Blinds add a lot of beauty to your home, except when they are broken. Missing, broken or bent slats on blinds can make your home appear to be in disarray. It is relatively simple to repair blinds on your own. The types of blinds you can repair yourself include vertical and horizontal vinyl blinds, also known as venetian blinds.
The easiest blinds to repair are in the vertical position, as it is just a matter of snapping them on and off. Replacement slats can be purchased at do-it-yourself stores. Measure the length of the vertical blinds and have the store cut them to the necessary size. Open up the blinds so that they are parallel to each other, and not overlapping. Bend the broken slat towards the window so that it opens the hook it is hanging from, then lift it up and out. Slide the replacement blind into the hook until it catches and hangs freely.
Horizontal vinyl blinds are also relatively easy to replace, though they are a little more time-consuming. Purchase the replacement blinds from the previously mentioned locations. Remove the plugs that are located on the bottom rail, which conceal the knots for the lift cord. Untie the knots and remove the slats that are necessary to get to the broken one. Replace the broken slats, then reposition the slats that were removed and tie off the pull cords.
It may be necessary to replace the lift cord when you repair horizontal blinds. Open the blinds as far as they can go, then lift the whole unit off its brackets. Place the blinds face down on the ground so the pulley operation is facing towards you. Cut the lift cords and pull them out. Use a large needle to thread the replacement cords through the slots on all the slats, then replace the blinds on the bracket.
If, in the attempt to repair blinds, you notice the head rails need replaced, take it to a professional. These parts are easily damaged, which can prevent the blinds from functioning properly. Blind repair services can be found online, or in the phone book. Check with your operator's manual to see if your blinds are covered under warranty. If the blinds are old, or you need to replace a lot of slats, it may be cheaper to just buy a new set.
