Sliding Patio Doors Repairs
Your sliding glass patio doors help bring natural light and improve your home's energy efficiency. As time passes, they could begin to show signs that need some maintenance.
Luckily, most of the issues with sliding patio doors are simple to fix. Learn more about how you can keep your patio doors looking and functioning like new:.
Dirty or Damaged Tracks
The tracks of your sliding patio door may be filthy or clogged. Over time, the grit and grime of daily use build up on the track and can cause the door to become jammed or even fall apart completely.
Including regular light cleaning of sliding doors and tracks as part of your household chores can help to reduce the amount of accumulation. Start by sweeping or vacuuming large debris off the tracks. Then make use of warm water and non-abrasive cleansing products such as dish soap to clean them. Vinegar can be added to your cleaning solution to remove stubborn dirt and grease staining.
If your sliding door is not working smoothly after you've followed these steps, it could indicate that there is more serious damage. This may require a professional to fix or replace the door. But, there are easy fixes you can try before calling experts to save on costly repairs or replacements.
Place a mat under your sliding doors. This will help trap dirt before it reaches the tracks. Also, you should cut any bushes or plants close to your sliding doors in order to reduce the amount of debris that gets tracked into the tracks. Close the door correctly to ensure that you don't damage the rollers or wheels. You can extend the life of your doors by maintaining them clean and lubricated.
Rollers that are misaligned
Occasionally the sliding patio door can become out of alignment or becomes stuck. Most often, this is due to obstructions or dirt that can be easily removed. Sometimes it's due bent tracks or a bent roller. In this instance you can straighten the rollers by removing them by using the adjustment screws, and then cleaning with ruby alcohol. These parts can be fragile.
If your doors are stuck, you can apply lubrication to the rollers. This will lessen friction and allow them to move more easily. Use a silicone-based product, since petroleum-based lubricants tend to attract dirt faster. It is also essential to clean the rollers and tracks before lubricating them.
Once you've cleaned the rollers, you can put them back in place them using the screws for adjustment. It is recommended to use the same lubricant you used for cleaning them. When reinstalling the rollers, be sure to push them all the way into their channels. Then, you can test your door to determine whether it slides more smoothly.
If the problem continues, it is possible to take the door off and inspect the rollers and tracks. If the tracks or rollers are badly bent, they may need to be replaced. In such a scenario it's a good idea to get an expert to install the tracks.
Warped Glass
Sliding glass doors are great for bringing in the outdoors and natural sunlight into rooms, however they can also be vulnerable to damages that require repair or replacement. Some of the most frequent issues that can occur are cracking, warping, and fade. The materials that compose the sliding glass patio doors start to deteriorate when exposed to heat, sunlight and other environmental factors. Cracks are often caused by impact damage, such as from a lawn mower or ball run-in, while fading usually occurs due to repeated contact with sunlight and other elements found in nature.
If you have sliding glass patio doors that aren't easy to close and open it could be an indication that the tracks and rollers do not work properly. This issue could be caused by accumulated dirt or rust in the wheels or track or a lack or lubrication. This issue can be solved by cleaning the tracks, rollers and removing obstructions.
The locking mechanism could also be defective which makes it difficult to open or close your sliding patio doors. It could be due to misalignment or wear and tear, or an amalgamation of both. To fix this, simply adjust the locking mechanism by turning the hidden adjustment screws located at the bottom.
Air leaks or drafts around your sliding patio doors are a common issue that can significantly decrease their energy efficiency. These issues are typically caused by weather stripping that has worn out or poor door alignment. This can be fixed easily by replacing the weather stripping and realigning your doors.
Loose Handle
It can be quite frustrating when the handle of a sliding door becomes loose. It becomes difficult to open. The reason for this is a misaligned lock mechanism. It can be fixed by loosing and tightening the screws holding it in the correct position.
A loose handle may result from the handle becoming detached from the spindle that connects it to the inside or handles outside. This usually happens as a result of a combination of factors, including over use, wear and tear, or simply aging. If the issue isn't dealt with quickly, the handle can be loosened and fall off.
To resolve this issue it is necessary to locate the screws that connect the interior and exterior handles. The screws are typically hidden behind plastic tabs which can be removed using a flathead (or a Phillips head screwdriver in some cases) screwdriver. Keep these screws in a safe place to ensure they don't get lost.
Once the handles that were previously used have been removed and the old handles are gone, the next step is to remove the loose spindle. This can be accomplished by tapping the spindle with a mallet or hammer until it falls free from its position inside the door. The new handle is fitted by placing the spindle inside the handle hole inside and the other end through the hole in the handle on the outside. Once the handle is installed, tighten it by screwing back the screws. Then, test to ensure the lock and unlock mechanism works correctly.
Weatherstripping that isn't working properly
Weatherstripping that is cracked or worn can allow water and air to be able to seep into your patio door, causing damage to your home's comfort and energy efficiency. In addition to allowing moisture, it can also cause drafts and increase your heating or cooling costs. It's easy to replace faulty weatherstripping with no professional help. First, sliding patio door repair must remove the old stripping by either loosing its staples with the help of a screwdriver or by pinning it with a putty knife and then taking it away from the door. Then, you can clean the area, and then apply a layer of weatherstripping which is backed with a foam seal. This will prevent leaks and enhance comfort.
If your sliding patio doors aren't working as they should, it's important to address the issue immediately to prevent further damage and keep them in good condition for the long term. Depending on how serious the issue is and the severity of the issue, a DIY solution or a professional repair/replacement might be the best option.
The most common issues with sliding patio doors are dirty rollers due to debris in the tracks, wheels that are not aligned and a loose handle. These issues can be resolved by regular cleaning and maintenance including applying lubrication and adjusting the track and tightening the hardware. However, if these measures don't work, it's best to seek advice from a professional to ensure that your patio door is functioning just as it should. Check the warranty information before you decide to replace or repair your patio door. This can save you money on repairs or replacements in the near future.