Repairing Roller Blinds

Roller blinds typically need far less maintenance than wood blinds or other window coverings because of their simplicity. There is just one mechanical part - the roller spring - then the rest of it just wraps up around the roller. The actual blind is also made of only one piece of material. If the material is cut, you may have to replace it completely. You do not have to be an interior designer to use these fixes.

Another common ailment for roller blinds is a wearing out or mis-calibration of that one mechanical part: the roller spring. Too loose and they might not stay rolled up at all, and too tight and the roller shades can be dangerous when going up.

One thing that commonly causes misalignment of in roller shades is if they are too large for the window frame. Constant contact with the sides of the frame impedes normal movement and can rip the fabric. The shades might also be brushing the frame if the mounts are not hung evenly. Use a level to check that the hangers are even. If you do not have a tape measure, try measuring the distance from both edges of the blinds to the bottom of the window frame.

Some tools you may need to work on roller blinds include pliers, a tape measure, screwdriver, stapler, razor knife, and a level. For spring tension problems causing the shades to roll up too fast, you need to loosen the spring tension. To get at the spring, you will need to roll the shade up and take it off the brackets. Unroll it halfway on your floor by hand and remount it. This should recalibrate the loosened spring.

To actually get at the spring, you will need to remove the blind from the mounting again and unroll it a little to reduce tension. Use pliers to turn the flat pin on the edge of the blind and turn clockwise until you hear the ratchet click.

To tighten it up, just do the opposite: try tightening hand or turn the ratchet the other direction. The ratchet works by allowing the blind to only be rolled in one direction at a time until the pawl is tripped again.

For more information on roller shades check out my blinds information blog: Blinds where I try and give you all the tips you need in integrating your blinds into the decor of your home.