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Windows become stuck shut when fresh paint dries between the movable sash and the frame around it. These windows are relatively easy to open by breaking the pigment seal with a putty pocketknife. If you aren't able to leverage the window open up, pry the side stops off the window frame. Y'all will then be able to repair any damage to the window to ensure it opens and shuts without further issues.

  1. 1

    Slide a putty knife into the interior joints effectually the window sash. Place the knife between the sash, which is the movable part of the window, and the wood stoppers on the wall. Tap the knife'southward handle with a hammer as needed to push it farther into the joint. And so, move the knife all the mode around the window to break the paint seal.[one]

    • If your window has a top and bottom sash, start with the lower 1.
    • A utility knife also works well for most windows, but may not be able to cut through thicker beads of pigment. Another choice is a specialty blade called a window zipper, bachelor at many hardware stores.

  2. 2

    Break the pigment seal on the window'southward exterior with a putty knife. Go outside and identify the putty knife between the window sash and the frame. Carefully elevate information technology around the entire window. After cut through the paint, you may be able to open the window past hand again.

    • If going outside isn't possible, go out the exterior alone and focus on what yous are able to attain. Yous may need to put a picayune more effort into moving the window sash, only opening the window is all the same possible.

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  3. three

    Loosen the interior joints further after attempting to lift the sash. Get back inside your home and try to elevator the sash up with your easily. Make certain it is unlocked kickoff. If it feels a little loose, slide a putty knife or paint scraper into the surrounding joints again. Break off as much of the obstructing pigment as possible.[2]

    • Be gentle when lifting the window. Forcing it is a certain way to break it. If it feels stuck, attempt something else.

  4. 4

    Attempt to elevator the sash with a pry bar if it is nonetheless stuck. Ready the pry bar against the corner of the window sash. Slide it underneath the sash'due south bottom edge. Tap the pry bar with a hammer as needed to go information technology farther into the articulation. Then, gently try to leverage the window up.[3]

    • If you feel the window loosening, try moving the pry bar. Piece of work on the sash's other corner before prying up the middle section. Sometimes applying strength in a few different spots is enough to get the window open.
    • To reduce the possibility of impairment, stop prying the window if it feels stuck in identify. Remove the window stops and possibly the sash itself to repair the window.

  5. 5

    Spray the window tracks with a dry out lubricant. The all-time lubricants to utilize are labeled every bit "dry" or for use on sliding windows. They come in spray bottles, so all yous have to practise is point the nozzle at the tracks on either side of the window sash. Spray them with an even blanket of lubricant to make the sash easier to open and shut.[4]

    • Lubricants are available online or at many home improvement stores. Look for ones with graphite, Teflon, silicone, or similar products.
    • Once you lot take lubricated the sash, continue opening and closing it. The more y'all apply it, the more it loosens.
    • Some other style to lubricate the tracks is with a wax candle. Wipe the candle stub over the rails for a mess-free lubricant.[5]

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  1. 1

    Remove whatever screws around the window frame. Bank 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 motility up and down. If these pieces are held in place by screws, you ordinarily need a small Phillip-caput screwdriver to remove them. Twist them counterclockwise until they pop out.[6]

    • If you don't see screws, the side panels are well-nigh likely being held in identify by nails. Y'all will need to pry the panels forrad before pulling out the nails.

  2. two

    Slide a putty knife behind the left window stop to begin removing it. Place the putty pocketknife in the joint between the panel and the wall. Motion the knife forth the articulation to suspension the paint seal. Drag the knife all the way to the top and bottom of each console. If you need to, hammer the border of the knife to force it through tough spots.[7]

    • The knife will chip the paint a little, but the damage frequently isn't significant and fixing the window is well worth it.
    • Be 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 domicile comeback store and utilise information technology to clean up paint chips. Wear a respirator mask with a HEPA filter for additional protection.

  3. 3

    Pry the window finish from the jamb with putty knives. Push the flat border of a putty knife between the window stop and the wall. Wiggle the knife to move the stop away from the wall. Take your fourth dimension and don't force it if it feels stuck. For actress leverage, slide a 2nd knife in place behind the kickoff one.[8]

    • For tougher stops, remove them with a pry bar. Gear up the pry bar betwixt the 2 knives to protect the forest from damage. Hammer the end of the bar to wedge it in identify.
    • Use a putty pocketknife or window zipper to break paint seals holding the ends of the stoppers to the window sill.

