How To Unstick Stuck Windows

The bay windows that sold you on your new place won’t open and now you’re burning up and stripping down! Norma Vally has the scoop on how to air out your apartment before the next heat wave has you melting. After all, no girl should be forced to be naked at all hours at home. That is, of course, unless you have someone over. Wink!

How to Unstick Stuck Windows
Before you get a hernia trying to pull open a stuck window, make sure that it hasn’t been nailed closed by the past dweller. Once you’re sure it can be opened, it’s time to get out the utility knife. Most windows won’t open because they’ve been painted shut. Lazy, bad painters! The problem could also be due to sticky or too narrow window channels (the U-shaped frame around the window).

Remember: You will be working next to glass, so be careful not to get overzealous with your scraping and don’t break the pane.

Opening Windows That Are Painted Shut

TOOLS
• Utility knife
• Block of wood
• Hammer
• Scraper

1. At a sharp angle, run the utility knife where the sash (the framework that holds the pane) meets the sash groove (aka window channel). Work gently—it’s the paint you’re going after, not the frame.

2. Hold the block of wood against the sash of the window and lightly tap with the hammer in the direction the window needs to move in order to open. This should do the trick.

3. Once the window is open, pass the scraper up and down the sashes to scrape off the built-up paint.

Lubricating Window Channels

TOOLS
• Graphite spray lubricant