How to Fix your Broken Roller Blind

Roller blinds are an attractive and effective choice of blinds and this makes them a very popular option. They’re reliable, too, which means they rarely need adjustments or replacement parts, but like all mechanical items, they can occasionally need some fettling. Here’s a quick run-down of the more common roller blind issues.

What you will need:

There’s no specialist tools required to fix roller blinds and you should be able to find the following items around the house:

• Pliers
• Screwdriver
• Spirit level
• Straight edge
• Tape measure

Check the mounting brackets

The mounting brackets attach your blinds to your window frame and it is crucial they are aligned properly and are level with each other. If they are either misaligned or uneven, chances are this is the source of all your roller blinds problems.

• Using your tape measure, check that each bracket is an equal distance from the window’s frame on either side. To your naked eye the blinds may appear to be straight, but a quick measurement could reveal otherwise.
• Using your spirit level, check that the blind is level when retracted, the bubble should be in the centre of the middle vial.

Also, check to see if your blinds are touching the side of the window frame as they retract. This could indicate that your brackets are out of kilter, too.

Adjust the tension

If your blinds cannot be raised or lowered, it’s likely there’s a problem with the spring tension. It will either be too tight or too loose and this means you need to find the ‘goldilocks spot’ for retensioning the spring.

If your blinds are not fully retracting, the spring is too loose:

• Leave the blinds where they naturally rest when you attempt to raise them.
• If your blinds have a retainer pin, push this in until it engages.
• Remove the roller and blinds from the brackets on the window frame.
• Roll the blinds back up by hand making sure they are evenly rolled on both sides.
• Replace the roller in the brackets.
• Test the tension.
• If it hasn’t worked first time, repeat the process until you achieve the desired tension.

If your blinds won’t stay lowered or are retracting too quickly, your spring is over tight:

• If your blinds have a retainer pin, push this in until it engages.
• Remove the roller and blinds from the brackets.
• Roll down the blinds by 12” or 30cm by hand.
• Replace the roller in the brackets.
• Test the tension.
• If this hasn’t worked, repeat the previous steps until you achieve the desired tension.

If you are ever unsure as to why your roller blinds are not functioning properly, get in touch with a trusted blinds and window coverings company. With expert help, you’ll have your blinds in perfect working order in no time. If your blinds are a recent addition to your home, check the manufacturers guarantee to see if you qualify for free repair and replacement services.

Humberside Sunblinds is a specialist manufacturer of bespoke, made-to-measure awnings, blinds, canopies and shutters. For all window coverings and outdoor sunshade needs in Grimsby, Hull and Scunthorpe, we are the team to call. We even offer installation as standard to ensure your window coverings are the perfect fit. To arrange your free survey, call a member of our team today. We’re always happy to discuss your requirements over the phone.