Preparing Your Motorized Screens for Fall

As the hot days of summer start to wind down, it's a good time to take a closer look at your patio setup. Motorized patio screens make outdoor living more enjoyable, but they also need a bit of care as the seasons change. Fall in Raleigh can bring cooler air, wind, falling leaves, and more rain, which means your screens need to be ready to handle a shift in the weather.

Getting your motorized patio screens prepped before fall arrives can help prevent wear and save time and money down the line. Instead of waiting for colder, wetter days to show you what's not working, a few quick checks and a little upkeep right now can help extend the life of your setup and keep everything running like it should. Here's how to get started.

Inspect And Clean Your Screens

Before doing anything else, give your motorized patio screens a full inspection. Look closely for small holes, bent frames, or any signs that the material may have stretched or snagged. Screens that don't line up or roll evenly could also mean something's off. It’s better to catch these issues now while the weather's still mild.

Start with a full view of the screen surface. Look for:

- Tears or gaps near the edges

- Loose connections or sagging fabric

- Inconsistent rolling or retraction

- Chips or damage to the housing or case

It also helps to test the up and down functions a few times. Listen for any unusual sounds while the screen is moving like grinding, sticking, or clicking. These could be signs of something going wrong inside the motor or track.

Once the inspection is done, give the screen a good cleaning. Summer storms and pollen can leave behind a layer of grime that’s easy to miss until it builds up. Use a soft cloth with water or a light soap solution. Avoid anything too strong that could damage the screen’s coating. A handheld vacuum can also help remove dust from the screen edges and housing unit without pulling or scratching the mesh. Clean tracks by wiping them with a damp cloth, and make sure nothing is blocking the screen’s path.

Screens that stay clean and damage-free work better and last longer.

Check And Maintain Mechanisms

Now that your screens are clean, it’s time to make sure the motor and hardware are in working order. Even if your screens seem to function fine, small issues in the motor or control system can quietly build up. Think of it like your garage door. Just because it opens doesn’t mean it’s running smoothly.

Check the power supply to ensure it's steady and connected correctly. If there's a remote or switch system, test that it’s communicating the way it should. Pressing a button once should roll or retract the screens without hesitation or delay. If there’s a lag in the response, or the screens only move halfway, that’s a sign to investigate further.

Here’s a simple checklist to maintain your motorized system:

- Check the power cord or wiring for frays or loose ends

- Make sure the outlet or electrical source is safe and dry

- Listen for buzzing, stalling, or inconsistent motion during use

- Clear out any spider webs or debris from around the screen housing

- Lightly lubricate moving parts like tracks and rollers with silicone-based spray

Don’t forget to test any safety stop features, like auto-retracting when resistance is sensed. These are installed to keep the screen from getting stuck or damaged and can also help protect kids or pets from accidents.

Staying on top of these small moving parts now can make a huge difference once fall weather moves in. Cold and damp conditions tend to expose any weak points in the system pretty quickly. A little attention now goes a long way in keeping things hassle-free later.

Improve Weather Protection

With fall approaching, it’s important to think about how to brace your motorized screens against cooler and wetter weather. Start by sealing any gaps around the screens. This helps stop drafts, pests, and moisture from sneaking into your porch. Even small cracks can lead to larger problems if they aren’t handled early. Grab some weather-stripping materials and apply them to areas where there's air or water getting through. It's a simple fix that can block out unwanted elements.

Next, consider adding weather-resistant covers. These give your screens an extra layer of protection when they’re not in use. Rain and wind can be tough on any outdoor feature, but using a protective cover helps minimize exposure and wear. If you live in a spot that gets heavy fall rains, adding an extra screen layer might provide better insulation and block wind more efficiently.

Make sure your motorized screens are fitted properly. If wind can get under loose material or gaps, it could strain the motor and cause damage over time. Go around each screen and make sure it’s snug in place. Don’t ignore minor shifts or uneven movement. These are easier to handle now and could prevent bigger issues later.

Schedule Professional Maintenance

There’s a lot you can do with regular check-ups and cleaning, but for deeper issues, it helps to call in the pros. Hiring Raleigh Screen Solutions for professional maintenance means everything gets checked—from the outside parts to the inner hardware. A technician can look at all the electrical connections, test the motor, and reconfigure the control system if it’s off.

Even if you’re experienced with home maintenance, trained professionals see things the average person might miss. It’s a good way to avoid problems that might turn into bigger costs. Instead of waiting until something fails mid-season, let a professional find potential signs of damage or wear.

Regular visits also give you the peace of mind that your screens are set for another busy season. You don’t have to second-guess your system every time the wind picks up or a rainstorm rolls in. With everything working the way it should, you’ll spend more fall evenings enjoying your porch instead of troubleshooting issues.

Ready for Fall Comfort



Once your motorized patio screens are clean, tuned up, and weather-ready, you’re all set to enjoy your time outside without worry. Fall in Raleigh brings plenty of cool evenings and breezy weather, and having your screens in top shape makes it that much easier to relax outdoors.

Doing a little work now—inspecting the screens, testing the motor, sealing up gaps, and getting professional maintenance—saves a lot of hassle later. The payoff is a screened-in space that keeps bugs out, blocks wind and moisture, and delivers comfort all season long. Preparing ahead keeps your system protected and running smooth while helping your screens last longer.

So unwrap that throw blanket, grab a warm drink, and take in the crisp fall air from the comfort of your porch. With your motorized screens ready, you’ve got one less thing to worry about this season.

To make sure your outdoor space is ready for cooler days ahead, Raleigh Screen Solutions offers expert service to keep everything running smoothly. Learn how our motorized patio screens can protect your porch while adding comfort and convenience this fall.