Curtain rail repair

Curtain rails usually fail in one way: they pull out of the wall plugs and all, because the curtains are heavier than whoever put them up expected. Add bent tracks, broken brackets and gliders that refuse to slide. Curtain rail repair is usually a short job, as long as the wall allows a solid fixing.

What the handyman usually does

• refixing a pulled-out rail in a new spot or on stronger plugs;
• replacing brackets, supports or end caps;
• replacing or straightening the track and adding missing gliders or rings;
• moving the rail to the ceiling when there is a lintel above the window that is hard to drill.

Why curtain rails fall down

Above windows in blocks of flats there is often a reinforced concrete lintel that a drill bit struggles with, and next to it weak plaster or a void. The plug then holds only in plaster and pulls out under a heavy curtain. The handyman checks what they are drilling into and picks the fixing: longer plugs, plugs for hollow blocks, plasterboard fixings, or mounting to the ceiling. For heavy blackout curtains and long rails they add a centre bracket as well.

What to prepare

Take down the curtains and nets if you can, and have new parts ready if the rail is being replaced. In the job, say what kind of wall or ceiling it is and how many rails need fixing, and add a photo of where it attaches.

Common questions