How to Replace Window Ropes

The first sign that you have a broken window rope (usually called sash cord), might be a stuck window, or a window that does not slide up and down properly. To prevent a sash cord from breaking, and then losing the weight in the wall cavity, examine the portion of the rope that is visible. If you suspect trouble, remove some of the trim, and replace the sash cord before it breaks.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Utility knife
• Screwdriver
• Flat pry bar
• Lightweight claw hammer (16 oz)
• Sash cord
• Common nails (#8 or #10 )
• Masking tape ( or electrician's tape)

1. Remove the inside window stop that holds the lower sash in place. Cut through the paint that covers the seam with a sharp utility knife, then remove the piece of trim with a small flat bar.

2. Raise the window as high as it will go, and find the access panel to the window weights. You may have to scrape some paint, but there are two screws that hold the wooden panel in place. Remove the screws, and the piece of wood comes free. You will find the weights inside the wall cavity suspended at the end of a rope (sash cord). The wooden panel is probably painted in place as well, so it will likely take a sharp utility knife to cut the paint away. The access panel will always be located in the window tract at the side of window, where it slides up and down.

3. Pull the window weight through the space, where the panel used to be, and set it down on the window sill. Then untie the rope where it is attached to the weight. Keep the end of the rope on the window sill in plain view.

4. Measure the overall length of the rope. This will be a rough estimate, since one end is still tied to the top of the window, and the rope is also looped over the pulley. Cut a piece of rope to match the existing piece. To be on the safe side, you can cut this piece of cord a little bit on the long side.

5. Place the two ends of the rope together as if you are about to make a splice, and then wrap the two pieces with masking tape. Pull the old cord through the pulley (it is located above the access panel) until you are holding the splice of masking tape.

6. Remove the masking tape and tie the new cord to the side of the window. You will have to remove the old cord first. Remove the old cord carefully, and examine how it is attached. The new cord gets installed in exactly the same way.

7. Take the loose end of the new cord (it should still be hanging in the wall cavity), pull it through the access panel, and tie it to the end of the weight.

8. Put the weight back in the wall cavity, and screw the access panel back into place.

9. Repeat Steps 2 through 8 for the other side of the window.

10. Repeat the same procedure for the top half of the window if it has the same mechanism of weights and a pulley.

11. Slide the window into place, and replace the indoor window stop.

Tips & Warnings

• Sash cord can be purchased at most hardware stores. Make sure the rope is labeled and identified as sash cord.
• Be careful not to drop the weight down the inside of the wall cavity. If you do, it is better to replace the weight, than tear the wall apart to get to the window weight.