12 Jun Fixing Broken Window Blinds

To fix difficult-to-operate blinds, peer inside the head rail, which is the long metal piece at the top of the blinds that holds them, and locate the square metal pieces or friction clips connected to the track. Remove one or all of the friction clips if the blinds are difficult to operate.

This should solve the problem. Lightly pull down on the bottom rail or long metal piece at the bottom of the blinds to reactivate spring if blinds will not lift. Release the cord lock if blinds will not lower by holding the cords level with the headrail and pulling down. This should release the cord lock.

Repair Blinds That Will Not Tilt

Re-engage tilt wand –the long, narrow tool on the side of blinds that makes them tilt — if slats have difficulty turning or tilting or will not tilt at all. If the slats are closed in the down position, turn the tilt wand counter clockwise, while you are pulling down on the back string ladders.

The string ladders hold the slats. If the blinds are closed in the up position, turn the wand clockwise and lightly pull downward on the front string of the ladders. If these methods, do not correct the problem, you may need to replace the tilt wand.

Replace The Tilt Wand

Replace the tilt wand by removing the blinds from the window. Pull the tilt wand by taking off the metal end brace or plastic end cap from the head rail — the long metal piece that is at the top of the blinds that holds them. Peer inside the headrail and locate a long, metal rod, which is the tilt rod.

The tilt wand will be connected to this. Slide the tilt rod off the tilt wand. Attach the new tilt wand by pushing it into the grooves on the tilt rod until it snaps into place. Put the cap or brace back on. Test the blinds to make sure you have corrected the problem.

Tips

If the cord lock still does not release, remove the blind out of the window. Find the cord lock mechanism inside the headrail, which will have lift cords running through it. Locate the metal pin in the cord lock and push it in with a flat screwdriver. This should release the cords.

Make sure you are anyone else is not standing in the way because the blinds will immediately drop and someone could get injured.

How to Measure for Blinds

The first thing to consider when measuring for blinds is how you will be mounting them. There are only two ways: inside mount or outside mount.

Measuring For Blinds That Are Mounted Inside The Window Opening

When measuring for blinds that are mounted inside the window frame, you’ll be measuring three dimensions: depth, width, and height. The most important one is the depth. The depth tells you if there is enough room to fit the blinds.

To take the depth of the window opening, extend the tape in from the left or right bottom corner of the window opening to the window glass (or the vinyl frame that encloses the glass). Write down the measurement.

If the window opening has a crank, lock, alarm, or layered trim inside it, then you’ll have to measure it until you touch one of those obstructions. This will decrease the depth you write down. If there is an obstruction at the bottom of the window opening then the blind will hit it and protrude out more than the rest of the blind. In this case, you may want to consider an outside mount.

Most 2″ horizontal blinds need 3 1/4″ of depth for a flush mount (meaning the headrail and valance fit completely inside the top of the window opening). However, the minimum depth for a non-flush mount is about 1 1/2″. This means that the valance and some of the blind will protrude out of the window opening.

Once you’ve determined that you are able to mount the blind inside the window opening then the next step is to take the width measurement. You’ll be measuring the width in three places: the bottom, middle, and top of the window opening.

To take the width of the window opening, start at the bottom left side of the opening and extend the tape across to the bottom right side. Record the measurement and repeat this at the middle of the window opening than at the top of the opening. Write down all three width measurements and use the smallest measurement for ordering purposes.

The last measurement to take will be the height. Again, you’ll be measuring the height in three places: the left, center and right side of the window opening.

To take the height of the window opening, put the end of the tape on the bottom left side of the opening and extend the tape upwards until you touch the top left of the window opening. Write down the measurement. Repeat this at the center of the window opening then at the right side of the opening. Record all three measurements and use the smallest for ordering purposes.

Once you submit your measurements, the factory will take an additional width deduction. This will make sure that there is about a 1/4″ of space between the end of the blinds and the window opening. This is done for inside mounts only.

Measuring for Blinds That are Mounted Outside the Window Opening

When measuring for blinds that are outside mounted, you only measure for the width and height. They will be mounted on the wall above the window opening, so no depth measurement is needed.

If the window opening has no trim around it, then you measure the width and height in the same way as you do for an inside mount. The only difference is that you will be using the largest measurement for ordering purposes. Once you get that measurement, you add 4″ to the width. This allows for 2″ to overlap the wall on each side to block out light and ensure privacy.

If the window has a sill that the bottom of the blind will rest on, then you add 2 1/2″ to the height measurement to accommodate the brackets that will be mounted above the window opening. (You can add more to the height measurement depending on how high above the window opening you want to mount the blind.) If the window has no sill, then you add two more inches to the height measurement to allow for the bottom to overlap the wall.

If the window opening has trim around it on all four sides, you will measure from trim edge to trim edge. In essence, when the blind is lowered all the way down it will cover all of the trim. There is no need to add for any wall overlap.

Measure the trim from edge to edge, measuring the width and height in three places and use the largest measurement for ordering purposes. If you mount the blind on the trim, there are no additional inches to add. However, if you want to mount the blind above the trim, then you will have to add 2 1/2 ” to the height measurement to accommodate the mounting brackets.

If you mount above the trim then you will also need to order spacer blocks for each bracket. Spacer blocks will make the brackets protrude over the trim a little so that the blinds don’t touch the trim.