Introduction
Many outdoor firepit spark screen lids develop holes in the mesh due to constant heating, cooling, and exposure to the elements. This causes a fire hazard and burn risk to people nearby since embers can jump out of the hole in the lid. Fortunately, this guide shows you how to repair the mesh as long as the metal lid frame is intact.
Fixing a spark screen lid yourself is less costly than buying a brand-new one and does not require any welding skills. Nonetheless, caution is recommended when working with sharp metal. After you have completed your repair, you can minimize future damage to your spark screen lid by bringing it inside during periods of extreme weather and quickly patching new holes before they grow larger.
Tools
Parts
-
-
Measure the area you are replacing to determine what size steel mesh sheet you need to buy.
-
Add a few inches to your measurement on each side to ensure you will have enough mesh.
-
-
-
Flip your firepit lid frame upside-down.
-
Measure your new mesh sheet and cut it using utility scissors so that it fits the area you are replacing.
-
-
-
Insert one end of a piece of steel wire into a hole in the mesh near the outer circle of the lid frame.
-
Wrap the other end of the wire around the lid frame.
-
Cut off the excess wire using wire cutters.
-
Tightly twist the ends of the wire together using pliers.
-
Repeat Step 4 approximately every few inches around the outer circle of the frame.
-
-
-
For places where two pieces of mesh meet at the cross-bars of the lid frame, bend a piece of steel wire into a "U" shape.
-
Poke each end of the wire through a hole in one of the mesh pieces, with the bottom of the "U" wrapping around the outside of the cross-bar.
-
Twist the loose ends of the wire together using pliers.
-
Use wire cutters to remove the excess wire.
-
Bend the remaining twisted wire down so that it is not poking straight out.
-
-
-
Cut a short piece of wire for sections where the separate pieces of mesh need to be attached to each other without connecting to the lid frame.
-
Bend the wire into a narrow "U" shape and poke each end of the wire through overlapping holes in the mesh pieces.
-
Twist the loose ends of the wire together using pliers.
-
Cut off the excess wire using wire cutters.
-
Inspect your firepit lid to ensure all of the mesh is secured to the frame and there are no gaps. If part of the mesh is loose or gaping, repeat steps 4-6 as needed.