Warning: My 'quick' window screen fix in Albuquerque took all weekend

I thought replacing a torn screen on my back porch door would take maybe an hour. I bought a new roll of screen mesh and a spline tool from the hardware store on Friday afternoon. The old spline was so brittle and stuck in the frame that it just crumbled when I tried to pull it out. I spent three hours just picking out tiny bits of the old rubber with needle-nose pliers. Then, when I finally got the new screen in, I cut it too short and had to start over with my last piece of mesh. What should have been a simple job ended up taking me two full days of messing with it. Has anyone else in the area had this much trouble with old, dried-out screen splines?

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3 Comments

nina_butler5mo ago

Ugh, that old spline is the worst. Have you tried a utility knife to cut it out in one piece? (Way less crumbling that way).

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seth_martinez215mo ago

Seriously? It's just a piece of rubber... A knife seems like overkill for something you're throwing away anyway.

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susan4884mo ago

Saw a video from a window guy who said the same thing - cut it clean with a utility knife and it pulls out way easier than trying to pry out crumbly bits. Less mess on the frame, too, which means better grip when you're pressing the new spline in. Might try that trick next time mine gives up the ghost.

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