Vertical blinds can be frustrating when not they’re working, but the fix is simple
Vertical blinds, when working properly, provide privacy and help to insulate your windows, blocking out the heat in the summer and keeping you warm in the winter. Unfortunately, vertical blinds can become damaged, leading to broken chains and slats that stick out at odd angles. Luckily, these simple tips make it easy to learn how to fix vertical blinds and get them working like new again.
Before attempting to fix broken vertical blinds, clear the area of all clutter, so you have a place to put the stepladder and don’t have anything you may accidentally step on. Put your tools on the windowsill nearby so they’re always handy. Then, get to work on the problem.
If a slat has detached from the blinds, you probably ripped a gash at the hole at the top of the slat, causing it to detach, so you need a new hole to attach it back to the blinds. Use a hole punch to punch new holes in the slat, then reconnect the slat to the blinds. If that doesn’t work, you’ll likely need a replacement slat, which should be available to order from the manufacturer.
When you try to force stuck blinds to open and close, that can strip the master gear. You’ll find this gear near the first slat.
If the gear seems stripped, take out the screws to remove the gear and replace it with a new one. You can order this replacement part online, from the manufacturer, or from a local hardware store.
If you have an individual blind slat that won't turn with the others, that's a sign that your gear may have some broken teeth or the gear comb is broken.
You'll need to inspect both parts to figure out which is the case and replace that part. To replace a broken gear, use a pair of needle-nose pliers to remove the gear stem and install the new one.
Blinds that won't open easily are an indication you need some lubricant. Spray some WD-40 or some other type of lubricant on the carrier body, which maneuvers the blinds, to unstick the track. These materials are available online or at home improvement stores and should fix this issue quickly.
If the cord that controls the blinds snaps, you can repair this without replacing the blinds. Use a pair of pliers or your hands to gently pull apart the ends of cord that are still connected. Then, measure and cut a piece of replacement cord about an inch longer than original (you want it just long enough to pull out through the bottom channel, so you can re-tie it).
Thread the cord through the bottom channel and tie off loose ends into knots on either side. Now your vertical blinds should move properly again. If that doesn’t work, you may need to replace your blind cord.
Most of the time, repairing vertical blinds is simple, and you should be able to do it on your own. You’ll only need a few tools to remove and replace gears or slats. However, vertical blinds can be tricky and sometimes you may need to bring in a professional. Or, you may determine that it’s easier to replace the blinds, and so you may want a pro to take a look and recommend some options for you. Contact a blinds installation professional near you for a consultation.
Horizontal blinds go up and down, while vertical blinds go side to side. While that may seem like a contradiction, the blind names come from the direction of the individual blind slats rather than the actual movement of the blinds.
It depends on your needs, but vertical blinds are superior to horizontal blinds because they are more energy efficient and they insulate better. That's because horizontal blinds don't cover as much of the window as vertical blinds do.
If maintained properly, vertical blinds of high quality can last up to 20 years. However, they won't last any longer than a year or two if you are rough with them or don't carefully open and close them to avoid overlap of slats.
