Hunter Douglas Blind Repair; Things They Don't Tell You

[@spark062671]

An absolutely invaluable - essential - video for those who have older Hunter Douglas shades. Clear and extremely well done. Thank you.

[@suburbandiy]

Thank you for your kind words Steven. This video is the most popular of all the North Phx Suburbanstead videos. Our main objective was to contribute back to the KZbin community. Meaning, we at the North Phx Suburbanstead have been a benefactor of KZbin, and we believe it's our responsibility to give back when & where we can. On this particular topic, there's a fair amount of content available on Hunter Douglas blind repair... but none of it covered these types of tips & tricks. We took our time with the repairs, but if we had this type of information prior to executing, we're confident we would have been more productive. Lot's more to come!

[@rossreishus8987]

Thank you so much for this video! We had our (large) puppy chew the draw cord off, and then ran away with part of it, then came back to try and pull the whole shade down, and instead got hold of some of the tape/string, ran off with that...and it was a disaster. We left the shade down for 3 years and now that our dog stopped doing those things, we got it working thanks to you!

[@suburbandiy]

Hi Ross, thank you for your kind words! KZbin has been a great resource for us. So happy to know that we’ve contributed back to the community. We have many more projects & videos in the queue. Hopefully we’ll help many more… or at least offer some entertainment value. Thx for subscribing!

[@davidsvir9756]

Tip: if you only replace one and not all, you will need to still loosen the end of the tape and pull it all the way out just like a new one. This way they are all at the same starting point and will rotate the same way. I learned this the hard way. I replaced 2/3 and not 3/3. When I pulled on the rope to raise the blinds, the new sections went up and the old side went down. When I reversed directions the old side went up and the new side went down! Finally figured it out. I hope this tip saves other people from making the same mistake or at least how to fix.

[@suburbandiy]

Awesome tip… Thank you! We too learned the same the hard way. But every time we make these fixes, we get faster and smarter.

[@robinbeck8422]

This has been the best instructions I've received. Thank you!

[@suburbandiy]

Thank you Robin! Really happy you found value in the video. It's been our most popular video, and we've received several very kind comments like yours. We're currently working on another 'Things They Don't Tell You' video, and are making plans to add a bunch more throughout the year. Thanks again!

[@robinbeck8422]

@@suburbandiy I couldn't get down the blinds until I saw you pop the headrail with your palm!!☺️

[@suburbandiy]

Nice! It appears from other comments there are 2 schools of thought on how to remove the blinds. I like you, like the palm and roll technique. Others say to undo the bottom clip and remove from bottom up. Not sure which is best, but I’m sure both techniques work.

[@TanyaScorpio]

Mine is broke...i was just looking up videos on how to clean my silhouette blinds. I honestly didn't think i could fix my other issue. I actually contacted hunter Douglas to get brackets they were excellent with service and sent them to me for free. Do you have any videos on washing them? I'm saving this video.. Thank you again

[@suburbandiy]

I vacuum them and lightly wipe them with a damp cloth.

[@TanyaScorpio]

@@suburbandiy hey....ended up after hunter Douglas researching my blinds have been discontinued so they have no parts. I literally now roll them up and have folder flips on each side to keep them up. Thank goodness it looks pretty decent and no one knows. Ugh

[@suburbandiy]

Hmmm… my blinds are old and discontinued too. However, Hunter Douglas had the parts. Are you still manually raise and lower?

[@amhey1]

The prewound reels don't have long enough tape for our biggest window. Hunter Douglas sent more cord which is like dental tape. It frayed badly. I've replaced the cord so many times and this time it was so frayed I may try stronger cylindrical cord. I removed 3 weights from the bottom as it is so heavy on this attempt at repair. There are only 3 lift cords.

[@suburbandiy]

Hi Angela, Thanks for the comment… very helpful. May I ask the length (height) of your blinds? The reason I ask, is because when I was making the spool replacements, I actually thought there was too much tape. 😊 Did you subscribe to the channel? We have lots more ‘fixing things’ videos… and making things too!

[@amhey1]

@@suburbandiy 10ft 6" is the height of the blinds - I fixed them this time not with the dental tape type cord but with string-like cord that is on some of our lighter blinds - it seems stronger but might bind sometimes - it seems OK if the blind is wound up from the ground for now. I actually had to turn the blind upside down - not this time but the time before when I repaired it as the tool that Hunter Douglas provides for going through the blinds was inadequate and I tried a big fat needle but made a hole near the top of the blind -so I chopped a few rows off and turned it upside down. This time I pulled 3 weights out of the blind - it was always far too heavy and it still drops OK. I do wonder if one weight was put in by mistake as 2 were side-by-side. The blind in itself is not that heavy but with the weights it is huge - it covers double doors so is quite wide too.

