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Windows get stuck shut when fresh paint dries betwixt the movable sash and the frame effectually it. These windows are relatively piece of cake to open by breaking the paint seal with a putty knife. If you aren't able to leverage the window open, pry the side stops off the window frame. Yous will then be able to repair any damage to the window to ensure it opens and shuts without further issues.

  1. ane

    Slide a putty knife into the interior joints effectually the window sash. Place the knife between the sash, which is the movable office of the window, and the wood stoppers on the wall. Tap the pocketknife's handle with a hammer equally needed to push it further into the articulation. Then, movement the knife all the way around the window to break the paint seal.[one]

    • If your window has a tiptop and bottom sash, starting time with the lower one.
    • A utility knife also works well for most windows, but may not exist able to cutting through thicker chaplet of paint. Some other pick is a specialty blade called a window attachment, available at many hardware stores.

  2. two

    Suspension the pigment seal on the window's exterior with a putty knife. Become outside and identify the putty knife between the window sash and the frame. Carefully drag it around the entire window. Afterward cutting through the paint, y'all may exist able to open the window by mitt again.

    • If going outside isn't possible, go out the outside lonely and focus on what you are able to reach. You may need to put a little more effort into moving the window sash, but opening the window is yet possible.

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  3. 3

    Loosen the interior joints farther after attempting to lift the sash. Go back inside your home and try to elevator the sash upward with your hands. Make certain it is unlocked first. If information technology feels a niggling loose, slide a putty knife or paint scraper into the surrounding joints once again. Break off as much of the obstructing pigment as possible.[2]

    • Be gentle when lifting the window. Forcing it is a sure style to pause it. If it feels stuck, effort something else.

  4. 4

    Attempt to lift the sash with a pry bar if information technology is still stuck. Gear up the pry bar against the corner of the window sash. Slide information technology underneath the sash's bottom border. Tap the pry bar with a hammer equally needed to get information technology further into the articulation. Then, gently try to leverage the window up.[3]

    • If yous feel the window loosening, try moving the pry bar. Work on the sash's other corner before prying upwardly the centre department. Sometimes applying forcefulness in a few dissimilar spots is enough to go the window open up.
    • To reduce the possibility of impairment, terminate prying the window if it feels stuck in place. Remove the window stops and perchance the sash itself to repair the window.

  5. v

    Spray the window tracks with a dry out lubricant. The best lubricants to employ are labeled as "dry" or for use on sliding windows. They come up in spray bottles, and then all you have to practise is point the nozzle at the tracks on either side of the window sash. Spray them with an even coating of lubricant to make the sash easier to open and shut.[4]

    • Lubricants are available online or at many abode improvement stores. Look for ones with graphite, Teflon, silicone, or like products.
    • Once you have lubricated the sash, go on opening and closing information technology. The more you employ it, the more it loosens.
    • Another style to lubricate the tracks is with a wax candle. Wipe the candle stub over the track for a mess-free lubricant.[5]

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  1. 1

    Remove any screws around the window frame. Check the tracks to the left and right of the window sash. The sash rests on a pair of wood panels that permit it to move upwards and downwardly. If these pieces are held in place by screws, you usually need a pocket-size Phillip-caput screwdriver to remove them. Twist them counterclockwise until they pop out.[six]

    • If you don't see screws, the side panels are most likely being held in place past nails. Y'all will need to pry the panels forward before pulling out the nails.

  2. two

    Slide a putty knife behind the left window end to begin removing it. Place the putty knife in the joint between the console and the wall. Motion the knife along the joint to suspension the pigment seal. Elevate the pocketknife all the fashion to the top and bottom of each panel. If y'all demand to, hammer the border of the pocketknife to force information technology through tough spots.[vii]

    • The pocketknife will chip the paint a fiddling, but the harm often isn't meaning and fixing the window is well worth it.
    • Exist careful when working in older homes. Many homes built before 1980 have lead paint. To avoid lead exposure, rent a vacuum with a HEPA filter from a home improvement store and use it to make clean up paint chips. Wearable a respirator mask with a HEPA filter for additional protection.

  3. 3

    Pry the window stop from the jamb with putty knives. Push the apartment border of a putty knife between the window finish and the wall. Wiggle the knife to move the stop away from the wall. Have your fourth dimension and don't forcefulness it if it feels stuck. For actress leverage, slide a second knife in place backside the first one.[8]

    • For tougher stops, remove them with a pry bar. Set the pry bar betwixt the 2 knives to protect the wood from damage. Hammer the end of the bar to wedge information technology in place.
    • Use a putty knife or window zipper to break paint seals belongings the ends of the stoppers to the window sill.

