How to Repair Blinds: Vertical, Horizontal and Roller

Blinds are common window treatments. Aside from offering privacy, blinds block sunlight when you are trying to sleep in during the day or just want to keep the light out. However, window blinds can get bent, broken, or damaged as time passes. From broken slats to malfunctioning cords and operational issues, these common issues can turn into a homeowner’s headache.

So, if you’re experiencing any of the above and are looking to learn how to fix broken blinds, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll break down step-by-step instructions on how to repair blinds, from horizontal and vertical to roller blinds.

Let’s begin!

Identifying the Problem

First, find out what is causing the problem based on the type of blinds you have. It may be one or more of their parts that are causing the problem.

For instance, vertical blinds hang individually through a carrier stem, which is often the cause if it’s not rotating properly. On the other hand, horizontal blinds are interconnected through pull cords and left, right, and centre lift cords forming a ladder rung. If a slat is broken, you’d have to remove it from the ladder rung strings and replace it with a spare from the bottom rung.

Roller blinds are entirely different since they can operate through a cord or spring tension mechanism.

In any case, here’s what you’ll need to start your DIY blinds repair project.

Tools

Prepare the following tools before you begin:

• Flathead screwdriver
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Cutting pliers
• Needle-nose pliers

Materials

When replacing broken blinds, you need the following materials:

• Replacement blinds
• Replacement carrier stems
• Replacement slats

How to Repair Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds tend to have rotation issues, so check the top and bottom parts of the blinds to rule out this problem. If the problems in your window blinds are minor, such as replacing carrier stems or broken blinds, follow the steps below to fix them:
 

1. Inspect the blinds: Find out the problem area and try these quick blind repair fixes:
   • If your blinds are crooked, check for obstructions that could be stuck between the vertical blinds and remove them.
   • If they’re twisted, untangle them and see if it goes back to normal.
   • If they’re jammed by something, remove the object to let the blinds rotate freely.
2. Remove and replace the carrier stems: If your blinds are not turning, the carrier stem might be the problem. It’s the plastic gear on top of the blind that connects it to the carrier body. If it’s damaged, remove the blinds to access the carrier stem, and then use a pair of needle-nose pliers to remove it.
3. Install your replacement carrier stem: Push the new stem into the carrier body until it slides into the hole, then clamp the blind back.
4. Remove the damaged blind: If the blind itself is broken and needs to be replaced, remove it from the carrier stem and detach it from the spacer chain on the bottom of the blind. It’s the plastic chain that connects each blind.
5. Install new blinds: Once the damaged blind is off, take your replacement blind and attach it to the stem before threading the spacer chain back through the blinds.
6. Test if the problem is fixed: Open and close your blinds to see if they’re now functioning properly.

How to Repair Horizontal Blinds

Image source: Canva

If your broken horizontal blinds have bent or broken slats, you can use a replacement slat from the bottom of the rung for an affordable solution. Here’s how to do it:

1. Remove the damaged slat: Clip the broken slat using cutting pliers from the ladder rung and remove it.
2. Remove the plugs from the bottom rail of the blinds: Remove these using a flathead screwdriver to access the pull cords threaded through the slats.
3. Disentangle the lift cords: After removing the plugs, use tweezers or needle-nose pliers to untie the knot on the plug. You can also cut the cord above the knot if you can’t untie it—just melt the frayed ends with a lighter so they won’t unravel.
4. Thread the pull cord through the slats: From the bottom rail up to the broken slat’s rung, remove the pull cord. Any slat can now be taken as a replacement.
5. Replace the damaged slat with a bottom slat: Take the slat at the bottom of the rung and place it where the broken slat was to replace broken blinds. Position it properly in the ladder rung and ensure the pull cord holes are aligned with the rest of the blinds.
6. Re-string the blinds: String the blinds again by threading the pull cord through the route holes in each slat before sliding the pull cords through the bottom rail. Tie a knot at the end of each cord and snap the plastic plugs into place at the bottom rail afterward.

How to Repair Roller Blinds

Image source: Canva

If you have roller blinds, you might find issues in their upward or downward movement. Roller blinds can be spring-loaded (cordless) or clutch-driven (with a cord). To fix broken cordless roller blinds, here’s what you need to do:

1. Check the mounting brackets: If the roller blinds are misaligned when retracted, confirm that the mounting brackets installed on the wall are levelled and haven’t come loose. If they are, tighten the screws or align them properly.
2. Adjust the tension: If the spring is locked, the rollers can’t be raised or lowered. To fix this, take the roller out of its brackets on the wall and, using pliers, turn the pin clockwise. This should release the spring. Let go of the pin quickly when you feel tension. This unlocks the spring.
3. Fix the tension if the spring is too tight: Roll the shade up before removing it from the window wall brackets. Unroll the shade partway, and then place the shade back into the wall brackets. Repeat this process until the blinds appear to be working again.

Start Your Home Upgrades With Burano Doors

Though stylish and functional, window treatments can only do so much to protect your privacy and reduce your energy costs. This is especially important in Ontario, where the weather can be unpredictable.

Invest in quality windows and doors that can serve you for years with little maintenance required. Make the home upgrade you need with Burano Doors. As a trusted provider of reliable windows and doors, we’re here to help you get started on your project with the best prices.

Contact us today for a FREE home estimate for your window and door installations!