How to Fix a Patio Screen

Repair kit for patio screens

Spring has finally arrived and we can open the doors and windows. That's the good news; the bad news is that holes and rips in your patio screens look like an invitation to bugs to come in to visit. Patio screens receive abuse from pets, children and general wear. This repair only takes about an hour and is simple to do. Other than a few household tools, everything you will need comes in a kit available from the hardware store or the home supply center.

Things You'll Need

• Screen repair kit
• Screwdriver
• Scissors
• Sharp knife

Instructions

How to Fix a Patio Screen

1. Remove the patio screen from its track by lifting it up and out. Now is a good time to check the rollers for wear and replace them if needed.

2. 

   Place the screen on a flat surface and remove the rubber spline that holds the screen in place. The opening in the old spline is usually in a corner. Pry up gently with a screwdriver until you can grasp the spline and then pull it out gently. Remove the old screen and discard it.

3. 

   Lay the new screen over the framework. Using scissors, trim it off, leaving it about one inch larger than the spline groove. Straighten the screen on the frame, making sure it still appears square.

4. 

   Starting at a corner, lay the new spline over the screen and begin rolling it into the groove, tilting the roller that came with the kit slightly to the outside. Continue rolling the spline into the patio screen until you reach the corner; use the screwdriver to gently push the spline into the corner. Continue until you have rolled the spline in around the entire screen. Do not pull the new screen too tightly or it will warp the screen frame.

5. When you reach the starting point, trim the spline material, leaving it about one inch long. Press the overlapping end of the spline into the groove with the screwdriver.

6. Trim the excess screen off with a sharp knife, holding the knife edge facing away from the screen.

7. Install the screen back in its track and adjust the rollers if necessary to achieve an even fit of the screen frame.

Tips & Warnings

• Proceed steadily when rolling the new spline.

• Be careful not to stretch the new spline when you are working with it.

References

• Additional information

Resources

• Additional repair instructions