[@vpking77]

Exactly the cord they use is terrible. I don't think they understand the stress that opening and closing shades puts on the cord. You would think in their testing lab they would raise and lower shades thousands of times to see how quickly the cords fail. So basically I have to pay a blind repair company where I live a couple hundred of dollars to remove the shades and repair the cord. I can't DIY. I am not handy with tools. The best I can do is change out a light bulb. Hunter Douglas sent me the parts but the blinds are over 10 years old. I remember having slat blinds in my house growing up in the 50's and 60's. The cords they used in those blinds never broke. They used thick cord that lasted forever.

[@cherenethompson8848]

Do you know how I can restring my Home Decorators cordless bottom up top down cellular blinds, I can't find any video or instructions that make sense?

[@suburbandiy]

Hi Cherene, thanks for reaching-out. I’ve only worked on HD corded blinds. My gut tells me the your Home Decorators cordless blinds work similarly… difference however, is it might be a little tougher to string a new line, given it’s all enclosed, and the clutch assembly has an auto stop and start mechanism. Meaning, is it possible to get inside to the clutch assembly? Another thought… if memory serves me Home Decorators brand is via Home Depot. Do you get yours from them? My experience Is that Home Depot is super customer service oriented… I’d like to think they’d guide you to a solution to repair. Let us know!

[@Kpiperful]

Very helpful!

[@suburbandiy]

This is the most popular video on the channel... by far!

[@r.mercado9737]

It would appear as though some steps may be missing. However, thank you. Semper Fi

[@suburbandiy]

Thx R. Mercado. Please reply with the things that appear to be missing… so we can all learn together.

[@patriciaingraldi4719]

Excellent tutorial

[@suburbandiy]

Thx Patricia! I wish i had these understandings before i took on the project... hopefully the video is helping others.

[@t1ryan]

We have three of these that open top and bottom and break every 3-4 years. I am hopeful the mechanisms inside are about the same. The hint in the video was "heat" , which we have a lot, and the cheap plastic parts, which seems inevitable. But now I have a plan that doesn't involve the dumpster after the warranty ends. (assuming I can buy the "motors" and those little plastic cap and plug things for less than the cost of the blinds) Thanks!

[@suburbandiy]

Hi Thomas - TY for watching and commenting. We're in Phoenix AZ. We have both heat and dry air. Even after 10+ years the plastics (clutch & spools) were operational. Our challenge was the 'tape' (aka string or rope). They dried-out and broke (and frayed) and therefore the blinds would neither lift nor lower. We're not sponsored by Hunter Douglas, but they rock! I used their online service to acquire parts replacement at no charge. The system allowed me to upload pics of the broken tape... they sent me brand new spools with the tape already installed. Nice! In short, consider engaging HD during or post warranty... should be no charge! If curious, rather than hiring someone or dumpster, DIY is at the very core of the North PHX Suburbenstead. And it's KZbin that makes the DIY a reality. Our goal is to contribute back to YT, so that others like you can gain from the content. Thank you again! Lot's more videos in the queue.

[@leroymoldenhauer3190]

Hi, I'm wondering if you can help me with a vertical blind problem? I've installed two used split draw vertical blinds and they don't close in the middle. I'm looking to get them together somehow. Is there an adjustment somewhere? Thanks, Lee

[@suburbandiy]

Hi Lee, thanks for engaging the North Phx Suburbanstead to help with your challenge. I’ve refreshed vertical blinds, but they were covering sliding glass doors that open from 1 side… not in the middle / center split. I’ve seen center split blinds as 1 unit… not 2 separate units. I recall the vertical slats looked wider at the split. Might wider slats where the 2 blinds meet, solve the ‘close in the middle’ challenge? NPSS

[@trikerjon]

Excellent video, thank you👍

[@suburbandiy]

TY trikerjon. This is our most popular video. We're currently working on more topics like this... "things they don't tell you". Did you subscribe & choose 'all' notification bell? We would love to get your feedback on forthcoming similar videos.

[@ATimeOfHope]

I was completely stuck until I watched your video. The online instructions are for a newer version.

[@suburbandiy]

Hi Greg- so glad you found value in the video. I too struggled with finding relevant instructions. In fact, that’s what compelled us to make the video. Did you subscribe to the channel? We have several similar videos posted, and quite a few in the queue (still editing). North Phoenix suburbanstead

[@trikerjon]

I followed the video, but there was no information regarding restringing the spools. I re strung them and rehung the blind and when I raise it, one side raises and lowers faster than the other. Any suggestions ?

