Patio Screen Door Repair - How to Do it Yourself

A damaged or worn screen door isn't only ugly, it also provides an ideal entrance point for flies, mosquitoes and other insects. While there are services that can repair your glass patio door repair screen door, it's relatively easy to do the work yourself.

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

Screens damaged

It's not too surprising that your door or window screens will eventually develop holes and tears as a result of weather, pets, and children. In addition to being ugly, these damaged sections allow pests and flies into your home. Repairing these problems is simple. Screen repair kits and patch kits tap are quick fixes for minor damage. However, they don't work as well on larger issues. This step-bystep guide will show you how to repair tilt and slide patio door to repair and replace your windows and doors for screen.

Assessing the damage is the first step. Can you salvage the frame, or will it need to be replaced? It is important to take into consideration this as the frames of window and door screens 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 areas in the mesh.

Once you know whether the frame is salvageable or not, you can start working on the mesh itself. For this job you'll require a few essential tools. This procedure calls for a spline roll pressing the spline in the frame, an utility knife and scissors. These tools will guarantee precision and durability when you do repairs.

If you are dealing with an extensive hole, start by removing as much of the old screen as possible to create a clean opening. Cut an entirely new screen material that is at least one half inch larger than the damaged portion. If your window has grid pattern, make sure the patch is in line with it. Cut the edges to eliminate any irregularities. Fold over the ends of spline to conceal them.

Take into consideration the climate of your region when buying a replacement screen. Aluminum screens are strong and resistant to snags while fiberglass mesh is a favorite for its low cost and flexibility. You may also wish to opt for a specialized insect screen mesh if you live in an area that is a victim of mosquitoes and other insects. Whatever type of screen material you pick, be sure to stretch it tautly across the frame to avoid sagging or wrinkles.

Broken Rollers

A broken roller can be a frustrating problem. It can make moving the door difficult and allow bugs to get inside your home. The good thing is that fixing the rollers doesn't have to be as difficult or costly as replacing your entire door.

Start by examining the rollers to determine what the problem is. It could be that the wheel has flattened or worn out on one end due to the constant contact with the track. You can try to take off the wheels by inserting an screwdriver between the roller and the bracket. If you're unable to get the roller to fall off, it might be helpful to spritz the shaft area with WD-40 prior to trying again.

It's recommended to take a look at the tracks, top and bottom. You can straighten bent tracks by hammering a block of wood against the bent part. It is important to clean the tracks, too as they could hold dirt and sand.

Once you've identified what kind of roller that's broken, you can buy a replacement. Bring your old rollers to the hardware store so you can be sure you're buying the correct type. Some doors have more than one roller, so make sure to purchase enough to replace them all.

Use a screwdriver to the inside of your door frame, near the rollers to loosen the screws or bolts for adjustment. Once the screws have been loose, you can remove the rollers from the bottom. It is recommended to have someone assist you in this step, so that you can unwind your hands and concentrate on removing the rollers.

After the new roller has been installed, the door can be lowered back to its original position and the bolts or screws that adjust can be tightened. Examine the alignment of the track and the rollers. If everything is properly positioned your patio door repair screen door should easily slide into its place.

Frame Damaged

There are many ways to repair the screen door that is rubbing against its frame. First, make sure that the hinges are in good condition. Doors can become sluggish if the hinges are loose. If they are loose, simply tighten the hinge screws. If this doesn't work, you may require sanding the top of the frame to make it smooth.

Another common issue with screen doors is a rotting frame. It can be expensive to fix as the frame needs to be replaced. To avoid this, keep a watchful eye for signs of rot and address them when you spot them. Find signs of rot by looking for soft wood that looks darker than the rest of the frame. Also, keep an eye on areas that have started to bow or warp. Contact a professional if observe any of these issues.

You can fix damaged frames by using a mesh adhesive patch kit costing between $2 to $7. The kit comes with tiny pieces of mesh and glue that you can use to repair any holes in the screen. If the damage is minor you can attempt to repair it with wood filler. To accomplish this, you'll have to apply the wood filler to the damaged area and wait for it dry before sanding it smooth.

For a more permanent solution, you can buy a frame lift, which is a steel structure that is bolted onto your frame and raises it up. This is a very expensive option, but is the best if your frame has been severely damaged or rotted.

To make a simple stand for your screen door, you can make legs from a scrap piece of wood or a picture frame display stand. Connect wires or brackets to the back to place the frame on the wall. You can even add a piece of felt to the frame's bottom to shield your wall from scratches.

Broken Splines

A broken screen spline is just as frustrating as damaged frames or doors. It may appear to be something minor that could be ignored, but letting it go too long can let pests like mosquitoes and flies to 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 not difficult to replace a broken spline, especially when you have the proper tools. Before you begin, you must remove the old spline off the screen door frame. You can do this by placing the screen door frame flat on any surface, like a table or a floor. Use a screwdriver to pry open the free spline and pull it out. If the spline appears to be particularly damaged or brittle, you might find that it breaks as you attempt to remove it from the groove.

When you take off the old spline, be sure you take off the caulking that was used to keep it in place. This will ensure that the new spline is capable of fitting into the grooves.

When you have removed all the old spline, you can use a utility knife to trim any excess screen from around the frame. This will ensure that you have a tight, clean fit on all sides of the frame when you install the new spline.

Installing the new spline is straightforward once you have 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. Roll the spline into the screen channel using your splining tool. Continue rolling the spline, and pushing it into the screen channel as you move. Continue this process for each of the shorter sides of the frame. While you are working try to keep the screen taut with tape or spring clamps.

Repeat the process for the second side once you have completed the splining process for all the short sides. Complete by splining both of the bottom and top edges of the frame.