Nothing make your house look old and tired like dirty, dusty and frayed screens. They devalue your home but are also pretty ugly to look through. Once the fly screens are damaged there really isn’t anywhere to go but to replace them. Once replaced you can do some easy maintenance to give them more life.
Depending on where you are located you will need to take into account the environment and the effects it can have on the life of your screens.
- Urban areas are prone to pollution which builds up on your screens making them very dirty, surprisingly quickly. Maintenance required every 6 months.
- Coastal areas are prone to salt build up which can make your screens heavy, brittle and turn grey. Maintenance required every 6 months.
- Rural areas are prone dirty and dust build up followed by muddy at the slight turn in the weather. Maintenance required every 3-6 months.
To follow are some easy tips keep in mind as you do general cleaning.
Cleaning / Maintenance Retractable Screens and Pleated Screens
Maintenance of retractable screens for doors and windows is really easy. As the screens are retracted when not in use, they are well protected from the elements which build up on the screens.
- Retractable Screens: start by retracting the screen back into the cassette. Vacuum the tracks and make sure they are clean and clear debris.
- Pleated Screens: start by stacking the screen back into the starter track. Vacuum the tracks and make sure they are clean and clear debris.
- Roll out / extend the screen. Gently scrub the screen using warm mild soapy water and very soft bristle brush.
- If the screens are externally fitted they can be rinse gently using a garden hose. Go easy! Not too much pressure, but enough rinse down any loose deposits, then you can follow up by wiping down with a soft cloth.
- Allow the screen to dry off then finish off by spraying some silicon based lubricant along top and bottom tracks.
Cleaning Fixed Security Screens
As a general rule, powder coated surfaces should be cleaned every 6 months.
- Place towels on the floor to prevent water damage to the floor as you work.
- Using a soft brush or cloth with water and a mild detergent wipe down the screens and frames.
- Rinse off with clean water.
- Allow the screen to dry off then finish off by spraying some silicon based lubricant along top and bottom tracks, the lock, roller and hinges.
- Cleaning Removable Fly Screens
Removable fly screens can be a little tricky to clean. Be careful as you remove them, as at times if they have been fixed for a long time they tend to be quite brittle and difficult to remove. Spay a little WD40 or silicon based lubricant to help loosen them a little.
- Working outdoors gently hose them down with water to loosen dirt and dust.
- Using a soft bristle brush and mild soapy water wash the screens down.
- Turn the screen around and wash the other side carefully so as not to put pressure on the spline.
- Rinse the screens off gently and allow to dry then reinstall.
