? One of them has been stuck for one year, since the painters came through, the other for, oh, let's say forever. I've whacked both with a hammer on the frame, but they still didn't budge and I don't want to break the glass. |
Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 1343
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 9:13 pm: |
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You could try a chisel around the window where it meets the frame. Try not to hammer up under the top of the window frame. I've had just that top of the frame come off, with the lower pieces unmoved. So try to lift from below. If you can, hook a crow bar under the window pulls and put some cardboard on the window sill to protect it.
This is a bad season to do this as my windows are sticking more because of the heat and humidity than they do in winter.
This may seem drastic, but if there are no window pulls to hook a crowbar under, you could drive some screws through a block of wood into the bottow of the window and hook a crowbar under the block of wood.
Also look at the top of the window at the edges and make sure no one has driven nails above it to keep it closed.
Good luck,
J.B. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2933
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 9:41 pm: |
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Have you run a spackle knife or Xacto around the edges to make sure no paint is sealing the window to the frame? Get on a stool, too, and look down on where the lower section overlaps the upper section. Even the littlest bit can make a problem. Lastly, I think you can buy spray silicone (I keep meaning to) to spray lightly on the tracks. I'm assuming the 40's/50's and up type of window with a tubular/semicirular looking track that the window rides on. Sometimes they get painted, too, which makes it all worse.
I went through this recently. Other thing is, especially given paint and humidity, if you to try to push up the window in anything other than a complete level fashion it will get hung up. For me, paint on the track and sealing in little spots was the problem. |
Richard Kessler
Citizen
Username: Richiekess
Post Number: 159
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, July 9, 2006 - 9:14 am: |
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Red Devil, which is headquarters in Union, makes a tool specifically for this purpose: the Window Zipper:
http://www.reddevil.com/productDetail.cfm?id=4046RT&c=pt&cat=19 |
calypso
Citizen
Username: Calypso
Post Number: 45
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 3:24 pm: |
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thank you all! I'll wait until the rain lets up (ha ha ha) and then have a go at it. |
mrmaplewood
Citizen
Username: Mrmaplewood
Post Number: 366
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 4:43 pm: |
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Remember this experience the next time you have the house painted, and do NOT pay the contractor until you have examined all the windows. It is a common problem. The painter will claim no responsibility. |
Bill232
Citizen
Username: Bill232
Post Number: 185
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 5:15 pm: |
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1) Run a razor along paint to break seal. (Don't use chisel. This will damage wood.)
2) Use a rubber mallet and strike downwards on top of frame of lower window.
You may want to use a towel to hit upon to prevent marring of wood.
3) Try this several times along length of window.
4) Then push up forcibly with heels of your hands several times in direction to open windows.
5) Repeat steps as necessary. |
Bill232
Citizen
Username: Bill232
Post Number: 186
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 5:17 pm: |
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1) Run a razor along paint to break seal. (Don't use a chisel. This will damage wood. )
2) Use a rubber mallet and strike downwards on top of frame of lower window.
You may want to use a towel to hit upon to prevent marring of wood.
3) Try this several times along length of window.
4) Then push up forcibly with heels of your hands several times in direction to open windows.
5) Repeat steps as necessary. |
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