Spiral Balance Failure

Home Owner from San Antonio

Aug 3, 2015 11:53 am

I have GA non-tilt windows that were installed in the 1997/1998 time frame. Several balances have failed. They look like your Series 400 spiral balances; however, they have no colored tip. They are 30 inches in length and 3/8 in diameter. See the picture I have enclosed. I would appreciate your advice on the proper replacement balances. Thanks, Jack

User submitted a photo of a spiral balance.

4 Replies

Paul from SWISCO

Aug 5, 2015 11:28 am

Thanks for posting, Jack. I agree, our S400-30 looks like a good match. You will need to weigh your sash to determine the proper color tip option. Two S400-30 balances with a Red Tip can support a sash weighing 10 through 22 pounds, while the two balances with a Green Tip can support 14 through 26 pounds.

Home Owner

Aug 5, 2015 12:00 pm

Paul, I was afraid you were going to say that. For the life of me, I can't see any way to remove the sash from the window frame itself. Fits snugly in the track as I've tried to show in the attached photos. What am I missing?

User submitted photos of window hardware.

Paul from SWISCO

Aug 6, 2015 11:48 am

That's normal. Some non-tilt sashes are not made to be removed. You will have to try your best to calculate the weight, though. You could detach the balances, place a scale on the sill, then gently lower the sash onto it. It's not the most accurate thing in the world but it would be better than nothing.