Is Your Pool Cage Safe? 5 Critical Signs You Need Rescreening in Deltona
Living in Central Florida, your pool enclosure or lanai isn’t just an "add-on", it’s a lifestyle. It’s your barrier against the massive mosquitoes of Volusia County, your shade from the brutal July sun, and your front row seat to our famous thunderstorms.
But like everything else in your home, screens have a lifespan.
Most homeowners in Deltona and DeBary wait until they see a gaping hole to call for repairs. While a hole is definitely a problem, waiting that long can actually cost you more in the long run. In fact, there is a "Silent Sign" of screen failure that almost everyone misses, a specific visual cue that tells you your screens are structurally compromised before they ever rip. (We’ll reveal exactly what that is at the end of this post).
If you are wondering whether you can get away with a simple patch or if you need a full pool cage rescreening, look for these top 5 warning signs.
1. The "Silvering" Effect (UV Damage)
Have you noticed your screens looking a little lighter lately?
New Phifer screen mesh (the industry standard we use) is a deep, rich black or charcoal color. This dark color actually provides the best visibility because it absorbs light rather than reflecting it. However, after years of baking in the Florida sun, the fiberglass coating begins to deteriorate.
As the coating wears off, the fiberglass underneath is exposed, turning the screen a shiny, metallic silver or white color.
Why this matters:
Visibility: "Silver" screens reflect sunlight, creating glare that makes it harder to see your pool.
Weakness: If your screen has lost its color, it has lost its protection. It is now significantly weaker and prone to blowing out during the next tropical storm or hurricane.
2. The "Crispy" Texture Test
We see this all the time on screen repair calls in Deltona. A homeowner leans a pool noodle against the screen, or a dog barely brushes past it, and RIP, the screen splits open like wet paper.
This happens because the plasticizers in the mesh have evaporated. High-quality screen mesh is designed to be flexible; it should give and bounce back when pushed.
Try the Touch Test:
Find a discrete corner of your lanai and gently press your finger into the mesh.
Good Screen: Feels like fabric; it bends and bounces back.
Bad Screen: Feels like a dry cracker; it crunches or feels stiff.
If your screens are "crispy," you are living on borrowed time. A full lanai screen replacement is the only way to ensure your patio is secure against the elements.
3. Sagging or "Pillowing" Screens
Your screens should be tight, flat, and almost invisible. If you look at your cage and see panels that look loose, wavy, or "pillowing" out like a sail, you have an issue.
This can happen for a few reasons:
Improper Installation: The original installer may not have used the correct spline size.
Storm Damage: High winds from recent hurricane seasons may have stretched the mesh beyond its elastic limit.
Age: The rubber spline that holds the screen in the groove can shrink and dry rot over time (just like the tires on a car).
The Danger: Sagging screens catch the wind rather than letting it pass through. This puts immense pressure on your aluminum frame, potentially causing structural damage to the cage itself during high winds.
4. Green Algae and Mold Growth
In shady areas like DeBary or heavily wooded parts of Orange City, algae is a constant battle. You might see a green or black film growing on your screens, particularly near the bottom or on the roof panels.
While you can pressure wash screens (carefully!), chronic algae growth attaches to the fibers and eats away at them. Furthermore, the weight of the moss and debris pulls on the screens 24/7, accelerating the sagging process mentioned above.
If your screens are older and covered in algae, power washing might actually blow right through them. In this case, a fresh start with new, antimicrobial-resistant mesh is often the safer investment.
5. Shiny Tears Near the Spline
Obviously, if you have a hole in the middle of a panel, you know you need a repair. But look closely at the edges of the panels, right where the screen meets the metal frame.
Do you see tiny tears or separation?
This is where the tension is highest. As screens shrink from heat exposure, they pull away from the spline. Once the edge separates, mosquitoes, lizards, and palmetto bugs have a free pass into your patio. No amount of "patching" will fix an edge tear, the entire panel must be replaced to ensure a bug-tight seal.
Why "Patching" Often Isn't Enough
We understand the temptation to just tape over a hole or replace a single panel. And at Shiloh Screens LLC, we are happy to do single-panel repairs when it makes sense!
However, if your screens are over 10-15 years old, replacing one panel is like putting a brand new tire on a car with three bald ones. The new screen will be black and strong, while the old ones will look gray and weak next to it. Plus, the pressure of installing the new screen can sometimes cause the brittle old ones nearby to tear.
The Professional Difference
When you hire a professional for screen repair in Deltona, you aren't just buying mesh. You are buying:
Safety: We have the ladders, insurance, and equipment to reach high pool enclosure roofs safely.
Speed: We get the job done efficiently so you can get back to swimming.
Quality Materials: We exclusively use Phifer screen mesh, made in the USA. Whether you need standard 18/14 mesh, heavy-duty Pet Screen, or No-See-Um mesh, we install products that last.
The "Silent Sign" Revealed
At the start of this post, we mentioned a "Silent Sign" of failure.
It’s the sound.
Or rather, the lack of sound. Healthy, tight screens have a distinct "drum-tight" vibration when the wind hits them or when tapped. If your screens flap silently or rattle in the wind, the tension is gone.
But the biggest mystery we promised to solve is the visual cue: It’s the fiberglass bloom.
If you look at your screen at a sharp angle in the sunlight and see "glitter" or tiny shiny fibers sticking out of the mesh, that is fiberglass bloom. It means the protective vinyl coating is 100% gone. The very next strong wind will tear that screen.
If you see the glitter, it's time to call the glitter-removal squad (that’s us).
Ready to Enjoy Your Patio Again?
Don't let torn screens or "crispy" mesh ruin your outdoor relaxation. Whether you need a few panels fixed or a full cage restoration, Shiloh Screens LLC is your local expert in Volusia County.
We treat your home with respect, offer honest assessments, and use only the best materials available.
Get a Free Estimate Today:
📞 Call or Text: (386) 349-0874
💻 Visit: www.shilohscreens.com
Stop the bugs. Stop the sun. Start enjoying the breeze.
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