Homeowners should make it a priority to keep their screen doors and windows in top shape. No matter how small a tear might be, there is still the chance that it could escalate and need major repairs.
Supplies:
Household Cement
Screen Repair Kit
Screening Material
Utility Knife
Tape Measure
Needle Nosed Pliers
Screens come in either plastic/fiberglass or metal.
Screens made of metal are typically comprised of steel and may corrode after they have been exposed to various weather conditions for years, even if they are rustproof. Although corrosion is not a concern with fiberglass screens, they do not last as long as metal because they tend to sag eventually.
Step 1: On an even surface, use a mild household cleanser or simply use water to give the screen a thorough cleaning.
Step 2: Small holes can be repaired simply with a small amount of see-through household cement that is left to dry for the required amount of time. If the screen is made of fiberglass, a hole can be carefully sewn up using a common thread and needle.
Step 3: A screen repair kit is the easiest way to fix a hole in a metal screen that measures a diameter of less than three inches. If cutting out a custom patch from a piece of screen, be sure to cut about a half of an inch more than the size of the hole. Simply undo the edges of the patch, bed it at a right angle and place it over the hole. Then weave the loose pieces into the screen, camouflaging the repair.
Unfortunately, if the screen is made of fiberglass, experts say that it is best to replace the damaged section of screen rather than patching it.
A large tear in either type of screen may require that it is replaced completely since it will most likely be impossible to patch it or to repair it simply.
