When you’re relaxing at the cottage for the weekend, the last thing you want to deal with is pesky critters and creepy crawlers invading your space.

Most of the time, we don’t often give window screens much thought, they are simply there doing whatever they can to improve our lives when we open our windows.

No matter what kind of screen you buy, you can be sure that it will keep bugs out if it is installed properly and doesn’t have any holes in it. Screens are very effective in their job, which is why when. You are searching for Lake of Bays cottages, you’ll see many of them come pre-installed with them on the windows and doors!

Despite their effectiveness, screens can occasionally develop rips, tears, and holes because they are not impervious to damage and do not last indefinitely.

With adhesive mesh netting patches or tape, small rips and holes under three inches in diameter, length, or width are quickly patched up. Larger repairs requiring sewing and reinforcement with adhesive mesh netting patches or tapes for added strength range in size from three to twelve inches.

Here’s the steps to do some simple DIY repairs on your cottage’s mesh screens!

For Small Fixes

Step 1

Using a cotton ball or pad soaked in alcohol, tidy up the edges of the hole or rip. Let the alcohol dry out.

Step 2

Trim two pieces of mesh netting tape or adhesive patches so they are 1/4-inch wider and longer than the rip or hole. On cut square or rectangular patches or tape, round any sharp edges. One patch should have its paper or plastic backing removed.

Step 3

Put your hand—or something flat like a book, folder, or piece of wood—behind the tear or hole. Over the damaged area, centre and apply one patch or piece of tape. To ensure a strong connection between the adhesive and the mesh netting, rub it firmly.

Step 4

Lay a flat object or your hand against the side of the mesh rip or hole that has been repaired. Use the other piece of mesh netting tape or remove the backing from the other adhesive patch. The remaining patch or tape should be centred and pressed over the rip or hole’s opposite side. Rub firmly to help the adhesive and mesh netting fabric join together.

For Big Fixes

Step 1

Use a cotton ball or pad soaked in alcohol to clean the hole or rip’s edges. Let the alcohol dry out.

Step 2

If the mesh netting fabric is made of nylon, thread a sewing needle with nylon, otherwise with polyester. Use polyester thread if you’re unsure because nylon thread can harm polyester. Knot the thread’s end.

Step 3

Hold the rip or hole’s edges together. Sew the edges firmly together.

Step 4

Measure the rip or hole and cut two pieces of adhesive mesh netting tape or a patch that are about an inch wider and longer than it.

Step 5

Put a flat object up against the side of the rip or hole that was sewn. One adhesive patch’s backing should be removed, or the tape should be ready. Place in the middle and apply pressure to the sewn rip or hole. To encourage a bond between the adhesive and the mesh netting, rub firmly. Repeat on the other side of the rip or hole that was sewn.