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A Proactive Rant About Patio Screen Door Repair
Patio Screen Door Repair - How to Do it Yourself

A worn or torn screen door is not only ugly, it also provides an ideal entry point for mosquitoes, flies and other bugs. While there are services that will repair your patio screen door, it is quite simple to complete the work yourself.

Lay the screen flat on a surface. Take the handle off by taking out the screws that hold it in place.

Damaged Screens

Between weather children, pets, and weather It's not a surprise that holes and tears will surely be found in your window or door screens. In addition to being ugly the damaged screens allow pests and flies into your home. Repairing these problems is easy. While patch kits and screen repair tape provide an easy solution for minor damage, they aren't suited to larger problems. This step-bystep guide will show you how to properly repair and replace your screen doors and windows.

The first thing to do is evaluate the damage. Can you salvage the frame, or will it need to be replaced? It is important to consider this since windows and door screen frames are more likely to be damaged than mesh. A bent frame may cause the screen to become out of place and cause holes or weak spots.

Once you've determined whether the frame is salvageable and you're ready to tackle the mesh. You'll require a few essential tools to complete this task. A spline roller that presses the spline into the frame scissors and a utility knife are all necessary to complete the process. These tools will ensure accuracy and durability when making repairs.

If you have a large hole, begin by cutting away as much of the old screen as you can to create a clean opening. Then cut a patch of the new screen material in a way that it is at a minimum half an inch larger than the damaged area. If your window has a grid pattern, make sure that the patch matches to it. Then trim the edges of your patch to eliminate any irregularities and fold them over the top of the spline to cover the edges.

Consider the climate of your locale when you are looking to purchase a new screen. Aluminum screens are strong and resistant to snags, while fiberglass mesh is well-known because of its cost and flexibility. You might also opt for a specialized insect screen mesh if your area is ravaged by mosquitoes or other pests. Whatever kind of insect screen you select, make sure to stretch it tautly across the frame to prevent wrinkles or sagging.

Broken Rollers

A broken roller can be a frustrating problem. It can make moving the door difficult and even allow bugs to enter your home. The good news is, repair of your rollers isn't as expensive or complicated as replacing your door.

Begin by looking at your rollers to find the issue. You may find that the wheel is flattened or worn out on one end due to the constant contact with track. You can try to take off the wheels by inserting a screwdriver between the bracket and the roller. If you are still unable to remove the roller, spray the shaft area with WD-40 and try again.

It's recommended to look at the tracks from top and bottom. You can straighten bent tracks by hammering a piece of wooden against the bent portion. It's important to clean out the tracks as well because they can hold grit and sand.

Once you've identified the type of roller that's broken, you can purchase a new one. Bring your old rollers to the hardware store so you can be sure you're buying the right type. Some doors have more than one roller, so be sure to purchase enough to replace them all.

Use a screwdriver on the inside of your door frame near the rollers to loosen the screws or bolts for adjustment. Once the screws have been loose, you can take the rollers from the bottom. This task should be done by someone else so that you don't need to use your hands.

Once the new roller is installed, the door can be raised back into place and the adjustment screws or bolts can be tightened. Check the alignment of both the track and rollers. If everything is correctly positioned, your patio screen door should be able to slide effortlessly into position.

Damaged Frame

If your screen door is getting caught against the frame, there are many solutions to fix it. First, make sure the hinges are tight. Doors can become sluggish when hinges are loose. If they're loose make sure you tighten the hinge screws. If this does not work, you might need to sand down the frame's top.

A rotting frame is another common issue with screens. It is costly to repair as the frame will have to be replaced. To avoid this, keep a lookout for signs of rot and treat them as soon as you notice them. Check for signs of decay by looking for wood that looks darker than the rest of the frame. Also, keep an eye on areas that have started to bow or warp. If you spot any of these problems you should contact a professional.

A mesh patch kit can be used to fix damaged frames. The cost of these kits is between $2 and $7. The kit includes tiny pieces of mesh and glue that can be used to fix any holes in the screen. If the damage is minimal, you can also try fixing it with a wood filler. To do this apply the filler on the damaged area, then wait for it to dry, then sand it smooth.

For a more durable solution you can purchase a frame lift, which is a metal structure that is bolted onto your frame and raises it up. It is a costly option, but can be the best option if your frame is badly damaged or rotted.

To create a simple stand for your screen door, you can make legs from a scrap piece of wood or even a photo frame display stand. Attach brackets or wires to the back of the frame to hang the frame on the wall. You can also add a piece of felt to the bottom of the frame to protect the wall from scratches.

Broken Splines

A damaged screen spline for your screen is just as frustrating as damaged frames or doors. This may seem like an issue that can be overlooked. However, if you leave it unattended for too long, pests such as mosquitoes and flies may slip through. This could soon become an issue that is more serious and could result in more costly repairs or even a replacement screen door.

It is easy to replace a broken spline, particularly if you have the right tools. You will first need to take off the old spline for your screen door. This can be done by placing the screen door frame flat on a surface such as a table or the ground. Make use of a screwdriver in order to pry through the free spline and then pull it out. If the spline is extremely worn or brittle it may break as you attempt to remove it from the groove.

When you are removing the old spline, make sure you remove the caulking used to keep it in place. This will help ensure that the new spline is properly fitted into the grooves.

Once you have removed all the old spline a utility knife to trim any excess screen off the frame. This will ensure a secure and smooth fit on all sides of your frame after you install the spline.

Installing the new spline is easy once you have cleaned the frame and cut the new material to size. Start on patio door replacement glass repairmywindowsanddoors of the frame. Incorporate the spline into the screen channel using the splining device. Continue rolling the spline, and pushing it into the screen channel as you go. Continue this process on each short side of the frame. While you are working make sure to keep the screen taut with spring clamps or tape.

Once you have splined all of the short sides of the frame, shift to the opposite side and repeat the process. Finalize by splining the top and bottom of the frame.