How To Repair A Basement Window

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If yous have a basement window that's in desperate need of an update, remove the frame and replace the window. Install a new window that fits the space and caulk around the frame to waterproof information technology. If you need to install a new window in a physical wall, cut a pigsty that's large plenty to concord your new window. Then make a custom frame and push the window in place.

1. i

   Remove the woods frame and sash or metallic buck frame. If you take a wooden-framed window, pry off the frame and sash using a pry bar. Then take a reciprocating saw and cutting between the wall studs and the frame. If you take a metallic window frame that'due south rusted, determine if information technology was screwed or riveted in place. Unscrew it if yous can or utilize a drill to remove the rivets. Then pull abroad the metal frame from the surrounding concrete.^[ane]

   • The wooden frame is besides chosen a jamb while a metallic frame is likewise called a cadet.
   • If the metallic frame isn't rusted, you tin can typically leave it in place and replace just the window pieces.

2. 2

   Measure the window frame so you lot know what size replacement to get. For a wooden window frame, measure the width and pinnacle of the frame. Use the inside measurements instead of the outside measurements since some window sills are sloped. If you're measuring a metal window frame, mensurate the height and width.^[2]

   • If yous didn't take the frame out, you lot can simply mensurate the size of the window. If y'all can't get an exact size, guild a slightly smaller window that you tin fill in with mortar.

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3. 3

   Clean the window opening and remove any ridges of mortar. Utilise a saucepan-type vacuum to suck up any dust or debris from the window opening. If yous take a physical or brick opening, check for ridges that will go far hard to install the new window. To remove concrete ridges, use a hammer and cold chisel to fleck away the excess mortar.^[3]

   • If you don't desire to fleck away mortar ridges, consider ownership a window that's smaller and won't need to exist installed over the ridge.

4. 4

   Identify the replacement window in the frame and drill it in place. Take out the sash and screen from the new window to brand it easier to get to the spiral holes. Then advisedly push the window into the opening. Apply galvanized or stainless steel screws to spiral the window in identify.^[4]

   • If y'all're screwing the window into physical, you'll have to screw double-threaded concrete screws using a hammer drill.
   • Cheque to encounter if your replacement window came with screw cover plugs and put them on if so.

5. 5

   Fill in the gaps betwixt the window and foundation. Now that you've replaced the window, look to see if the window is flush with the surrounding foundation. If in that location are any gaps, you'll need to use a filler to seal the gap. Consider using one or more of these:^[five]

   • Mortar
   • Mortar and brick or stone
   • Caulk for the sides or top of the frame
   • Urethane spray cream for nether the will
   • Custom-cut pipe insulation

6. 6

   Put the window sash and screen dorsum in and shine away any mortar. Put any of the window parts back in identify. One time the mortar or caulk is completely dry, utilize a polish trowel to smooth the mortar or caulk so it'southward flush with the foundation of the window.^{[half dozen]}

   • Read the mortar or caulk bundle to determine how long it needs to dry. Depending on the product, it may take a few hours to a few days to dry.

7. 7

   Use primer to the bare parts of the wooden window. If you lot're replacing a wooden window, y'all'll need to protect it from pelting and the elements. Spread i coat of exterior-form primer to the bare wood and let it dry out according to the manufacturer's instructions.^[7]

   • In one case the primer is dry, make up one's mind if you want to paint the wooden frame to lucifer your dwelling house's trim.

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1. 1

   Mensurate the size of your window and get a permit. If you want a basement window that will satisfy egress codes, information technology needs to be at to the lowest degree 5.vii square ft (nine.nine k) in size. Specifically, the window has to be at least twenty in (50 cm) wide and 24 in (61 cm) high. In one case you know the size you want your window to be, take a sketch of it to your city's building inspector's office to get a edifice let.^[8]

   • The bottom of the window can't be more 44 in (one.1 m) from the floor. This ensures that the window is easy to employ as an emergency entrance or exit.

2. 2

   Choose a location for the window and mark the outline with tape. You may desire to put the window on the wall that will give the best lite and look the best from the exterior. Pay attention to any obstacles you might face when installing the window. Once you're satisfied with where to place the window, outline the window measurements on the wall using masking tape.^[ix]

   • Brand the outline three 1/2 in (8 cm) wider and 1 3/4 in (4 cm) higher to business relationship for the wooden frame.
   • Obstacles for installation include buried utilities, plants growing on the exterior, wiring for the house, and ductwork. If you aren't sure if yous have buried utilities or wiring, phone call your utility company before starting the project.

3. 3

   Build a temporary support wall for additional support. If the joists are perpendicular to the wall you're cutting into, build a ii x 4 ft (lx x 120 cm) back up wall. Brand the wall 3 ft (90 cm) in front of the wall you're cutting into. Spiral the support wall firmly into identify at the summit and bottom where it meets the joists.^[10]

   • If the joists aren't perpendicular to the window wall or the window will be less than 48 in (i.2 m) broad, yous can skip this footstep.

4. iv

   Staple plastic sheeting to the temporary wall to grab the dust. Before you begin cutting into the wall, hang 6-mil plastic sheeting from the temporary wall and staple it in identify. Cut slits in the plastic and so you lot can lift it upwards and staple the sheeting in between the joists.^[eleven]

   • The plastic volition comprise the dust and debris from cutting which will make clean up easier.

