5 Patio Screen Door Repair Myths You Should Stay Clear Of

Patio Screen Door Repair – How to Do it Yourself A worn-out or torn patio screen door is not only ugly, it also provides an easy entry point for pests like mosquitoes and insects like flies. Although there are services that can repair your patio screen door, it's fairly simple to do the work yourself. Lay the screen flat on a work surface. Remove the handle from the screen by taking out the screws that hold it in place. Damaged Screens Between the weather, pets and kids It's not a surprise that tears and holes are bound to be found in your window or door screens. In addition to being ugly damaged, these sections let pests and flies into your home. Fortunately, repairing these issues is relatively simple. Patch kits and screen repair taps are quick fixes for minor damage. However, they do not work as well on more serious problems. This step-bystep guide will show you how to correctly repair and replace your screen doors and windows. Examining Resource is the first step. Can the frame be repaired or does it require to be replaced? This is important since, in general, window and door screen frames are more susceptible to damage than the mesh. A bent frame can pull the screen out of alignment, which can result in holes and weak spots in the mesh. Once you've determined whether the frame is salvageable then you can begin to build the mesh. You'll require a few essential tools to accomplish this task. This process requires a spline roll for pressing the spline into the frame, an utility knife and a pair of scissors. Using these tools ensures precision and durability in your repairs. If you have a huge hole in your screen, begin by removing as much as possible of the old material to make a clean space. Then cut a patch of the new screen material so that it is at a minimum half an inch larger than the damaged area. If your window is designed with grid patterns, be sure that the patch matches to it. Then, trim the edges of your patch to remove any irregularities and fold over the ends of the spline in order to hide the edges. Be aware of the climate of your region when you are looking to purchase a new screen. Fiberglass mesh is a popular choice for its flexibility and affordability and aluminum screens provide durability and snag-proofing. You might also opt for a specialized insect screen mesh if your area is ravaged by mosquitoes or other insects. Whatever type of screen you pick be sure to stretch the material tightly over the frame to prevent sagging and wrinkles. Broken Rollers A broken roller on your patio screen door could be a harrowing inconvenience. It can make sliding the door difficult and allow bugs to get inside your home. The good thing is that repair of your rollers isn't as costly or complex as replacing your door. Start by examining your rollers to determine the issue. It may be that the wheel has flattened out, or perhaps one end of the wheel is 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're still unable to remove the roller then spray the shaft with WD-40 and try it again. It's also a good idea to look at the tracks from top and bottom. You can straighten bent tracks by hammering a block of wood against the bent portion. It is crucial to keep the tracks clean as well, as they may collect grit and dust. Once you've identified what kind of roller that's broken, you can purchase a new one. Be sure to take your old rollers with you to the hardware store to ensure you purchase the correct model. If your door has more than one roller, you'll need to buy enough to replace them all. Before installing the new roller make use of a screwdriver to loosen the bolts or screws that adjust the door. on the inside of the door frame, near the door rollers. Once the screws are loose, you can remove the rollers from the bottom of the door. It is best to have a person help you with this step to free up your hands and concentrate on getting rid of the rollers. After the new roller has been installed after installation, the door can be raised back into place and the adjustment screws or bolts can be tightened. Examine the alignment of the track and the rollers. If everything is in order your patio screen door will slide easily into its place. Damaged Frame If your screen door is rubbing against the frame, there are several ways to correct it. Check that the hinges are in good shape. Doors can become sluggish if the hinges are loose. If they are loose, simply tighten the hinge screws. If this isn't working, you might have to sand the frame's top to make it smooth. A rotting frame is a common problem with screen door. It can be costly to repair, since it typically involves replacing the entire frame. To avoid this, be on the eye out for signs of rot, and treat them as soon as you notice them. Look for signs of decay by looking for wood that appears darker than the rest of the frame. Keep an eye out for any areas in which the wood is beginning to bow or warp. Contact a professional if observe any of these issues. A mesh patch kit can be used to fix damaged frames. These kits cost between $2 to $7. The kit comes with a small piece of mesh and glue, which can be used to cover any holes in your screen. If the damage isn't too severe, you can try to fix it with wood filler. To do this apply the filler on the damaged area, then wait for it to dry, and then sand it smooth. Framelifts can be purchased, which is a metal structure bolted onto the frame you already have that lifts it. This can be a costly option, but it can be the best option if your frame has been severely damaged or is completely decayed. You can build an easy leg for your screen door with scraps of wood or an old display stand for your photo frame. Then, fasten the brackets or wire to the back of the frame to hang it on the wall. You can also attach a piece of felt to the bottom of the frame to protect your wall from scratches. Broken Splines A damaged screen spline can be just as frustrating as a damaged door or frame. It may appear to be a minor issue that can be ignored however, ignoring it long enough can allow pests such as mosquitoes and flies to pass through. This can quickly turn into an issue that is more serious that could lead to costly repairs or a new door screen. The good news is that replacing damaged spline can be relatively simple and inexpensive, especially if you already have the equipment. First, you'll need remove the old spline from the screen door. You can do this by laying the frame of the screen door flat on any surface like a table or a floor. Pull the spline out using the screwdriver. If the spline appears to be particularly damaged or brittle, you might discover that it breaks when you try to pull it out of the groove. When you are removing the old spline, make sure you remove 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. Once you have removed all the old spline a utility knife to trim any excess screen from around the frame. This will ensure that you have an even, clean fit on all sides of the frame once you put in the new spline. Once you have a clean frame and have the new screen material cut to size, it is time to install the new spline. Start by putting it on one of the shorter sides of the frame. The spline should be rolled into the screen channel using your splining device. Continue to roll the spline, pushing it in as you go. Continue this process for each side of the frame. While you work try to keep the screen taut using spring clamps or tape. Once you have splined each of the short sides of the frame move to the opposite side and repeat the process. Finalize by splining the top and bottom of the frame.