  4. 4

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

  5. 5

    Remove the opposite finish if the window is yet stuck in identify. Try to lift the window. With any luck, it will at present be loose enough to open. If it doesn't, break the paint seal on the other terminate, and so pry information technology off the wall.[9]

    • Attempt to open the window past hand. Leveraging it with tools may also assistance, simply be careful not to forcefulness it also much and damage it.

  6. half-dozen

    Wiggle the window sash to free it from any remaining paint. Pull the sash gently towards you. Push the sash dorsum, then pull it towards you again slowly. Do this a few times, then test the sash by attempting to lift it upwardly.[ten]

    • Employ a putty pocketknife or window zipper as needed to assistance break the paint seal around the sash'south top and lesser edges.

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  1. 1

    Cut the sash cords behind the window stop to remove the sash. The sash cords are subconscious inside the wall. When you remove the stop on the correct side, you volition see what looks like a hidden compartment. Use a sharp knife or scissors to slice through the thick cords hanging there. And so, slide the window sash abroad from the wall.[eleven]

    • The sash cords have weights on their ends. Concord onto the weights equally you cut the cords to preclude them from falling.

  2. 2

    Scrape loose paint off of the window sash. Gear up the window sash down on a flat, stable surface. Near likely an quondam sash will have lots of debris and other cloth around its frame. Employ a pigment scraper or another tool to remove whatever excess material.

    • If the window pane is in good shape, you don't need to replace information technology. Leave the glazing compound, ordinarily a green substance between the glass and frame, in place.
    • Be wary of lead pigment in older houses. Place the window on superlative of a plastic sheet that volition collect falling dust. Work with a respirator fitted with a HEPA filter.

  3. three

    Sand the sash frame smooth with 100-grit sandpaper. Wear downwardly the frame until it looks roughly level. Avoid touching the glass with the sandpaper, since information technology could lead to scratches.[12]

    • If you see any holes in the frame from rot, fill up them in now with forest putty or epoxy, and so sand the area flat again.

  4. 4

    Prime number and paint the sash the frame. Spread a coat of wood primer over the entire frame, so let it rest for nearly 3 hours. After the primer has dried, open up a tin can of water-resistant latex pigment. Let the paint dry for at least one hr. If you need to apply a 2nd coat of paint, await 4 hours.[xiii]

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

  5. five

    Install new sash cords by hanging them on the pulleys. Purchase sash cords identical to the ones y'all took out of the wall. At the very elevation of the wall compartment, y'all will come across a pair of pulleys. Loop the cords effectually the pulleys, then tie them to the weights y'all removed earlier.[14]

    • Take the old cords with you lot when you lot go to buy new ones at a hardware shop. Cords come in different sizes, so non all of them work well in your window.
    • Add together a few drops of oil or a lubricant like WD-xl to keep the pulleys in working order.

  6. half-dozen

    Replace the window sash and stops on the wall. Set the window sash in place on the window. Then, return the stops to the wall. Smash them in place with brad nails almost 3⁄4  in (1.9 cm) long, plenty to secure the stops in place without piercing the compartment with the sash cords. Place the nails about every 10 in (25 cm) to complete the window.[15]

    • Test the window sash thoroughly to brand certain it opens. If it doesn't open, the sash cords may be the upshot and they are easier to adjust earlier you replace the stops.

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  • Work slowly and gently when opening a window. Using likewise much force may damage the wood around it or even pause the window permanently.

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

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

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  • Lead paint was used in many homes built before 1980. It is toxic when ingested, so have proper safety 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 Demand

  • Putty pocketknife
  • Pry bar
  • Hammer
  • Dry window lubricant
  • Phillips-head screwdriver
  • Putty knives
  • Pry bar
  • Hammer
  • Sharp pocketknife or scissors
  • Window sash cords
  • Paint scraper
  • 100-grit sandpaper
  • Wood primer
  • Latex paint
  • 3⁄4  in (i.nine cm) brad nails
  • Measuring tape
  • Hammer

References

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