keep ’em working

Simple roller shades are practical and add vintage charm, but may loosen and need adjustment. Some pointers from Select Blinds [selectblinds.com]:

> A roller shade uses a hollow tube (typically aluminum) with a coiled spring inside. When you pull down on the shade, tension increases on the spring. When you stop pulling, a ratchet and pin on one end of the roller hold the spring tension. On the opposite end, a free turning pin mounts into the bracket. Occasionally the spring will uncoil and the shade won’t work properly. To adjust: • TIGHTEN THE SPRING TENSION Pull the shade down about halfway. Remove it from the brackets. Roll up the shade by hand, being careful to roll it evenly on the tube. Replace the roller shade in the brackets. Repeat until the tension is good. • LOOSEN THE SPRING TENSION Roll up the shade and remove it from the brackets. Unroll the shade halfway, by hand. Replace the roller shade in the brackets. Repeat as necessary. • ADJUST A FULLY UNCOILED SPRING Remove the shade from the brackets and unroll it halfway. Use pliers to turn the pin on the spring side until you feel tension, then back off so the pawl (a latch that allows movement in only one direction) hooks onto the ratchet. Loosen or tighten tension as necessary, using instructions above. • RELEASE A SPRING LOCKED

IN THE COIL Remove the shade. Use pliers to grip the pin and twist it clockwise to free the pawl. Release it quickly to unwind the coil. Loosen or tighten tension as above.