Blinds break due to age and stress. It happens, especially with older blinds and cheaply made ones. A new set of blinds can be costly, so avoid the costs by repairing your blinds yourself. It’s simple, quick, and efficient.
First, do you know what type of blinds you have? There are many different types of blinds, and depending on the type, you’ll have to fix each differently. Examples include: wood, faux wood, mini blinds, and vertical blinds. Blinds can be made out of a multitude of different materials, such as metal, vinyl, wood, faux wood, fabric and plastic.
The most prevalent blinds are Persian, or slat blinds, and are usually made from vinyl or metal. Fixing vinyl or metal blinds can be relatively simple. Also, fixing these simple blinds will be good training for fixing more complicated designs. Depending on the damage, you may need a Flathead screwdriver, adhesive, string, scissors and replacement slats. Keep reading for a list of materials for specific problems. These tools can be found at any local superstore in the home improvement section. If you have older blinds, you’ll want to check for slats online first. Some older blind slats can’t be found in stores. And unfortunately, the older your blinds, the more likely they are to break.
First, deduce what is broken. If the blinds will not go up or down, the cord lock is most likely the problem. If a slat or slats are cracked or broken, they will either need to be replaced, or you can tape or glue them back into place. You may also need to replace the strings to restore their function. Always start repairs by disconnecting the blinds from the window and placing them on a flat surface. Make sure your work area is clean and flat because your blinds could end up lopsided or crooked if it isn’t.
If the cord lock is what’s causing the blinds to malfunction, use a Flathead screwdriver and push on the small pin on the lock to release and reset the blinds. If the string is torn or split, intertwine the string or cut the string out completely. If you cut it out completely, wind the new string into the end of the string from the blinds below and above the slat, and tape in place if needed. If your slats are torn or broken in any way, remove the slat. You’ll want to cut it away from the string and be sure to keep anything in good condition intact. Insert the new slat into the gap and twist it into the string. If your slat just needs to be repaired, use adhesive and glue together.
Now that you’ve done the above, check the blinds. You’ll want to make sure they work properly before cleaning up the work space. If you’re still having problems, look through the above options again and inspect the blinds closely for any other issues that may be causing malfunctions. If you can’t see any other problems, the blinds should be working. Be sure to check the string closely, as torn string is harder to see than a broken slat. Once the blinds are in working condition, return them to the window and test them out. The blinds should be working as good as new and your work is complete. You’ll want to keep any extra materials, just in case you need to repair your blinds again.
