Most window coverings are notoriously durable and require only minimal maintenance, outside of a good cleaning every now and then. Still, just like everything else, your blinds may not always work smoothly and easily. Instead of spending money on a replacement or ripping them off the wall in a confused furor, why not try one of my helpful quick fixes? Most common issues can be quickly repaired and rarely require any tools at all!
I picked out five of my quickest fixes for your wayward window treatments below. Remember, if you take good care of your blinds and shades, they’ll take good care of you.
Stuck Vertical Blinds or Panel Tracks
Vertical blinds and panel track blinds are two of the most popular ways to cover a sliding glass door. However, these window coverings can be troublesome when they can’t slide open. If your window treatments have to brace for turbulence every time you try to slide them open, give this quick fix a shot.
For vertical blinds, first make sure all of your slats are properly aligned. Ensure that the ends are uniformly arranged and that the slats aren’t awkwardly tucked behind each other. If they are, rotate them by hand until they are in place – this may quickly solve your problem.
Now, if you’re still experiencing some resistance, shoot a bit of silicon spray into the headrail of your vertical blinds or onto the inside of the track that guides your panel track blinds. After applying, work the blinds back and forth, opening and closing them all the way, to evenly spread the silicone coating. Before you know it, they should be gliding from side to side with ease. You’re one smooth operator.
Cord Tilt Horizontal Blinds Won’t Open
All horizontal blinds are made with a way to tilt the slats opened and closed. Most commonly, this is done with a wand but corded tilts are becoming more and more popular. Here’s a tip for those of you who are having trouble with your cord tilt.
If your slats aren’t adjusting when you pull the cord to tilt, there’s a good chance the string simply fell of the plastic wheel that’s hidden inside the headrail. Luckily, this problem is a lot easier to repair than it looks. Just take your blinds down and lay them on a flat surface and after that it’s just like restringing a yo-yo.
After your blinds have been removed from the wall, follow the cord tilts up into the headrail. You should find the small roller wheel with most of the cord string wrapped around it. If your blinds haven’t been tilting, there’s a good chance a bit of this string has gathered either above or below the plastic roller. All you have to do now is move the strands back to the center of the wheel where they belong. Wheely easy, right?
Broken Slats on a Vertical Blind
In most homes, you can find at least one set of traditional vertical blinds. Unfortunately, the long, hanging slats are notoriously enticing to pets and young children. The vinyl material may look beautiful, but it’s not indestructible and a rough tug at one of the slats may rip it right out of the headrail.
At the top of most vertical blind slats, you’ll find a slot that fits into a clip on the headrail. These slats are purposely easy to remove for maintenance, but if the hole tears open they’ll be nothing for the clip to hold onto. Hole-y moley! Don’t worry, I’ve got a solution for you.
If the slot has ripped or cracked, simply flip the blind upside-down and punch a new hole (using a, you guessed it, hole punch) onto the opposite side. You can also attach a paper clip to the top of the blinds to help seal any cracks. Of course, this is more of a functional fix than a cosmetic one, but it should do just the trick until you’re able to get your hands on a replacement slat.
Fix/Replace A Continuous Cord Loop Chain On Your Roller Shades
A continuous cord loop is a single chain that hangs to the side of your rollers that can be pulled, one direction or another, to raise and lower the shades. For the most part, these chains should last for the lifetime of your shade, but that doesn’t mean they’re completely accident-proof.
Pulling this chain too hard or at an awkward angle may cause it to break or slip out of the gear inside your roller shade. You’re probably being perfectly gentle with your chain, but if your kids decided to swing around on it like Tarzan – I’ve got you covered. Start by taking your roller shade off the wall and laying it down on a flat surface.
If your roller shade is stuck down, manually roll it back up. You’ll notice that the sides of your shade have small plastic end caps; remove the side where the chain hangs. The plastic piece should either pop off, with little force, or be removable after loosening a screw in the center of the cap. Inside, you’ll find a small gear with indentations that hold the beads of the chain. Simply reinsert the beads, making sure they catch inside the gear, and pop the end cap back on your shade. Voila! Good as new.
Roller Shades Telescope When Raised
Everyone loves roller shades for their minimal look and smooth, simple operation, but if they’re not rolling up properly you’ll soon lose both of those traits. Over time, the fabric on your roller shades may start to gather unevenly on one side of the headrail – this is called telescoping. No need to roll your eyes at the problem, or this pun, because I know the perfect trick to fix your stylish shades.
While some minor telescoping is normal, the problem can quickly get out of hand and you want your window treatments to perform with ease. First, we recommend using a level to ensure that your shades are hanging evenly. If they’re not, readjust your brackets until it hangs perfectly horizontal. We also recommend adjusting your brackets if the material is hitting them or your window frame, as this is likely the cause of the issue.
If your brackets are even, the material is clear of any obstructions, and the shade is still telescoping, grab a roll of painters tape. For this fix, you’ll have to roll the shades down past where they would usually hang. Once they’re lowered, stick a piece of tape on the opposite side of where the material was gathering. Roll the shades back up and look for improvements. If the shade is still not level, add another piece of tape until the material rolls up evenly. If your rollers are still temperamental, it might be time to refresh your home with a new look. See our latest selections here.
I hope my quick fixes can shed some light on some of the more common window covering complications. If you run into an issue that I haven’t covered above, don’t worry! You can always give the experts at Blindsgalore a call for help with all of your window related questions. I want you to love your windows – even when they are being cranky.
Featured Image Source: Blind Magic
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