[@suburbandiy]

Hi trkerjon - thx for reaching-out again! I'm not professionally trained... just a guy with a desire to fix it myself... to date, I've done 18 of these. Hmmm... if one side raises and lowers faster then the other, perhaps the tape is not seated correctly in the spool assembly? Perhaps, the the spool assembly is slipping on the clutch rod? Are both spool assemblies brand new? Are the tapes (rope, string) exactly the same type? Would you let us know of that works for you?

[@roamer566]

Good video, thanks!

[@suburbandiy]

Hi Roamer - thanks for watching! We've received very kind comments about the episode, which is out most popular video by far. As as result, we've got a few more 'things they don't tell you' videos in the queue. Did you subscribe to the channel? If yes, consider choosing the 'all' notification bell... it will automatically prompt you when the next video drops.

[@auggiedoggiesmommy1734]

I’m going to lose my mind trying to get my blind put back up. It’s on 3 brackets and I tried for three hours sweating to death trying to rehang the Hunter Douglas blind that I’ve had for 2months. One bracket would attach and no others ….so I’d have to undo the one and try again…then every time you take it down again you risk breaking the bracket. I’m seriously unhappy.

[@suburbandiy]

Just posted this new Hunter Douglas Shade repair video… includes 3-bracket removal and install. Hope this helps: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3TQgoGwr56XpdU

[@dianebedwell2698]

How do you stop the top blind slat from bowing on the level lore blinds

[@suburbandiy]

Hi Diane. Thx for reaching out. I'm not sure i'm a good source to assist, as I haven't experienced slats bowing. Nor am I familiar with 'level lore'. If however, they are honeycomb fabrics-based blinds, perhaps the top rail needs and additional support mount to the wall above the window. If it's the fabric itself, perhaps there is a way to tighten them? Hope this helps BTW - did you subscribe to the channel? We have many more 'fixing things' videos already posted, and several more in the queue. North Phoenix Suburbanstead.

[@rowenahall4088]

Thank you!!

[@suburbandiy]

You're welcome!

[@CoolInOlympia]

Great! Thanks!

[@suburbandiy]

You're welcome!

[@funstuffonthenet5573]

I also am not happy with my old Hunter Douglas blinds. Several of them need repair

[@suburbandiy]

Hi Fun Stuff, are you planning to DIY repairs? If yes, does the video help? North Phx Suburbanstead

[@auggiedoggiesmommy1734]

These directions for re-install are nothing like the ones Hunter Douglas sent us. They say to slid in the top tab and then push down and back …. It doesn’t work when you are hanging a long blind.

[@suburbandiy]

Hi Auggie Doggie's Mommy - thx for commenting. Sorry to learn about your challenges. I know HD has several types of brackets; depending on blind style and age. As a result, the tricks-n-tips to install/de-install are different. I too had to learn the hard way... HD's directions and even other KZbin videos don't always apply to my challenges. I think the best advise I can give you is to hang in their... no pun intended. I'm a big fan of HD... it's typically just a matter of knowhow. Hope that helps. North Phoenix Suburbanstead

[@irisheyes5890]

You skipped over how the rope fits in the end cap wheel. Go slow please so we can see. The spool. Thanks.

[@suburbandiy]

Thx IrishEyes… did you subscribe to the channel?

[@clevelandeastsider878]

No where does this video indicate the type of Hunter Douglas Blinds applicable to this repair. Is it silhouettes? Is it motorized or non-motorized? I’m looking for Hunter Douglas non-motorized. It’s very difficult to find the correct video when the content creators don’t include basic info in the title. Please clarify what blind type(s) this demo applies to and what issue(s) it addresses.

[@suburbandiy]

It’s a Duette & Applause Easy Rise Honeycomb Shade. Easy Rise is a manual system. Did you watch the video? I understand your desire to have the type of shade listed in the title, but it’s an unfair comment to say “No where…”. At the 2 minute mark, we show you how to choose your product and parts and identify the type of shade you have. Hope that helps. Let us know how it turns out for you.

[@clevelandeastsider878]

I stand corrected, u r right its clearly stated in the video what I should’ve said is no where in the title is it stated and it should be because no one should have to look through each video to try to find the type of blind being repaired when there are so many. Just put the name of the blind in the title of the video to make it much easier to find.

[@suburbandiy]

Hi Cleveland, Thank you for the recommendation. We updated the description, where the first sentence now states: Type: Duette & Applause Easy Ride Honeycomb Shade". Hopefully that will help to identify whether or not this video will be helpful to the viewer. Do you think that will help?

[@graesson]

CRITICAL INFO- to remove push the bottom tab back and pull out from the bottom not the top.

[@suburbandiy]

Thx for the tip graesson!

[@geraldmpiper]

First!

[@suburbandiy]

Like and share too! :-)