Posted: 11/7/2009 2:05:54 PM EDT
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So my dog, in a moment of canine exuberance, tore a hole in one of the large screen windows on my back patio a few months back.
Today, since nice weather finally coincided with a Saturday, I got my carcass in gear to tackle the repair job. Prior to this, I had never replaced a window screen before. Off to Lowe's I go, where I find the screening material, then read the "DITY" instruction placards attached to the shelf there. Sounds pretty simple. Only problem is, I don't know what diameter of screen spline I need. Back to the house I go, where I tear out a piece of spline from the damaged screen. Back to Lowe's I go, with the specimen of spline so I can match up the diameter. Problem is, my eyesight ain't what it used to be, so I have to ask one of the clerks to match up the spline diameter for me. He picks .175 diameter spline and tells me that is what I need. Up to the register I go to ring out the screen material, the spline, and the spline tool. I get home and get the job started, then find out the spline is the wrong diameter - it's way too big. The clerk was wrong. Well, I can't really be mad at him, since I couldn't figure it out myself either. Mistakes happen. Turns out what I actually need is .140 diameter spline. Back to Lowe's for a refund on the incorrect spline, then around the store and back to the register with the correct diameter spline. Back to the house again. Half an hour later it was done. Looks pretty good. Not a professional job, but not bad for my first time out. A few tips: - Wear gloves when you are cutting the excess screen off. Those strands of wire are a helluva lot sharper than you might guess, and you will know it when one of them stabs a finger, believe me. - Save yourself the trouble I went through - have the right size spline the first time out. Anyway I'm sure you pros know all of this but it was a good learning experience for a guy (like me) with very limited household repair experience. Next time the dog destroys something around here, he's going to be looking for a new home. (Just kidding). |