Patio Screen Door Repair Explained In Less Than 140 Characters

Patio Screen Door Repair - How to Do it Yourself

A worn or torn screen door is not just ugly; it's also a a convenient entryway for mosquitoes, flies and other pests. There are a variety of solutions to repair your patio screen doors but it is easy to fix yourself.

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

Damaged Screens

It's not a surprise that your window or door screens will develop tears and holes due to weather pets, children, and even pets. In addition to being ugly damaged, these sections let insects and flies to enter your home. The good news is that fixing these issues is relatively simple. While patch kits and screen repair tape offer an easy solution for minor damage, these products aren't suited to larger problems. This step-by-step guide will teach you how to repair tilt and slide patio door to properly repair and replace your screen doors and windows.

Assessing the damage is the first step. Can you salvage the frame or will it need to be replaced? This is crucial since, in general, window and door frame screens are more prone to being damaged than mesh. A bent frame can cause the screen to be out of place and cause holes or weak spots.

If you are able to determine if the frame is salvageable or not, you can start fixing the mesh. You'll require a few essential tools to complete this task. A spline roller for pressing the spline into the frame a utility knife and scissors are all essential to complete the process. These tools will guarantee precision and durability when you do repairs.

If you are dealing with a large hole, start by removing as much of the old screen as possible to make a clear opening. Cut a new patch of screen material that is at least a half inch wider in all directions 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 purchasing your replacement screen, be sure to take into consideration the climate of your region. Fiberglass mesh is a popular choice for its flexibility and affordability and aluminum screens provide durability and snag-proofing. You could also choose a specially designed insect screen mesh if your area is ravaged by mosquitos and other pests. Whatever type of screen you select, remember 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 frustrating inconvenience. It's not only making it difficult to move your door however, it can also allow bugs and other unwanted visitors to enter your home. The good news is that fixing your rollers won't be nearly as costly or complex as replacing your door.

Begin by looking at the rollers to determine what the problem is. It could be that the wheel is flattened out, or maybe one side of the wheel has worn out due to constant contact with the track. The wheels are generally mounted as a push fit on the bracket, so you may be able to place an screwdriver between it and the bracket, and try to lever off the roller. If you can't get the roller to come off, it may be beneficial to spray the shaft with WD-40 prior to attempting again.

It's also a good idea to look at the tracks from top and bottom. If they're bent you can straighten them by putting a piece of wood against the bent portion and hitting it with a Hammer. It is essential to wash the tracks well, as they may collect grit and dust.

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

Before installing the new roller make use of a screwdriver to loosen the bolts or adjustment screws on the inside of the door frame, close to the door rollers. After the screws are loosened, you can remove rollers from the bottom. This is best done by someone else so that you don't need to work with your hands.

After installing the new roller, the door can then be raised, and the bolts or screws for adjustment can be tightened. Examine the alignment of the track and the rollers. If everything is in the right place, your patio sliding door repair screen should slide into place easily.

Damaged Frame

If your screen door is rubbing against the frame, there are many ways to fix it. Make sure that the hinges are secure. A door can bind if the hinges are loose. If they're loose make sure you tighten the hinge screws. If this isn't working, you might have to sand the frame's top to smooth it.

Another common problem with screen doors is a rotting frame. This can be expensive to fix, since it usually involves replacing the entire frame. To avoid this, keep a watchful eye for signs of rot, and treat them immediately if you notice them. Find signs of decay by observing wood that appears darker than the rest of the frame. Keep an eye out for any areas where the wood is beginning to bow or warp. Contact a professional if notice any of these issues.

Repairing damaged frames by using a mesh adhesive patch kit costing between $2-$7. The kit includes a tiny piece of mesh and glue, that you can use to fill any holes in your screen. If the damage isn't too severe, you can try to repair it with wood filler. To do this, you will need to apply the wood filler to the affected area and wait for it to dry before sanding it smooth.

Framelifts can be purchased, which is a metal structure bolted onto the frame you already have that lifts it up. This is a costly alternative, but it is the best if your frame is badly damaged or rotted.

You can make a simple leg for your screen door by using scraps of wood or an old display stand for a photo frame. Connect wires or brackets to the back to hang the frame on the wall. You can even attach a piece of felt to the frame's bottom to protect your wall from scratches.

Broken Splines

A damaged screen spline could be just as frustrating to handle as damaged doors or frames. It might seem like something minor that could be ignored however, ignoring it long enough can allow pests like mosquitoes and flies to pass through. This could soon become a bigger problem and could cause more costly repairs or even a replacement screen door.

The good news is that replacing a broken spline is simple and inexpensive, especially if you already have the equipment. Before you begin, you will need to remove the old spline from the door frame. You can do this by laying the screen door frame flat on any surface, like a table or ground. Use a screwdriver to pry through the free spline and then pull it out. If the spline is particularly damaged or brittle, you might discover that it breaks when you attempt to pull it out of the groove.

As you remove 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 able to fit into the grooves.

Make use of a utility blade to trim the excess screen around the frame once you have removed the old spline. This will ensure a tight and straight fit across the entire frame once you have installed 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 it on one of the short sides of the frame. Lay the spline down and then begin rolling it with your splining device to work it into the screen channel. Continue to roll the spline, pressing it into as you move. Continue this process for each of the shorter sides 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, shift to the opposite side and repeat the process. Finalize by splining the top and bottom of the frame.