I went to open a double hung window last week to test the lift springs. As soon as I unlocked the window the upper window slammed down on my finger in a split second……ouch!
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Odd, the upper sash is usually in the outer track.
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Bob, the upper window was in the outer track, but it had a lip at the top to assist in pushing the window up. My finger got smashed between the top of the lower window and that lip on the upper window.
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I bet that hurt Big Time!
Hope the damage to your finger is minimal.
What style of double hung window lift springs, Randy. So inspectors have an idea of what to watch out for.
You have an image of the double hung window in question?
Hopefully your finger provided enough cushion to prevent damage to the glass.
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I try to make it a point to hold the top sash when unlocking. But I sometimes catch myself not doing it. A crushed finger is a good mental reminder, lol.
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Wow sorry Randy
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Ditto!
Common problem in (the frigid cold of) Minnesota.
Extreme Freeze / Thaw tends to damage vinyl window assemblies!
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Yep, been there done that, my experience was with a older window with the rope and window weights, unlocked the sash lock and down comes the upper sash, it takes about two months for the black finger nail to grow out.
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I did that exact thing once and my finger looked pretty much like Randy’s. I was complacent since 99% of the upper sashes are painted shut. I found one that wasn’t… and it seemed like someone put lithium grease on the track right before I got there
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id say at 30 years you were past due,
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Wisdom has spoken…
12-15 years ago did something similar. I raised the sash. With a hand in the opening I leaned in to see something and the sash guillotined down and broke my middle finger. I sucked it up and continued the inspection.
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Thank you for the illustration. I run into that style of double hung - double sash, tilting windows.
Question to anyone. Why would the manufacturer put a 90° degree, 1" inch protruding plastic strap at the bottom of the top sash? Some sort of inner drip cap?
Thank you again, Randy.
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Exact same thing happened to me yesterday. Smaller bruise. 85 yr old seller did not hear my profanities, she had Fox News up loud on 3 tv’s
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Same sort of thing here … About 37 years into inspecting I raised a sash and had my hand in the opening … Damn thing dropped and although I jerked my hand back quickly it rubbed my nails and messed up my fresh manicure from that morning.
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Around here the only double hung we see are older than dirt and usually painted shut.
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As a beginner, I will definitely remember this whenever I encounter this type of window! Ouch!
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This is a potentially hazardous profession. Hazards lurk around every corner.
Always keep focused on your actions as you move about, and especially where you place your feet.
I once stepped on a piece of plastic sheeting (in a basement with concrete slab) that had another smaller piece of plastic sheeting beneath it.
Plastic shifted and threw me down onto my side. My shoulder was messed up for days!!