Window sill repair

Repairing a window sill has pretty much become a simplified affair, what with the advent and success of prefabricated windows and sills, trims and accessories for home improvement; it is just a matter of having the basic tools and the time and will to do it on your own.

A guide to window sill repair

The overall view towards window sill repair can be explained roughly in three important stages: taking out the old sill, cutting a replacement sill (or ordering one to exact measurements) and installing it. The first step would be to take the overall measurement for the dimensions of the windowsill, like width, length and thickness.

Next, the removal of the sash channel trim and side pieces of casing trim is required to get access to the sill, which may call for working it loose with a small pry bar. The pry bar may need to be rested on a scrap lumber to keep it from marking any other trim/wall.
After this, all the leftover nails in the walls and window jamb need to be pulled out with pliers through the back of the trim. The old sill is ready for removal now and this must be done with care. The old sill can be used as a template for the new one and the replacement lumber should be purchased along with 6d and 8d finish nails.

When the pattern of the old sill has been traced onto new lumber, it can be cut with a saber saw and using a fine-toothed blade, a smooth finish can be achieved.

Finishing touch to window sill repairs

After the new sill has been cut finely, there may be scope for a bit of sanding to even out exposed end grain cuts and then the fitting in can be done with the help of a few nails to hold it in place.

The trim can be repositioned with another few nails and then secured all over by countersinking them with a nail set. Wood putty can be used for filling in all nail holes and the sill is ready for painting or staining, whichever is preferred for the dcor in the room.

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