How to Fix Vertical Blinds
Introduction
Save money, repair vertical blinds yourself with help from this article, "How to Fix Vertical Blinds." Do it yourself (DIY) projects are the rave. Why rely on expensive repair services for simple indoor home repairs when you can buy the parts online and do repairs yourself.
Problems with blinds consist of blinds not turning, broken strings, track problems, and more. This article describes how to repair vertical blinds. Specifically, stems, stem carriers, gears, and other parts that could block operation of the blinds.
Things You'll Need
- Pliers (needle nose)
Instructions
Step 1 - Rotate the slats (vanes) straight open (90 degrees to window, patio door, etc.).
Step 2 - Examine track system (stem track or rail). Visually check the track housing, stems, vane savers (optional but recommended), stem carriers, gears, and other parts for excessive wear or damage that could block operation of the blinds. Set aside any bad parts in preparation to replace with new parts.
Step 3 - Damaged Stems - Use needle nose pliers to carefully twist the stem out of the stem carrier. DO NOT use too much force.
Step 4 - Damaged Stem Carriers and Gears- Gears might be part of the stem or separate pieces. If applicable, detach the worm gear from the stem.
Step 5 - Re-examine the stems, stem carriers, and gears (especially the splines or teeth) for excessive wear or damage that could block operation of the blinds. Set aside any bad parts in preparation to replace with new parts.
Step 6 - Using new parts as needed, and with the slats fully open, re-assemble the track system in the reverse order used to disassemble parts from the track. Rotate the vertical blinds 180 degrees in each direction to check that the blinds work correctly.
Resources
Photo Credits
Flickr and blindsparts.com
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Comments
Good article, my husband always fixes ours. yes it is simple really as long as you watch what u are doing and put back same way. I always take the beads of the bottom as they are a pain and clip on part always gets brittle and breaks. Leaving them hanging on the window ledge otherwise. And they are dangerous if you have cats they can hang themselves in them.
I usually end up breaking any small plastic parts and spend hours at the hardware store trying to find replacement parts. Next time we'll buy more expensive blinds and maybe parts will be more readily available. The links under Resources in the article are a good place to find parts online.
Ron aka LANWANMAN, Ocala, Florida USA
Good article - this helps save money and hopefully frustration (depeneding on your patience level!)
i think vertical blinds technicians could make quite a bit of money.
Great information. Well explained. Well written. A great topic to inform us on how to do.
Great information. I didn't know that you could fix blinds, I just always bought new.
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