Patio Screen Door Repair - How to Do it Yourself

A worn or torn screen door isn't just unsightly; it provides an ideal entrance point for flies, mosquitoes, and other bugs. While there are companies that can repair your patio door repair near me screen door, it's fairly simple to do the work yourself.

First, lay the screen on a flat surface. Remove the handle from the screen by removing the screws that hold it in place.

Damaged Screens

It's not a surprise that your door or window screens will develop holes and tears as a result of weather pets, children, and even pets. Aside from being unsightly the damaged screens allow insects and flies to enter your home. Fortunately, fixing these problems is fairly simple. Patch kits and screen repair tap are quick fixes for minor damage. However, they don't work as well on more serious issues. This step-bystep guide will show how to repair and replace your doors and windows.

The first thing to do is assess the damage. Is it possible to salvage the frame or will it need replacing? This is crucial since, in general, window and door screen frames are more prone to damage than the mesh. A bent frame could cause the screen to be out of alignment and create holes or weak spots.

Once you've determined whether the frame can be salvaged, you can begin to tackle the mesh. To accomplish this you'll require some essential tools. A spline roller for pressing the spline into the frame, a utility knife and scissors are all required for this process. These tools will guarantee precision and durability when you make repairs.

If you have a huge hole in your screen, start by removing as much possible of the old material to create a clean space. Then cut a patch of new screen material in a way that it is at a minimum half inch bigger all around than the damaged area. If your window is designed with grid pattern, make sure the patch is in line with it. Then, trim the edges of your patch to remove any irregularities and fold over the ends of the spline to conceal the edges.

When purchasing your replacement screen, make sure you take into consideration the climate of your area. Fiberglass mesh is a popular choice because of its flexibility and affordability, while aluminum screens offer strength and snag-resistance. You may also wish to select a special insect screen mesh if your area is plagued with mosquitoes or other insects. Whatever kind of screen you choose, remember to stretch the fabric tautly over the frame in order to prevent sagging and wrinkles.

Broken Rollers

A damaged roller can be a major issue. Not only does it make sliding your door difficult, but it can also allow insects and other pests to get into your home. The good news is that repairing the rollers doesn't have to be as difficult or costly as replacing your entire glass patio door repair.

Begin by looking at your rollers to identify the problem. You might find that the wheel has sunk or worn out on one end because of constant contact with track. The wheels are usually fitted with a push fit to the bracket, so you might be able to put a screwdriver behind the roller between it and the bracket and then try to pull off the roller. If you're unable to get the roller to fall off, it could be helpful to spritz the shaft with WD-40 prior to attempting again.

It's an excellent idea to examine the tracks, both at the top and bottom. If they're bent you can straighten them by putting a piece of wood against the bent part and rapping it with the hammer. It is crucial to wash the tracks well as they could collect grit and dust.

Once you've identified the type roller that is damaged then you can purchase a replacement. Make sure you bring your old rollers to the hardware store to ensure that you purchase the right type. Some doors have more than one roller, so make sure to buy enough rollers to replace them all.

Use a screwdriver to the inside 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 is best to have a person help you with this step to free up your hands and focus on taking off the rollers.

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

Damaged Frame

There are a variety of ways you can repair the screen door that is to stop it from rubbing against the frame. Check that the hinges are in good shape. Loose hinges can cause doors to bind, which means it will stop when you open or close the door. If they're loose make sure you tighten the hinge screws. If this isn't working then you may need to sand down the frame's top.

Another issue that is common to screen doors is a rotting frame. It can be expensive to fix, since it usually involves replacing the entire frame. To avoid this, be on the lookout for any signs of decay. Make sure to treat them as soon as you notice them. You should look for wood that is darker than the rest. Keep an eye on areas where the wood is beginning to bow or warp. If you find any of these issues contact a professional.

You can repair damaged frames with a mesh adhesive patch kit that costs from $2-$7. The kit includes a tiny piece of mesh and glue which can be used to cover any holes in your screen. If the damage is minimal you could also attempt to repair it using a wood filler. To accomplish this, you'll have to apply the wood filler to the affected area and then wait for it to be dry before sanding it smooth.

Framelifts can be purchased which is a metallic structure that is bolted to the frame you already have that lifts it. This can be very expensive however it is the best choice if your frame is severely damaged or has completely rotted.

To build an easy stand for your screen door you can make a leg from a scrap piece of wood or even a photo frame display stand. Attach brackets or wires to the back to place the frame on the wall. You can also attach a piece of felt to the frame's bottom to shield your wall from scratches.

Broken Splines

A broken screen spline can be just as annoying to handle as a damaged frame or door. It may seem like an issue that is easy to ignore. However, if you let it go for too long, pests like insects and mosquitoes can get through. This could soon become an issue that is more serious and could cause more costly repairs or even a new screen door.

It is simple to replace a broken screen spline if you have the right tools. First, you'll need take off the old screen door spline. 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 open the free spline and then pull it out. If the spline has become extremely worn or brittle it could break when you try to remove it from the groove.

While you are pulling out the old spline, ensure that you take off any caulking used to keep the spline from moving. This will ensure that the new spline will be suitable for fitting into the grooves.

Use a utility blade to cut the excess screen around the frame after you have removed the old spline. This will ensure a snug and straight fit on all sides of your frame when you install the spline.

Installing the new spline is simple after you have cleaned the frame and cut the new screen material to the appropriate size. Start on the short side of the frame. The spline should be rolled into the screen channel using your splining device. Continue rolling the spline and pushing it into the screen channel as you go. Repeat this process for all of the short sides of the frame. As you are working try to keep the screen taut with tape or spring clamps.

Repeat the process for the second side after you have completed the splining of all the short sides. Finally, finish by splining the top and bottom of the frame.