10 No-Fuss Methods For Figuring Out Your Patio Screen Door Repair

Patio Screen Door Repair - How to Do it Yourself

A damaged or worn screen door for your patio is not only ugly, it also provides an easy entryway for pests like mosquitoes and Flies. While there are services that can repair your patio screen door, it's relatively easy to do the job yourself.

First, lay the screen on a flat work surface. Remove the handle from that side by taking out the screws that hold it in the position.

Damaged Screens

It's not too surprising that your door or window screens will begin to develop holes and tears due to weather animals, children, and pets. Aside from being unsightly damaged, these sections let insects and flies to enter your home. The good news is that fixing the problem is fairly easy. While patch kits and screen repair tape offer an easy fix for minor damage, they do not work for larger problems. This step-by-step guide will show you how to correctly repair and replace your screen doors and windows.

Analyzing the damage is the first step. Are there ways to salvage the frame, or will it need replacing? It is important to consider this since window and door screens frames are more susceptible to being damaged than the mesh. A bent frame could 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 or not, you can begin fixing the mesh. For this task you'll require some essential tools. This procedure requires a spline roller for pressing the spline inside the frame, a utility knife and scissors. Using these tools ensures the highest quality and durability of your repairs.

If you have a huge hole in your screen, start by removing as much as possible of the old material to create a clean space. Cut a new piece of screen material that is at least half an inch wider all around than the damaged part. Make sure the patch matches the grid pattern of your window in the event that it has one. Finally cut the edges of the patch to remove any irregularities and fold them over the top of the spline to conceal the edges.

When buying a new screen, be sure to take into consideration the climate of your region. Aluminum screens are durable and resistant to snags, while fiberglass mesh is popular because of its cost and flexibility. You could also opt for a specialized insect screen mesh if your area is ravaged by mosquitoes and other pests. Whatever kind of screen you select, remember to stretch the material tautly over the frame to prevent sagging and wrinkles.

Broken Rollers

A broken roller on your patio screen door can be a frustrating inconvenience. Not only does it make it difficult to move your door, but it can let bugs and other undesirables to enter your home. The good thing is that fixing your rollers won't be nearly as expensive or difficult as replacing your door.

Begin by looking at your rollers to determine the problem. You might find that the wheel is flattened or worn out on one side because of the constant contact with track. The wheels are usually mounted as a push fit on the bracket, so you might be able to put a screwdriver between the bracket and the roller, and try to lever off the roller. If you're still unable to remove the roller you can spray the shaft with WD-40 and try it again.

It's also a good idea to look at the tracks from both at the top and bottom. Straighten bent tracks by hammering a block of wood against the bent portion. It is important to wash the tracks well as they can be a source of dust and grit.

Once you've identified the kind of roller that's broken you can purchase a new one. Bring your old rollers to the hardware store so you can ensure you're purchasing the correct model. If your door has more than one roller, you'll need to purchase enough to replace all of them.

Use  Repair My Windows And Doors  of the door frame, near the rollers to loosen the screws or bolts that adjust the door. Once the screws have been loose, you can remove the rollers from the bottom. It's best to have someone assist you in this step to liberate your hands to focus 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 bolts or screws that adjust can be tightened. Make sure to verify the alignment of the rollers and track, too. If everything is in the right position your patio screen will slide in place easily.

Damaged Frame

There are many ways you can fix your screen door that is rubbing against its frame. First, make sure that the hinges are in good condition. Loose hinges can cause doors to be locked, meaning it will stop when you open or close the door. If they're loose, simply tighten the hinge screws. If this does not work then you may need to sand down the top of the frame.

Another issue that is common to screen doors is a decaying frame. It can be expensive to repair as the frame needs to be replaced. To avoid this, keep a watchful eye for signs of rot and treat them when you spot them. Find signs of decay by observing wood that appears darker than the rest of the frame. Also, keep an eye out for areas that have started to bow or warp. If you spot any of these issues contact a professional.

A mesh patch kit can be used to repair a damaged frame. These kits cost between $2 to $7. The kit includes tiny pieces of mesh and glue that you can use to repair any holes in the screen. If the damage isn't too severe it is possible to repair it using wood filler. To accomplish this, you'll have to apply the wood filler on the affected area and wait for it to dry before sanding it smooth.

For a more durable solution you can purchase frame lifts, which is a steel structure that bolts onto the frame you have and lifts it up. This is a very expensive option, but is the most effective option if your frame has been badly damaged or has rotted.

You can build an easy leg for your screen door by using wood scraps or an old display stand for your photo frame. Then, fasten an anchor 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 the wall from scratches.

Broken Splines

A damaged screen spline can be just as frustrating to handle as damaged doors or frames. It may appear to be a minor issue that can be overlooked however, ignoring it too long can let pests like mosquitoes and flies to pass through. This could quickly become the issue of a bigger scale that could lead to costly repairs or a new screen door.

It is easy to repair a damaged spline, particularly if you have the right tools. First, you'll need to take off the old screen door spline. This can be done by placing the frame flat on a work surface, like a table or the ground. Remove the spline using the screwdriver. If the spline has gotten extremely worn or brittle it could break when you attempt to take it from the groove.

When you're removing the old spline make sure that you also remove any caulking used to keep the spline in place. This will ensure that the new spline is suitable for fitting into the grooves.

Make use of a utility blade to cut the excess screen around the frame after you have removed the old spline. This will ensure a snug, smooth fit across the entire frame once you have installed the spline.

Installing the new spline is simple after you have cleaned the frame and cut the new material to size. Start with the short side of the frame. Lay the spline in place, and then begin rolling it using your splining tool to work it into the screen channel. Continue to roll the spline, bringing it in as you move. Repeat this process on each short side of the frame. While you work, try to keep the screen taut by using tape or spring clamps.

Once you have splined each of the short sides of the frame shift to the opposite side and repeat the process. Complete by splining both of the top and bottom edges of the frame.