5. 5

   Mark the cutting lines and drill through pilot holes on the corners. Measure out and mark the dimensions of the window on the exterior using masking tape. Utilise a hammer drill and a long bit to drill pilot holes through the center of the bottom cut line. You'll also need to drill level holes at the corners of the window so they go through the wall.^[12]

   • Utilize a level to ensure that you're marking the window accurately. Use the measuring lines as guides when yous drill.

6. 6

   Use a concrete saw to cutting the interior and exterior outline of the window. Utilize a fourteen inch (35 cm) concrete saw with a diamond bract to cut the outline of the window from the within and outside. Make the cut about 1/2 in (1.iii cm) deep. You'll demand to go around the outline twice with the saw, making a one/two in (1.iii cm) deep cut the second time as well.^[xiii]

   • If the saw is making as well much grit every bit it cuts the concrete, wet the blade.

7. 7

   Knock out the physical and smooth the opening. Take a 4 lb (1.eight kg) sledgehammer and hit the concrete near the top part of the window'south centre. Then hit around the centre edges of the window. The concrete will brainstorm to fall out of the wall. One time most of it is out, employ a brick chisel to remove small bits of concrete that remain.^[xiv]

   • At this bespeak you tin bank check to ensure that the rough frame and window will fit the opening yous just fabricated.

8. eight

   Fill the exposed wall blocks with newspapers and concrete. Take several newspapers and crumple them up. Stuff them into the exposed concrete blocks. And so use a cement trowel to fill the blocks with concrete and cover them with plastic sheeting.^[xv]

   • The newspapers volition prevent the concrete from falling down through the blocks.
   • The plastic sheeting will foreclose the water from the concrete from warping the window frame sill.

9. nine

   Install and spiral the sill and frame in place. To install the sill, screw 3 in (7.5 cm) deck screws through the wood into the wet physical. And then push the header in identify and screw it to the floor joists. Install the frame sides and so they fit tightly and bang them into place. Drill screws at a an angle through the frame sides.^[xvi]

   • The frame sides will back up the header.

10. 10

    Anchor the frame and caulk around it. Use ii three/sixteen x 3 1/4 in (.5 x eight.2 cm) physical screws to secure the frame to the block wall. Then use a polyurethane or exterior caulk to fill in gaps between the frame and concrete.^[17]

    • If you want the screws to be flush to the frame, countersink them and so they don't extend past the frame.
    • If the gaps are wider than one/4 in (6 mm), install a cream backer rod into the gap. Then seal with the caulking.

11. 11

    Caulk around the within of the frame and install the window. Get help to concord up the new window and center it in identify. And so remove the window then yous can caulk around the forest frame. Put the window back in place and ensure information technology's level. Drill screws into the nailing fin and then the window is secured.^[18]

    • Cheque your specific nailing fin to see if it's supposed to be nailed in place instead screwed in place.

12. 12

    Remove the temporary wall and let the window dry for 2 to three days. Pull down the plastic sheeting you installed to contain grit and and then take downward the temporary support wall. Leave the new window to set up and dry before you pigment or use the window.^[19]

    • It may have longer for your window to set if your basement is very clammy or humid.

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Add together New Question

• Question

  How practise I become more light from those tiny basement windows?

  

  Try using mirrors to reflect lite to different areas of the room. Fifty-fifty but painting the windowsill and any other surrounding shoulders vivid white can dramatically increase the window light output.

• Question

  Can I utilise pressboard or interior window sill?

  

  Pressboard (particle board) is an inexpensive option for a new windowsill frame.

• Question

  We are ready to install 2 basement windows. There is an R/O with wood trim. Do we have to remove the wood R/O before we install the windows or do the windows sit in this opening?

  

  No, non if the windows fit. As long every bit they're in expert shape, in that location's no police against re-using them nor keeping them undisturbed. However, if they're just blocking empty space or pocket-sized gaps, I'd remove them and insulate the new window to exist air, water and bug-tight.

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• In one case you've installed the window, bevel the ledge under it then h2o drains away.

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

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• Always wear safety equipment such as a mask and safety goggles.

• While yous tin can cut through concrete block walls safely, you should rent a professional to cut the window if your basement walls are poured concrete.^[20]

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Things You'll Demand

• Cold chisel
• Reciprocating saw
• Pry bar
• Hammer
• Replacement window
• Galvanized or stainless steel screws
• Power drill and spiral driver
• Double-threaded concrete screws
• Hammer drill
• Bucket-blazon vacuum
• Filler for gaps
• Smooth trowel
• Pigment brush
• Exterior-grade primer
• Safety spectacles, grit mask, and hearing protection

• Masking tape
• Record mensurate
• 6-mil plastic sheeting
• 2 x 4 ft (60 10 120 cm) lumber for temporary wall
• 3 in (seven.5 cm) deck screws
• Hammer drill with long scrap
• Concrete saw with a 12 or 14 in (30 or 35.five cm) bract
• Safety glasses, dust mask, and hearing protection
• Brick chisel
• iv pounds (1.viii kg) sledgehammer
• Level
• Caulk gun
• Concrete
• Physical trowel
• Newspapers
• Shims, optional

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Article Summary X

To install a replacement basement window, remove the frame and sash, then measure out the window frame so you lot know what size to become. Clean the window opening to remove any debris earlier yous identify the replacement window in the frame. Later you lot spiral the window into the frame, fill in whatsoever gaps with mortar, caulk, or spray cream. So, put the window sash and screen back in and polish abroad any mortar or caulk. Read on to acquire how to install an egress window in your basement!

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Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Install-Basement-Windows

Posted by: hernandezconsis.blogspot.com

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