Swisco,
i'm not sure if I need to replace my balance springs or not. My windows were put in June, 2005. They are extremely hard to open and close throughout the entire house. It's hard to believe that all balance springs went bad, or if they were simply installed incorrectly. What do you think?
Thanks a ton!
Jason
11 Replies
Good morning, Jason.
You can check the balances by removing them from the shoe and using a charging tool to test the spring pressure. Also, it could be that your pivot shoes are old and not opening properly. The break on the back of the pivot shoe might be stuck in the breaking position.
Thanks for responding so quickly, Dave. That's a good point you raise about the pivot shoes. I took out my balance springs and just used the pivot shoes. It has the same level of resistance and there doesn't seem to be any difference in the upward/doward motion (with window sash in place).
When I pull up and down on the pivot shoes (w/o window sash), they have some resistance, and don't seem to be moving freely.
What do you think?
Thank you!
Jason
Jason, you can use a silicone-based spray on the track to see if that loosens the pivot shoes.
Do you have spiral window balances? Or do you have another kind?
Hello Paul,
I finally weighed my windows. They are approximately 25 lbs. The window diameter is 34" wide and 30 1/2" long (vertical). The swivel balances are about 29 1/2" long. I am wondering if the balances are too small for my windows. What do you think?
Thank you,
Jason
Hi Paul,
Thanks responding so quickly. Currently, I have the yellow-tipped balances. I purchased a orange tipped balance from my local window store, but it didn't seem to do the trick. You suggested the blue-tipped balances for the weight of my window sash. Do the different colors signify different weight classes? Maybe I should have bought blue-tipped balance from my local window store (for my window sash that weighs 25 lbs.). What do you think?
Thank you,
Jason
The different colors do, indeed, signify different weight classes. Blue may work better, but the Red will carry 7 through and including 29 lbs.
Are you charging the spiral enough times?
Also, too many turns may lead to breaking the balance, take your time adding equal amount of turns to each side.
That's great news! I'm so glad to hear that everything worked out for you. Please let us know if you have any other questions, and we would be more than happy to help!