17 Signs To Know If You Work With Patio Screen Door Repair
Patio Screen Door Repair – How to Do it Yourself A damaged or worn patio screen door isn't just ugly, but it also serves as an entrance for pests such as mosquitoes and flies. While there are services that will repair your patio screen door, it's relatively easy to do the job yourself. Lay the screen flat on a surface. Remove the handle from that side by taking out the screws that hold it in place. Damaged Screens It's not too surprising that your door or window screens will develop tears and holes due to weather pets, children, and even pets. Apart from looking ugly damaged, these sections let flies and other pests into your home. Fortunately, fixing these problems is fairly simple. While patch kits and screen repair tape offer an easy solution for minor damage, they don't work well on more serious issues. This step-bystep guide will show how to replace and repair your doors and windows. The first thing you need to do is assess the damage. Are the frames salvageable, or does it need to be replaced? This is vital since, in general, window and door screen frames are more prone to damage than mesh. A bent frame can cause the screen to become out of alignment, causing holes or weak spots. After you've decided whether the frame can be salvaged, you can begin to work on the mesh. To accomplish this you'll require a few essential tools. This process requires a spline roller for pressing the spline inside the frame, a utility knife and scissors. These tools ensure accuracy and durability in your repairs. If you have a large hole, begin by cutting away as much of the old screen as possible to make a clear opening. Cut link that is at least a half inch wider in all directions than the damaged portion. If your window is designed with grid pattern, make sure to match the patch to it. Trim the edges to eliminate any irregularities. Fold over the ends of spline to hide them. When buying a new screen, you should take into consideration the climate of your region. Aluminum screens are strong and resistant to snags while fiberglass mesh is well-known because of its cost and flexibility. If your area is ravaged by pests like mosquitoes and snagged insects you might prefer a specially-designed mesh for insect screens. Whatever type of screen you select, remember to stretch the material tautly over the frame in order to prevent wrinkles and sagging. Broken Rollers A broken roller can be a frustrating problem. Not only does it make sliding your door difficult however, it can also allow insects and other pests to get into your home. The good news is, repair of your rollers isn't as expensive or complicated as replacing your door. Begin by looking at the rollers to determine what the issue is. It could be that the wheel is flattened out, or maybe the other end of the wheel has worn out due to constant contact with the track. Try to remove the wheels by putting screwscrews between the roller and the bracket. If you're still unable to remove the roller, spray the shaft area with WD-40 and try it again. Also, you should examine the tracks from top to bottom. Straighten bent tracks by hammering an object of wooden against the bent portion. It's important to clean out the tracks, as well because they can hold dirt and sand. Once you've identified what kind of roller that's broken, you can purchase a replacement. Bring your old rollers to the hardware store so you can ensure you're purchasing the right type. If your door has more than one roller, you'll need to purchase enough to replace all of them. 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 assist you in this step to help you liberate your hands and concentrate on taking off the rollers. After installing the new roller the door can be raised and the adjustment screws or bolts are tightened. Make sure to verify the alignment of the rollers and track, too. If everything is in the right position the patio screen will slide into place easily. Frame Damaged There are a variety of ways you can repair your screen door that is rubbing against its frame. Check that the hinges are secure. Doors can become sluggish in the event that the hinges are loose. If they are loose, tighten the hinge screws. If this doesn't work, you might need to sand down the top of the frame. Another issue that is common to screen doors is a decaying frame. It can be costly to fix as the frame will need to be replaced. To avoid this, be on the eye out for signs of rot and address them when you spot them. Look for soft wood that is darker than the rest. Be aware of any areas in which the wood is beginning to bow or warp. If you find any of these problems contact an expert. You can fix a damaged frame by using mesh patch kits costing between $2-$7. The kit comes with a small piece of mesh and glue that you can use to cover any holes in your screen. If the damage is minor you can attempt to repair it with wood filler. To do this, you'll need to apply the wood filler on the damaged area and wait for it to be dry before sanding it smooth. For a more durable solution you can opt for frame lifts, which is a structure made of metal that is bolted onto your frame and raises it up. This can be very expensive, but it can be the best option if your frame has been severely damaged or completely decayed. You can make a simple leg for your screen door by using wood scraps or an old photo frame display stand. Then, secure the brackets or wire to the back of the frame to hang it on the wall. You can even attach a piece of felt to the bottom of the frame to protect your wall from scratches. Broken Splines A broken screen spline is similar to a damaged door or frame. It may appear to be something minor that could be overlooked and left unaddressed for too long could allow pests such as mosquitoes and flies to pass through. This could quickly become a larger problem, resulting in expensive repairs or the need for a new screen door. It is not difficult to repair a damaged screen spline when you have the proper tools. You will first need to remove the old spline for your screen door. This can be done by placing the frame flat on a work surface, such as a table, or the ground. Make use of a screwdriver in order to pry up the free end of the spline and then pull it out. If the spline is especially worn or brittle, it could break when you attempt to take it from the groove. As you remove the old spline, be sure to also remove the caulking that was used to hold it in place. This will ensure that the new spline is properly fitted in the grooves. When you have removed all of the old spline a utility knife to trim any excess screen from around the frame. This will ensure a tight and straight fit on all sides of your frame once you have installed the spline. When you have a clean frame and have the new screen material cut to size, it's time to start installing the new spline. Start with the short side of the frame. Lay the spline in place, and then begin rolling it using your splining device to work it into the screen channel. Continue to roll the spline, pushing it in as you go. Repeat this process on each side of the frame. While you work, apply spring clamps or tape to keep the screen taut. After you have splined all of the short sides of the frame, move to the other side and repeat the process. Complete by splining both of the bottom and top edges of the frame.