Our very own, Debby Allmon, was featured in the Kansas City Star’s Handyman section answering a reader’s question about how to fix a window that can’t be shut. See what she had to say about it. Here’s the reader’s question:
Q: The exterior of my home is stucco and has double-hung windows. When I had the house painted, the painter used a sprayer and one window was not completely closed. The upper sash was down about 2 inches and apparently paint was sprayed on the window, then seeped into the track. Now I am unable to close the window. Any suggestions?
A: I wish there was a quick and easy fix for this, but unfortunately you do not have a lot of options. If you can get into the window or track at all, try to soak the area — really saturate it — with denatured alcohol.
Use a disposable foam brush and try to loosen the paint on the track. Maybe this will allow the window to budge a little and break up the paint enough to let the window sash move.
If you cannot get to the paint in the track at all, you will need to remove the window from the frame. Once the window is removed, clean the paint off with the denatured alcohol and reinstall. You can purchase denatured alcohol at your local paint store.
Debby Allmon is a certified remodeler and vice president of Schloegel Design Remodel in Kansas City.