A broken sash cord usually shows as a window that will not stay open, or one that slams shut. Inside the frame, a cord links each sash to a hidden weight. When it snaps, the balance is lost. Re-cording costs £120 per window with us, and it is a routine repair.
How to tell a cord has broken
The signs are easy to spot. First, the sash drops the moment you let go. It may also feel suddenly heavy, because the weight is no longer helping you.
Sometimes you hear a thud inside the frame when the cord goes. Later you may hear the loose weight rattling in the box. Both sounds point to a cord that has let go.
Check both sides of the window, though. Each sash hangs on two cords, one per side. However, if only one has broken, the sash tilts and jams in the frame.
Why cords break
Age is the main reason, because cord is natural fibre or braided material that frays where it runs over the pulley. After decades of use, it simply wears through.
Paint is the next cause. Layers of paint on the pulley or cord make it stiff and brittle. As a result, it cracks long before it would have worn out.
Forcing a stuck window also breaks cords because, if a sash is painted shut or swollen, pulling hard puts a heavy load on the cord. Our guide to painted shut sash windows covers how to free one safely.
Poor fitting plays a part as well. A cord cut too long or tied badly will chafe. Therefore we replace cords with the right material and fix them properly.
What re-cording involves
The job is more involved than it looks, because the cord sits behind the frame. Here is how we do it.
First, we remove the staff bead, the inner timber strip that holds the lower sash in. Then we take out the sash and free the old cord. We also pull out the parting bead so we can reach the upper sash.
Next, we open the weight pocket and take out the weights. We check each pulley and replace any that are seized or worn. We then thread new cord over the pulley and tie it to the weight.
Finally, we fix the cord to the sash, refit the beads and test the balance. The sash should stay where you leave it. If the window was painted over, we ease the beads and moving parts so it runs freely.
This is the work covered by our sash cord replacement service. It is also a core part of a full sash window overhaul, where we deal with cords, beads, glazing and draughts together.
Why you should not leave it
It is tempting to prop the window with a stick and carry on. However, a broken cord is a safety problem. A sash can fall without warning, and that is dangerous for fingers and for children.
A propped window is also a security gap. A sash that will not close properly leaves a way in. In addition, a window held open lets in rain and damp, which can lead to rot in the sill.
Cost is the other reason. A broken cord is a cheap fix today, but left alone, the loose weight can damage the pocket, and a sash that bangs down can crack the glass.
Weights, balances and your options
In most cases, old London sashes use cast iron or lead weights in boxes at the sides of the frame. The weight matches the sash, so the window floats. However, if you have added heavier glass, we adjust the weights to suit.
However, some newer or replacement windows use spring balances instead. We explain the difference in our post on weighted versus spring balance sash windows. For original period windows, we generally keep the weights, because they are reliable and fully repairable.
Adding secondary glazing or double glazing adds weight. For that reason, the balance needs checking at the same time. Our comparison of draught proofing and secondary glazing looks at how each choice affects the window.
Listed and conservation-area homes
If your home is listed, re-cording is a repair rather than a change. We work like-for-like and keep the original sash, pulleys and beads wherever we can. Still, if you plan larger changes, read our guide to double glazing listed sash windows first.
Spotting other faults while we are there
A cord job is a good moment to check the rest of the window. For example, is the sill soft, is putty cracked, or does the sash rattle? Our guide to the signs your sash windows need repair gives you a checklist.
Sills in particular take a battering, so if you find soft timber, read about rotten sash window sill repair or replacement. Catching it early keeps costs down.
Looking after your cords
Regular upkeep helps cords last. For example, keep paint off the pulleys and cords, and avoid painting the sash in place without freeing it afterwards. Our sash window maintenance guide lists the simple jobs that protect your windows.
Local jobs
Cord failures are common in older London homes, because many Victorian and Edwardian houses still have their original weights. Whether you want sash window repairs in Lambeth, help for homes across Camden, or a visit in Ealing, the process is the same.
What it costs and how to book
Re-cording and counterbalance work is £120 per window. So if several windows need it, it often makes sense to treat them together. Our full price list is on the costs page.
To book, first send your postcode and a short description through our contact form. We arrange a free site visit and give you a written quote. The five-year no-quibble guarantee on labour applies to the work.