If the screens on your house are stretched or have holes in them, it’s time to replace them. There are two ways you can replace your window screens. You can either bring your damaged screen to the hardware store and have them do it for you, or you can do it yourself and save the labor costs. If I tell you how to take it to the hardware store, this column will be too short, so I’ll tell you how to do it yourself.
There are three parts to the window screen. There’s the frame, the screening material, and a rubber spline. The spline is a round rubber strip that goes in the groove on all sides of the window frame to hold the screening material in place.
The screening material used in windows today is usually either aluminum or fiberglass. Most of the screens in Sun City are fiberglass. You will need to purchase a few materials to do this job. These include a roll of fiberglass screening material, spline material, a spline roller, and a utility knife. You should bring along a short piece of the spline material from the damaged screen to make sure you get the right diameter.
— Remove the damaged window screen from the window by lifting up the tabs at the bottom of the screen and pulling it toward you.
— Place the screen on a flat surface to work on it.
— Pull out the rubber spline using a utility knife or screwdriver.
— Remove the old screening material.
— Wipe the spline groove clean.
— Roll out the new screening material and lay the frame on top of it to use as a template.
— Cut out the new screen material about a half an inch larger than the frame all the way around.
— Lay the new screening material on the frame.
— Using the spline roller, and starting in a corner, press the rubber edging slowly but firmly back into the groove, sandwiching the screening into the frame. Be sure to hold the material straight while rolling the first two sides.
— Roll in the remaining two sides, and cut the spline material to fit flush against the starting point.
— Trim the excess screening material with a utility knife.
Now that you have a beautiful new screen, place it back into the track by sliding up using the two tabs and rotating it back in place. Try not to brag to your neighbors about your new window screens or they’ll all be coming over to have you repair theirs.
Urban Myth
Several times in the last few months someone has told me that if you accidentally lock your keys in the car, you can get it unlocked with your cell phone. You simply call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button on the remote keyless entry key fob on your spare keys, while holding it near the cell phone on their end. One person even emphasized that this will work even if you are hundreds of miles from home.
This sounds like a great trick, but unfortunately it doesn’t work. Remote keyless entry systems and cell phones utilize different types of signals and transmit them at different frequencies. If you are prone to locking your keys in the car, learn how to unlock the door with a coat hanger because the cell phone trick doesn’t work.
If you have suggestions for future tips or have questions about maintenance around your home, submit them to ask.the.woodchucks@gmail.com.
