Saturday, March 8, 2014

Troubleshoot Window Blinds

Blinds can add style and functionality to a space when they are working correctly. However, because of their constant use and many parts, things can go wrong with them that prevent them from working properly. It is usually cheaper to repair the blinds than it is to replace them. It just takes a few basic tools to restore your blinds to their original condition.


Instructions


1. Take the blinds out of the window if the cord lock will not release and the blinds will not lower. Find the cord lock mechanism in the head rail, which the lift cord runs through. There will be a pin there and use a flat-head screwdriver to push the pin in to release the cords.


2. Turn the wand counterclockwise if blinds will not tilt and are closed in the down position. While you are doing this, tug on the back string of the ladders that are holding the slats.


3. Twist the wand in a clockwise direction and pull on the back string of the ladders If blinds are closed in the up position.


4. Replace the tilt wand if neither of these methods work.


5. Lift the blind and extend it completely if it hangs unevenly. Slowly raise and lower the blinds. Repeat this a few times until the blind hangs evenly.


6. Undo the upper knot in the skinnier cord that goes into the cord accumulator in the head rail if the cord is too long. Push the button to feed the cord up and stop it at the correct length. Lower the blind to make sure it is at the appropriate length and cut the string with scissors.


7. Fix noisy shades by pushing the small, plastic piece to the end of the long, metal strips in the head rail. This should fix the noise problem. Sometimes the plastic piece moves out of place and pushes the metal strips against the head rail.


Tips Warnings


If blinds will not hang evenly, also check if the cords are caught in head rail. Release the cords and raise and lower the blinds to see if it fixed the problem.


Be careful when releasing the lift cord because it will immediately release the blinds and you could injure yourself or somebody else if they are nearby.







Tags: window, blinds, head rail, blinds will, back string, back string ladders, cord lock, lift cord, lower blinds, metal strips, plastic piece, raise lower, raise lower blinds, release blinds