How to Repair or Replace a Window Screen

Mosquitoes and other bugs can enter your home through torn or ripped window screens like this one. Flying bugs can quickly become a nuisance in any home and we try our best to keep them out. I think you know what I mean; sleeping can become impossible with a fly pestering you or a mosquito trying to attack!

Opening the windows is a must in our home. Our house needs the cross ventilation of the cooling breezes to alleviate some of the summer heat. In previous years, we used a small window air condition to beat the heat but opted against this year in order to save some energy cost.

In order to gain use of this window again, the kids and I set off the repair the screen. Screen repairs are quite simple and not time consuming even for the inexperienced like us! These materials were easy to find at the local hardware or home building store. The cost of the supplies is minimal so it is well worth doing the job yourself.

You will need:
New window screen
Screen Spline (rubbing edging)
Screen tool

1)Remove the window screen and lay it on a hard surface large enough to support the entire frame
2)Pull the old rubber spline out and remove the old screen.


3)Cut a new piece of material. We used the old piece for a guide.


4)Lay the screen on the frame and begin rolling in the new spline
5)Once completed, cut the excess screen with a sharp knife or scissors.


There will be a complete set of instructions on the spline and the replacement screen. This is an easy task so don’t put it off as long as we did. It took less than a half an hour and my kids did a lot of the work. So go ahead, fix your screen and keep those bugs out!

FloodSafe Auto Shutoff Connector coupon

I received an $8.00 coupon from our American Family Home Owners insurance policy for new washing machine hoses. The coupon was good at Menards and for the Wyatts FloodSafe Connector brand of hoses. American Family has been experiencing many claims due to breaking hoses that result in water damage to the home. This Floodsafe type of washer hose protects against water damage by automatically sensing the rupture and shutting of the water supply when the flow exceeds the design rate.

I had read about breaking washing machine hoses sometime ago and always shut off the water supply if we left for a day or so. However, our hoses were old and most likely needed to be replaced. And a coupon is the perfect time to upgrade, right?

Well...during the processes of changing and tightening the new hoses, the solder broke on the existing pipe causing a water leak. A quick run to Wal-mart and $34.94 later, Kirk had all he needed and had it fixed in no time. Chase and Jaden were right by his side learning about torches, solder, and copper plumping.

So anyway, my coupon turned into a net loss. Oh, well. The bright side is Kirk was refreshed on his plumping skills. And I learned something new about him even after 17 years together! I had no idea Grandpa Hughes once owned a plumping business and Kirk had plumping knowledge beyond PVC (the plastic stuff)! Oh and now he has the tools to plump the basement bathroom. Yahoo, we could use another bathroom!