Home Repair: Fixing Common Vertical Window Blind Problems

Common problems that can and do occur with verticals. Do it yourself repair, cleaning, care, installation and replacement tips for blinds.

Window treatments add beauty and sophistication to any home or office. Vertical blinds are no exception to this rule. They come in a variety of styles, textures, and colors and can be made to fit any window. They offer privacy and protection from the sun when closed and can easily be opened by a pull string for enjoying the outdoors while inside. Unfortunately, like anything else, problems can occur with your vertical blinds. The individual slats are connected by a hook and can be easily lifted off of the hook for cleaning or repair. If you are removing your verticals to clean them, you should follow the manufacturer's instructions as fabric verticals can be damaged if the wrong cleaning products are applied to them. Most vinyl verticals can be easily wiped down with a mild cleaning solution and warm water. They can also be cleaned in the bathtub for dirtier blinds that need to be soaked. For light cleaning, it is best to wipe them down while they are still hanging. When cleaning wood vertical's you must be careful not to expose them to a large amount of water as they can become warped. An oil-based soap like Murphy's oil is perfect for cleaning wood blinds.

If your blinds become unbalanced, causing them to raise or lower at an angle, lower or raise the blind completely, repeating this action if necessary until the blind has straightened itself out. If this still doesn't correct the problem then remove the verticals and both end braces from the window. Slide the rod out of the tilt and straighten out the pull string around the fly wheel, leaving no slack in the string. If trying this procedure fails then installing a new head rail may become necessary. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to install. They can be purchased at most retail stores, hardware stores or drapery outlets.

When having new verticals installed into your home or office, it only stands to reason that you will use them often. The wear and tear on the slats is inevitable and at some point they may need replaced. The slats hang from a clip by a small hole. These holes can break, making it impossible for the slat to continue hanging properly. Luckily, you can purchase vertical repair clips and repair kits that allow you to fix the damaged slat, rather then replace it. This saves money and time.

At some point you may have to cut your blinds due to frayed ends from pets, or perhaps you are moving to a new home and want to fit the blinds to a new window. In this case they will probably have to be resized. This is an easy process. Simply remove the buttons that at the bottom of the last slat. Remove the slats, cut the slats to the height necessary for hanging properly. You may have strings that need to be cut also. Replace the slats and buttons and install your verticals according to the manufacturer's instructions.

The vertical slats usually are the first part of a blind to receive damage. It is wise to purchase a more durable vertical blind with a thicker slat. Heavy duty head rails made from steel are available and will last longer then the cheaper aluminum ones. When choosing your new verticals, look for the type that come with self aligning carriers that help the life of the blind and reduce stripped gears. They cost a bit more, but will last much longer and save you money in the end.

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