Patio Screen Door Repair It's Not As Expensive As You Think
Patio Screen Door Repair – How to Do it Yourself A damaged or worn screen door isn't just ugly; it's also a an ideal entry point for mosquitoes, flies and other bugs. There are many services that can repair your patio doors with screen, but it is easy to fix yourself. Then, lay the screen on a flat surface. Take the handle off by taking out the screws that secure it. Damaged Screens It's not too surprising that your door or window screens will eventually develop holes and tears due to weather, pets, and children. The damaged screens aren't only unsightly but also allow pests and flies into your home. Fortunately, repairing the problem is fairly easy. While patch kits and screen repair tape provide a quick fix for minor damage, these products don't work well on more serious issues. This step-by-step guide will teach you how to repair and replace your windows and doors for screen. The first thing you need to do is evaluate the damage. Is it possible to salvage the frame or will it need to be replaced? It is important to consider this since the frames of window and door screens are more susceptible to being damaged than mesh. A bent frame could pull the screen out of alignment, resulting in holes and weak spots in the mesh. Once you've determined whether the frame is salvageable or not, you can start fixing the mesh. To accomplish this, you'll need a few essential tools. A spline roller for pressing the spline into the frame, an utility knife and scissors are all required for this process. These tools will ensure precision and durability when you do repairs. If you are dealing with a large hole, begin by removing as much of the old screen as is possible to create a clean opening. Then, cut a patch of the new screen material so that it is at least half inch larger than the damaged area. If your window has a grid pattern, make sure that the patch matches to it. Trim the edges to remove any irregularities. Fold over the ends of spline to hide them. When you are purchasing a replacement screen, be sure to take into consideration the climate of the area you live in. Aluminum screens are strong and resistant to snags, while fiberglass mesh is a favorite for its low cost and flexibility. If your area is plagued by mosquitos and other insects You may need to select a special mesh designed for insect screens. Whatever type of mesh you pick, be sure you stretch it tightly across the frame to prevent wrinkles or sagging. Broken Rollers A damaged roller can be a gruelling issue. It can make sliding the door a challenge and also allow bugs to enter your home. The good news is that repair of your rollers isn't as costly or complex as replacing your door. Start by examining your rollers to identify the problem. It could be that the wheel has flattened out, or perhaps the other end of the wheel has worn out by constant contact with the track. Try to remove the wheels by inserting an screwdriver between the bracket and the roller. If you are unable to get the roller to lift off, it could be beneficial to spray the shaft area with WD-40 prior to trying again. Also, you should check the tracks from top to the bottom. You can straighten bent tracks by hammering a block of wood against the bent part. It's important to clean out the tracks as well, as they can trap grit and sand. Once you've identified the kind of roller that's broken you can buy a replacement. Bring your old rollers to the hardware store so that you are sure you're buying the correct type. Some doors have more than one roller, so make sure to purchase enough to replace them all. Use a screwdriver on the inside of your door frame, near the rollers to loosen the adjustment bolts or screws. After the screws are loose, you can remove the rollers from the bottom. It is best to have a person help you with this step to free up your hands to focus on getting rid of the rollers. Once the new roller is installed, the door can be raised and the bolts or screws that adjust can be tightened. Be sure to check the alignment of the rollers as well as the track, too. If everything is in order the patio screen door will slide easily into place. Damaged Frame There are a variety of ways to fix your screen door to stop it from rubbing against the frame. Make sure the hinges are tight. A door could be bowed if the hinges are loose. If they're loose make sure you tighten the hinge screws. If this doesn't work, you may have to sand the frame's top to smooth it. Another issue that is common to screen doors is a decaying frame. It is costly to repair as the frame needs to be replaced. To avoid this, be on the lookout for signs of rot, and treat them as soon as you notice them. You should look for wood that is darker than the rest. Also, keep an eye out for areas where the wood is beginning to bow or warp. Contact a professional if detect any of these problems. You can fix a damaged frame by using a mesh adhesive patch kit costing between $2-$7. The kit comes with small pieces of mesh and glue that can be used to fix any holes in the screen. If the damage isn't too severe you could also try fixing it with a wood filler. To do this apply the filler to the area that is damaged, wait for it to dry, then smooth it with sandpaper. For a more durable solution you can opt for a frame lift, which is a steel structure that is bolted onto your existing frame and lifts it up. It can be expensive however it could be the best option if your frame is badly damaged or completely rotted. To build a simple stand for your screen door, you can make legs from a scrap piece of wood or a picture frame display stand. Then, fasten the brackets or wire to the back of the frame to hang it on the wall. You can add a piece felt on the bottom to protect the wall from scratches. Broken Splines A damaged screen spline could be just as annoying to handle as a damaged frame or door. It may seem like an issue that is minor enough to be overlooked, but letting it go too long could allow pests like flies and mosquitoes to slip through. This could quickly turn into a bigger problem and could cause more costly repairs or even a replacement screen door. The good news is that replacing broken spline is relatively easy and affordable, particularly when you already have the equipment. First, you'll need take off the old screen door spline. You can do this by placing the frame of the screen door flat on any surface, like a table or a floor. Remove the spline by using the screwdriver. If the spline has gotten particularly worn or brittle, it could break when you attempt to take it from the groove. As you remove the old spline, make sure to also take off the caulking that was used to hold it in place. This will ensure that the new spline will be suitable for fitting into the grooves. Use a utility blade to trim the screen around the frame after you have removed the old spline. This will ensure a tight and straight fit on all sides of your frame when you install the spline. Installing the new spline is easy after you've cleaned the frame and cut the new screen material to the appropriate size. Start by putting Repair My Windows And Doors on one of the shorter sides of the frame. Place the spline on top, and begin rolling it with your splining tool to move it into the screen channel. Continue to roll the spline, pressing it into as you move. Repeat this process for all of the shorter sides of the frame. While you work, apply tape or spring clamps to keep the screen taut. Repeat the process for the second side once you have completed the splining of all short sides. Then, finish by splining the top and bottom of the frame.