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How
To |
DIY - Curtains
and Curtain Track |
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Chinese fittings around your home may
give you problems, especially in older apartments. The
two most common problems are broken wardrobe hinges,
and broken curtain rail supports.
These are jobs you should probably consider rectifying
yourself, as they are quite simple to repair and basically
require only a suitable screwdriver.
Replacing Chinese curtain rail supports.
Curtain Rails
It is likely your apartment has curtain rails that are
supported at both ends by low quality anchors, and a
'chrome plated' rod fitting between them. From this
the sliders are added, from which you hang the curtains.
There are two common problems:
1. The 'anchors' break.
2. The 'anchors' come out of
the wall.
+ A mixture of both is pretty
common.
Theoretically, replacement is pretty simple -
just so long as you get the size and quality of
the replacement parts right. There are commonly
3 sizes or diameters of rods, with only two of
these being supported by the majority of hardware
stores. Most replacement fittings are not worth
buying, being very light and prone to breaking
at the base as soon as any pressure is applied
(Tightening a fixing screw). Medium quality ones
are available, and are substantially heavier.
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You are doubtless replacing these because you can't
hang any curtains. Reasonable quality replacements may
have different screw hole settings, so you will probably
need to look at drilling new holes into the wall. These
may be compromised by existing holes, so plan ahead.
You can buy power drills in China at any decent outlet,
and know cordless versions by Bosch and Makita are available
for very reasonable money. I brought out my 'professional'
De Walt 18 Volt from UK - although Customs at UK airports
made a great palaver about it - so best inform them
in advance and be prepared for extra x-ray's, etc.
Most Chinese drill bits are very cheap and worthless
after a single use - unless drilling children's Plasticine
or making holes in Apples. By contrast, most Chinese
walls are pretty hard. Therefore pay premium for Bosch
drill bits, which are sized in millimeters as in the
west. For curtain track you need 6.5mm masonry drills
(Y30 +) and the shop that sells these will also sell
appropriate and quality rawl plugs and screws.
Once you have all the required parts in place, set about
replacing the broken track supports. You should first
fit the new support by drilling all holes, adding rawl
plugs, and putting the screws most of the way in. Toggle
the new fitting so you can fit the curtain rod, support
and tighten. Ensure the rod cannot come out of the fittings.
We are working on the premise that one support is still
functional, so if this is the case, be careful when
fitting the new support, as any lateral pressure can
break the 'cup' of the existing one at the other end.
Stand back and admire your work, and repeat the fitting
process once you realise you have not put the curtain
support rings on the track.
Treat all old fittings as if they are made of 'eggshells'
- and I am not joking!
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