When it comes to blinds, there is very little maintenance involved. Things can go wrong, however. Cords can deteriorate and break, slats can snap or bend and runners may need to be replaced from time to time.
You can fix some of these issues, but for others, you will need to call in a professional blinds repair company.
Some Common Problems:
Vertical Blinds
You may find that the stem that holds the slats in place is broken. In some cases, this is going to be quite difficult to repair but with newer blinds, this problem has been given some consideration and the stems are usually replaceable nylon ones.
The easiest way to know is by the age of the blinds – any blinds made prior to 2000 will not have replaceable nylon stems. Another way to tell is by looking at the stem itself – if it has yellowed or won’t come out easily, it is not nylon and repairs should be left to the professionals.
If it is nylon, you can have a go at repairing it yourself if you feel confident enough. Do some research first to make sure that you can find the matching stem. If you are unsure, it is best left to professionals – messing up this repair could mean needing a new set of blinds.
A common problem with vertical blinds is that the cords are subjected to a fair amount of wear and tear and they may snap after a while. This is always caused by friction and can be due to the angle at which the cords are being pulled.
Using the wrong angle causes undue friction on the cord or can make it jump the wheels altogether increasing the likelihood of snapping. Should the cord be pulling tightly, check to see if you can ease it back onto the wheel.
Once the cord has snapped, you have to have the track restrung.
Horizontal Blinds
Valances that fall off tend to be a common problem here and this is usually due to the valance clips breaking. A quick fix is to use a strip of Velcro to put the valance back up. The chances of being able to find the right size clip are slim.
If the cords snap here, you could attempt to fix them with a knot. Restringing will generally be more expensive than having a replacement blind put in, so consider this option carefully.
Cellular Blinds
In general, broken cords are the worst problem here. If your cord is on a continuous loop, it is pretty simple to replace if it breaks. Should the cord not be on a continuous loop, you will have to have it restrung. This may work out costly so get a quote first.
By and large, though, blinds are easy to maintain and not very troublesome at all.