Repairing a Shower Curtain with a Grommet Tool
Grommet Tools
A typical grommet tool set consists of a metal hole punch a few inches in length, a tool in which to attach grommets to grommet rings, and a base for the grommets to rest upon during attachment. In addition to a grommet tool, you’ll need a heavy hammer in which to pound the grommets and rings together. You’ll also want to complete the repair on a hard indestructible surface such as a slab of metal, a heavy-duty workbench, or a concrete floor. If working directly on a concrete floor, be sure to place a piece of wood beneath the area to protect the concrete.
Repairing Tarpaulins
A tarp can be an expensive item, depending on the size and weight. Why throw away an otherwise good tarp when the only thing wrong is a missing grommet or a ripped hole? Invest in a grommet tool, and a tarpaulin will last indefinitely.
Begin to repair a damaged tarp by making a new hole in which to attach a new grommet. Use the hole punch included in the kit to create a new hole. Make sure the area you are working on won’t be damaged, and take precautions to protect the area if necessary. Position the hole punch over the area of the tarp, and pound the hole punch with a hammer. Hole punches are usually quite sharp, and it should pierce the material quickly and easily.
After making a new hole in the damaged tarp, put one side of a grommet through the hole, and turn the tarp over. Place a grommet ring over the edge of the grommet, and place the two attached grommets over the grommet tool base. Place the grommet tool through the hole of the grommet so it meets the grommet base. Pound the end of the tool several times to attach the new grommet. You now have a tarp you can continue to tie down and use as intended. As holes rip and old grommets fall off, replace them and you’ll have a tarp that could last for many years.
Repairing Damaged Shower Curtain Liners
Shower curtain liners greatly range in price depending on the weight of the plastic and the quality of reinforcements surrounding the holes. No matter the quality or the cost, shower curtains eventually succumb to the wear and tear imposed by opening and closing. Kids are especially hard on shower curtains because their short stature forces them to pull hard in order to open and close the curtain. New holes form, and finally the shower curtain is no longer useable. Why throw away a good shower curtain liner when a hole forms? Repair the liner, and continue repairing the liner until it’s no longer repairable.
A grommet tool and grommets can be used to repair a shower curtain using the same method as repairing a damaged tarp. Simply make new holes, and reinforce the holes with metal grommets. When and if those holes rip, make new holes close to the old holes, and repair the shower curtain again.
It’s a good idea to reinforce shower curtain liner holes before they have a chance to rip. After buying a new shower curtain, but an appropriately sized grommet tool and grommets, and install the grommets to reinforce the holes. This is a good way to make a cheap shower curtain liner as good as an expensive shower curtain liner, only at a much lower price.
Repairing and reusing items such as plastic or canvas tarpaulins and shower curtain liners is a great way to save money and help the environment. In our throw away society it’s time to start looking for innovative ways to repair and reuse items we used to discard.
