Retractable Screen Door Problem

[luckyone]

I ordered the screen door part from Seiki almost 3 weeks ago. I now realize they are a Japanese company. Any thoughts or experience as to when I might receive those items?

[Rossue]

I have ordered twice from them- cannot remember the time frame receiving, however three weeks sounds too long. Try this email address:

ms.seikiscreensystems@gmail.com

[KirkB]

Perhaps your item is on backorder.

I got an overnight email response from the 'contact us' form on their website.

I had forgotten how long my order took, but checked my old emails. It took 6 days to get the the shipping notice from PayPal, the item arrived (shipped to Canada) a week later. My order and shipping tracking messages came directly from PayPal.

https://ssl.seikiscreensystems.com/contacts/index.php

[Mike G]

Originally Posted by Dave Walter

When I installed the handle on my screen door, I accidently drilled through a string that ties all of the little black plastic pieces together on the bottom and up the inside edge of the door. What a mess. Black plastic pieces all over the place. I ended up disassembling the door and tying everything back together with a new piece of string. Worked just like new afterwards. I even had a few spare black plastic pieces left over.

My screen door closes fine when I'm inside the trailer because my hand is exerting a slight amount of outward pressure while closing, so it aligns great with the latch. But when I'm outside the trailer, I have to use my fingernails on the back edge of the aluminum to pull the thing outward a couple millimeters so it can latch. I was about ready to drill screw holes and install a door pull when I (fortunately) read this post. Can anyone clarify if there's a way to avoid severing the string when drilling holes? Or is there a better way to secure a handle or pull of some sort? TIA.

[KirkB]

Originally Posted by Mike G

My screen door closes fine when I'm inside the trailer because my hand is exerting a slight amount of outward pressure while closing, so it aligns great with the latch. But when I'm outside the trailer, I have to use my fingernails on the back edge of the aluminum to pull the thing outward a couple millimeters so it can latch. I was about ready to drill screw holes and install a door pull when I (fortunately) read this post. Can anyone clarify if there's a way to avoid severing the string when drilling holes? Or is there a better way to secure a handle or pull of some sort? TIA.

My suggestion would be to first clean the black track, and adjust the screen tension at the top and bottom of the door. That might make the door easier to close. I had trouble getting my door to latch until I took everything apart and gave everything a good cleaning and adjustment while replacing my broken part.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by KirkB

My suggestion would be to first clean the black track, and adjust the screen tension at the top and bottom of the door. That might make the door easier to close. I had trouble getting my door to latch until I took everything apart and gave everything a good cleaning and adjustment while replacing my broken part.

Just a reminder for those that may be adjusting their screen that the main spring tension adjustment is done at the bottom.

[Mike G]

Originally Posted by KirkB

My suggestion would be to first clean the black track, and adjust the screen tension at the top and bottom of the door. That might make the door easier to close. I had trouble getting my door to latch until I took everything apart and gave everything a good cleaning and adjustment while replacing my broken part.

Thanks, but I'm having trouble envisioning how that would help move the door outward (toward the outside) at the point of the latch mechanism. Wouldn't those steps merely change how the door moves from side-to-side?

[KirkB]

Originally Posted by Mike G

Thanks, but I'm having trouble envisioning how that would help move the door outward (toward the outside) at the point of the latch mechanism. Wouldn't those steps merely change how the door moves from side-to-side?

I realize that making the door easier to pull closed does not change the position, but I found that the door was easier to latch if only light pressure was needed to pull it shut.

[Rossue]

Yep- a finicky thing. Although most of the adjustment is on the bottom- the top does have some effect on the taughtness of the screen across the frame. Perhaps the seller trying to make it work for the sale to you overtightened the bottom. Try backing it off a bit going counter clockwise.

[Mike G]

Let's envision a square object that you're trying to insert in a square hole of the same size. If the object is not properly aligned (a bit to the right or the left) it will not go in. That is what the screen door and latch point are like. If one could be the screen (looking straight on toward the latch point), one would see that latch a bit to the right rather than straight ahead. If I'm inside, the small pressure of my hand pushing the screen across for closure is enough to create perfect alignment. But when I'm outside the trailer, my hand pressure accentuates the eventual misalignment.

I don't care how little spring pressure there is to hold the screen back. It isn't going to make the alignment better. It's just going to go "Bam!" (collide) a little harder and faster. Thus, when outside the trailer, it is desirable to pull outward slightly on that screen door's leading bar. That is where a small door/drawer pull would be perfect. I guess if I can find a self-adhesive one that will fit in that narrow indent (slightly less than 3/4" wide) I will buy it, but so far everything I've found on Amazon is too wide. And I'm not going to drill if it risks severing the cord.