  4. 4

    Pull the nails out of the wall with a hammer. Later on you remove the window stops, locate whatsoever nails left on the wall. Use the claw stop of a hammer or a similar tool to get them out of your way.

  5. 5

    Remove the opposite end if the window is however stuck in place. Try to elevator the window. With any luck, information technology will now be loose enough to open. If it doesn't, interruption the paint seal on the other cease, then pry it off the wall.[9]

    • Attempt to open up the window by hand. Leveraging it with tools may also help, but exist careful not to force information technology too much and damage information technology.

  6. half-dozen

    Jerk the window sash to costless it from any remaining paint. Pull the sash gently towards yous. Push the sash back, then pull information technology towards y'all over again slowly. Do this a few times, and so test the sash past attempting to elevator it up.[10]

    • Use a putty pocketknife or window attachment every bit needed to help break the paint seal around the sash'south top and bottom edges.

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  1. 1

    Cut the sash cords backside the window stop to remove the sash. The sash cords are subconscious inside the wall. When you remove the end on the right side, you volition meet what looks similar a hidden compartment. Apply a sharp knife or scissors to slice through the thick cords hanging in that location. Then, slide the window sash away from the wall.[11]

    • The sash cords have weights on their ends. Hold onto the weights as you cut the cords to prevent them from falling.

  2. 2

    Scrape loose paint off of the window sash. Ready the window sash down on a flat, stable surface. About likely an erstwhile sash will accept lots of debris and other fabric around its frame. Use a paint scraper or another tool to remove any excess textile.

    • If the window pane is in skilful shape, yous don't demand to supplant it. Leave the glazing chemical compound, normally a greenish substance betwixt the glass and frame, in identify.
    • Be wary of atomic number 82 pigment in older houses. Identify the window on top of a plastic canvass that will collect falling dust. Work with a respirator fitted with a HEPA filter.

  3. three

    Sand the sash frame polish with 100-grit sandpaper. Wearable down the frame until it looks roughly level. Avert touching the glass with the sandpaper, since information technology could pb to scratches.[12]

    • If you see whatever holes in the frame from rot, fill them in now with wood putty or epoxy, then sand the area flat again.

  4. four

    Prime and paint the sash the frame. Spread a glaze of wood primer over the unabridged frame, then permit it rest for near iii hours. After the primer has stale, open a tin can of h2o-resistant latex paint. Let the paint dry for at least 1 hour. If you demand to use a second coat of paint, wait 4 hours.[13]

    • Think of what colour the rest of the window frame is. Unless you plan on repainting the entire frame, match the color of the sash'southward frame to it.

  5. 5

    Install new sash cords by hanging them on the pulleys. Purchase sash cords identical to the ones you took out of the wall. At the very superlative of the wall compartment, you will run across a pair of pulleys. Loop the cords around the pulleys, then tie them to the weights you lot removed earlier.[14]

    • Take the old cords with you when you become to buy new ones at a hardware shop. Cords come in unlike sizes, and then not all of them piece of work well in your window.
    • Add a few drops of oil or a lubricant like WD-40 to go along the pulleys in working order.

  6. six

    Supervene upon the window sash and stops on the wall. Prepare the window sash in identify on the window. Then, return the stops to the wall. Nail them in place with brad nails about 3⁄4  in (1.9 cm) long, enough to secure the stops in place without piercing the compartment with the sash cords. Identify the nails about every 10 in (25 cm) to complete the window.[15]

    • Test the window sash thoroughly to make sure it opens. If it doesn't open, the sash cords may be the issue and they are easier to suit earlier you replace the stops.

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  • Work slowly and gently when opening a window. Using too much forcefulness may harm the wood around it or even break the window permanently.

  • If your window is in bad condition, consider replacing information technology with a new, more modern window.

  • For difficult windows y'all are unable to open yourself, phone call a window repair professional in your area.

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  • Lead paint was used in many homes built earlier 1980. Information technology is toxic when ingested, so take proper safe precautions such as laying out a plastic mat, wearing a respirator with a HEPA filter, and vacuuming upwardly debris with a HEPA vacuum.

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Things You'll Need

  • Putty pocketknife
  • Pry bar
  • Hammer
  • Dry out window lubricant
  • Phillips-head screwdriver
  • Putty knives
  • Pry bar
  • Hammer
  • Abrupt knife or pair of scissors
  • Window sash cords
  • Pigment scraper
  • 100-grit sandpaper
  • Woods primer
  • Latex paint
  • 3⁄4  in (1.9 cm) brad nails
  • Measuring tape
  • Hammer

References

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