broken sliding window theory

January 10, 2007 8:50 PM

The sliding window in my bedroom is stuck, and it is very cold outside. How can I put it right?

Hello, hive-mind.

While attempting to open (or close) the window this morning, my partner somehow caused it to jam or come off of it's track.

It will not slide left nor right. It seems to be fixed at the top center, and will move slightly around this point.

Where, and how, should I apply force to get the window back on track? I've been afraid of making it worse.

I've included a helpful picture or two. Can you see the snow in the background?

posted by wolfsleepy to Home & Garden (8 answers total)

Best answer: Have you tried jiggling the left bottom side towards the top? That's what I do with my constantly off-track sliding closet doors and it seems to work. It seems like the left side is hanging low, so try pushing it up and jiggling it around.

Jiggling things usually makes them work. I hope it does in this case. Good luck!
posted by tastybrains at 8:51 PM on January 10, 2007

If I'm reading what you're saying right about how it's fixed, I would put a hand on either side of the window and apply pressure forwards and down (if that makes any sense). I had a window in a similar situation once and that seemed to fix it.
posted by Effigy2000 at 8:57 PM on January 10, 2007

Response by poster: Thanks brains and effigy.

I grabbed it with both hands and kinda raged on it, jiggling in multiple directions until it fell into place.


Jiggling things usually makes them work.

I will remember this.
posted by wolfsleepy at 9:01 PM on January 10, 2007

I'm guessing a piece of debris is stuck in the track. Here's what I would do. Find a two-by-four, or a sturdy hardcover book, and try to unjam it. Rest the book against the edge of the frame and give it a good bang with your fist to force the frame to move along the track.

If it's still jammed, time to use leverage. Using a long two-by-four, or something long and very strong. Leverage it to force it along the track.

Either way avoid working in the middle of the frame, as that's the weakest place and where the glass might bust. Also be alert to the fact that the frame might come out... you may want to be ready to catch it if that happens.
posted by rolypolyman at 9:01 PM on January 10, 2007

Well, just hazarding a guess from my experience with casement windows and your photos, I'd give it a good bang with my left fist on the lower right corner of the frame while pulling back (into the room) on the upper left corner with my right hand.

Good luck!
posted by trip and a half at 9:02 PM on January 10, 2007

Oops, corner dyslexia! I meant bang on lower left corner while tugging on upper right. Anyway, seems like problem solved... stay warm!
posted by trip and a half at 9:04 PM on January 10, 2007

To prevent future sticking wax the tracks by rubbing a candle on them.
posted by caddis at 7:23 AM on January 11, 2007

after sweeping the tracks, you can also try WD40. It provides a nice lubricant for the wheels to pick up as well.
posted by blastrid at 2:51 PM on January 11, 2007