Patio Screen Door Repair - How to Do it Yourself

A damaged or worn sliding patio doors repairs screen door is not only ugly, it also creates an easy entry point for pests like mosquitoes and insects like flies. Although there are services to repair your patio screen door, it's relatively easy to do the work yourself.

Lay the screen flat on a surface. Remove the handle from the screen by removing the screws holding it in place.

Damaged Screens

Between the weather as well as pets and children, it's no surprise that tears and holes will surely appear on your door or window screens. These damaged sections are not just ugly, but they also let pests and flies in your home. Repairing these issues is fairly simple. While patch kits and screen repair tape provide a quick fix for minor damage, these products aren't suited to larger issues. This step-by-step guide will demonstrate how to replace and repair your screen windows and doors.

The first thing you need to do is evaluate the damage. Is it possible to salvage the frame or will it need to be replaced? It is important to consider this as windows and door screen frames are more susceptible to being damaged than the mesh. A bent frame could cause the screen to be out of alignment, causing holes or weak spots.

Once you've determined whether or not the frame is salvageable, you can begin to build the mesh. You'll need some essential tools to complete this task. This process requires a spline roll for pressing the spline into the frame, an utility knife and a pair of scissors. Utilizing these tools will ensure the highest quality and durability of your repairs.

If you have a large hole, start by removing as much of the old screen as possible to create a clean opening. Cut a new piece of screen material that is at least one half inch larger all around than the damaged area. If your window has a grid pattern, make sure that the patch matches with it. Trim the edges to remove any irregularities. Fold over the spline's ends to hide them.

Consider the climate of your area when purchasing a replacement screen. Aluminum screens are durable and resistant to snags while fiberglass mesh is popular for its low cost and flexibility. If your area is ravaged by mosquitos and other insects you might need to select a special mesh designed for insect screens. 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 can be a frustrating problem. It can make sliding patio door repairs near me the door difficult and even allow bugs to enter your home. The good thing is that fixing the rollers isn't as complicated or costly as replacing the entire door.

Begin by inspecting the rollers to determine what the issue is. It may be that the wheel has sunk out, or maybe the other end of the wheel has worn out due to constant contact with the track. The wheels are usually fitted with a push fit to the bracket, so you may be able to place a screwdriver behind the roller between it and the bracket and then try to pull it off. If you can't get the roller to come off, it might be helpful to spritz the shaft area with WD-40 prior to attempting again.

It is also important to examine the tracks from top to bottom. If they're bent, you can straighten them by placing a block of wood against the bent area and beating it with the Hammer. It's important to clean out the tracks, as well as they could hold dirt and sand.

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 be sure you're buying the correct model. If your door has more than one roller, you'll need to purchase enough to replace all of them.

Before installing the new roller make use of a screwdriver to loosen the adjustment screws or bolts on the inside of the frame, near the rollers. Once the screws have been loosened, you can remove rollers from the bottom. It's best to have someone assist you in this process to liberate your hands and concentrate on removing the rollers.

Once the new roller is installed after installation, the door can be raised back into place and the adjustment screws or bolts can be tightened. Verify the alignment of the track and rollers. If everything is in its proper place, your patio screen should slide in place easily.

Damaged Frame

There are many ways you can repair your screen door that is to stop it from rubbing against the frame. First, make sure that the hinges are tight. Loose hinges can cause doors to become stuck, which means it will stop when you open or close the door. If they're loose, tighten the hinge screws. If this fails, you may require sanding the frame's top to make it smooth.

A rotting frame is another frequent issue with screen doors. It can be costly to fix, since it typically requires replacing the entire frame. To avoid this, be on the watchful eye for signs of rot, and treat them immediately if you notice them. Find soft wood that is darker than the rest. Keep an eye out for any areas in which the wood is beginning to bow or warp. If you find any of these problems, call an expert.

You can repair a damaged frame by using mesh adhesive patch kits that costs from $2-$7. The kit comes with small pieces of mesh and glue that can be used to fix any holes in the screen. If the damage is minor you can attempt to repair it using wood filler. To do this, apply the filler to the damaged area, then wait for it to dry, and then smooth it with sandpaper.

You can buy a framelift that is a steel structure bolted onto your existing frame that lifts it up. It can be expensive, but it can be the best option if your frame is badly damaged or completely damaged or has rotted.

To make an easy stand for your screen door, you can build a leg from a scrap piece of wood or a photo frame display stand. Connect wires or brackets to the back of the frame 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 for your screen is the same as a damaged door or frame. It may appear to be an issue that is minor enough to be overlooked however, ignoring it long enough can let pests like flies and mosquitoes to slip through. This can quickly turn into the issue of a bigger scale that could lead to costly repairs or a new screen door.

The good news is that replacing a broken spline is simple and affordable, particularly if you already have the equipment. You will first need to remove the old spline from the screen door. This can be accomplished by placing the frame flat on a work surface, such as a table, or the ground. Take the spline off using the screwdriver. If the spline is particularly damaged or brittle, you might notice that it cracks as you try to pull it out of the groove.

When you are removing the old spline, ensure that you take off any caulking used to hold the spline in place. This will ensure that the new spline is capable of fitting into the grooves.

Make use of a utility blade to trim the screen around the frame once you have removed the old spline. This will ensure that you get an even, clean fit on all sides of the frame once you install the new 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. Begin with one of the shorter sides of the frame. Incorporate the spline into the screen channel using your splining device. Continue to roll the spline, pressing it into as you move. Continue this process for each side of the frame. As you are working make sure to keep the screen taut using spring clamps or tape.

Once you have splined all of the short sides of the frame, shift to the opposite side and repeat the process. Then, you can finish by splining both the top and bottom edges of the frame.