Washing line retension in Exeter
Professional washing line retension services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
30-45 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Saggy washing line tightened back up so your laundry hangs clear of the ground again. Posts checked and secured if needed - simple job that makes a big difference.
When Your Line Gives Up
Remember when your washing line was actually taut enough to use? Now your bedsheets are dragging on the grass and you're regretting ever hanging them out.
Washing lines stretch over time. Tensioners work loose. Posts shift. Devon wind and weight of wet laundry doesn't help.
Quick fix gets it usable again.
💡 Pro tip: Check your washing line tension every spring - much easier to maintain than wait till it's completely useless.
What Usually Needs Doing
Most saggy lines are fixable without replacement - just needs proper retensioning.
| ✅ Likely Fix | ❌ Needs Replacement If... |
|---|---|
| Tighten existing tensioner | Line is perished or frayed |
| Add new tensioner | Posts are completely rotten |
| Secure loose posts | Rotary dryer mechanism is broken |
| Adjust rotary dryer tension | Plastic has gone brittle and cracked |
What's Involved
🔧 The Fix
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Check | Test line condition, check posts are solid |
| Adjust | Retension line or adjust rotary mechanism |
| Secure | Fix any loose posts if needed |
📦 You're Left With
- Washing line that's actually usable again
- Honest advice if replacement's needed instead
Pricing
| Job | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Standard washing line retension | 30-45 mins | £60 |
| With post securing | 1 hr | £60 |
| Rotary dryer adjustment | 30 mins | £60 |
Fixed £60 price for straightforward retensioning. If posts need major work or replacement, I'll quote for that separately.
Perfect For...
✅ Saggy traditional lines - stretched over time
✅ Rotary dryers - won't stay tight anymore
✅ Slightly loose posts - need securing
✅ New house move - line's been neglected
Why Choose Us for Washing line retension in Exeter?
Line pulled tight so washing hangs clear
Posts checked and secured if loose
Honest advice if line needs replacing
Quick job - usually under an hour
What to Expect
Step 1: Inspect Everything
Check the line's condition, test the posts, see what's actually causing the sag. Sometimes it's obvious, sometimes it's a combination.
Step 2: Retension
Tighten the line properly using the tensioner or adjust the rotary dryer mechanism. Check posts are secure while I'm at it.
Step 3: Test
Load it up (figuratively) and make sure it's holding tight. If there are any concerns about durability, I'll tell you.
🔧 DIY Tips
If you want to have a go yourself:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Spanner or pliers (for tensioner bolts)
- Stepladder if posts are tall
- Spade if posts need packing
- Possibly: new line tensioner (£5-10 from hardware shop)
🪢 Tightening traditional lines
- Find the tensioner (usually near one post)
- Loosen the lock nut
- Turn the tensioning bolt to take up slack
- Re-tighten the lock nut
- Test with weight
🌀 Rotary dryer tension
- Most have an adjustment mechanism at the top
- Some need the central pole securing in the ground socket
- Check manufacturer instructions (usually on a label)
📏 Checking posts
- Wobble test - should be solid
- Check ground level for rot on wooden posts
- Metal posts: check the concrete collar hasn't cracked
- Can be packed/secured with postcrete if slightly loose
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Over-tightening old perished line (it snaps)
- Not checking post stability first
- Tightening one section but missing another (multiple lines)
- Ignoring rotten posts - retensioning's pointless
💡 Pro trick: If your posts are slightly loose but not rotten, you can often stabilize them by packing postcrete around the base. Cheap fix and lasts years.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌧️ Line still usable but saggy? Get it done before it gets worse. Easier to retension early than wait till posts are leaning and lines are dragging.
Old washing lines? Sometimes the line itself is past saving - perished, frayed, or just ancient. I'll be honest if you need replacement rather than retensioning.
Moved to a house with a rotary dryer you've never used? They're brilliant when they work properly. Quick adjustment usually gets them back to usefulness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you tighten a washing line that's gone really saggy?
Yes - usually there's still adjustment left in the tensioner, or I can add a new one. If it's a rotary dryer, the lines can be retensioned. I'll check the posts too - sometimes they've moved and that's what's causing the sag.
What if the posts are loose as well?
I'll check them and secure them if needed - often concrete collars have cracked or the post has rotted at ground level. If the post is properly rotten, I'll advise replacement rather than just retensioning a line that'll sag again in a week.
Will retensioning damage the line?
Not if it's done properly. I'll check the line's condition first - if it's perished or frayed, tightening it might make it snap. Better to replace it than have your washing on the ground mid-week.
My rotary dryer won't stay tight - can you fix that?
Usually yes. The tension mechanism might need adjusting or the central pole might be loose. I'll check the whole thing - sometimes the ground socket has moved and that's the real problem.
How long does washing line retensioning take?
Usually 30-45 minutes for a standard line. Rotary dryers can be quicker. If posts need securing too, maybe an hour total. I'll let you know if there are any issues.
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