Sliding Patio Doors Repairs

Your sliding glass patio doors bring natural light and improve your home's energy efficiency. However, as time passes, they may begin to show signs of wear and tear that will require some attention.

Luckily, most of the problems with sliding patio doors are simple to fix. Find out more about how to keep your patio doors looking and working like new:.

Dirty or Damaged Tracks

The tracks of your sliding patio door may be filthy or clogged. Over time, the dust and grime from daily use accumulates on the track and can cause the door to become jammed or even collapse completely.

This buildup can be minimized by incorporating regular light cleaning of sliding doors and tracks during your regular chores. Start by cleaning large debris off the tracks. Then, use warm water and non-abrasive cleaning products like dish soap to wipe them down. Vinegar can be added to your cleaning solution to get rid of stubborn grease and dirt stains.

If you notice that your sliding door doesn't move smoothly after completing these steps, it may be an indication of more serious damage that requires a professional repair or replacement. But, there are simple fixes that you can try before calling in the professionals to avoid costly repairs or replacements.

It is important to put a doormat on the bottom of your sliding doors to help trap dirt before it has a chance to get to the tracks. You should also regularly cut back any bushes or plants close to your sliding doors in order to minimize the amount of debris that gets trapped in the tracks. Also, make sure you close the door correctly so that it doesn't slam into the tracks and cause damage to the rollers and wheels. By keeping your doors clean and lubricated you can extend their lifespan considerably.

Rollers that are not aligned

Sometimes the sliding patio door becomes out of alignment or becomes stuck. This usually happens due to dirt or other obstructions that can be easily removed. However, it can be due to a bent track or roller. In this case, you may be able to straighten the roller by extracting them using their adjustment screws and then cleaning them using ruby alcohol. These parts can be fragile.

If your doors are still stuck, you can apply lubrication to the rollers. This will reduce friction and allow them to move more easily. Make use of a silicone-based product since petroleum-based lubricants tend to attract dirt more quickly. It is crucial to clean the tracks and rollers before lubricating.

After cleaning the rollers you can reinstall using their adjustment screws. It is recommended to apply the same lubricant that you used when cleaning them. Be sure to push the rollers completely in their channels when reinstalling them. You can test your door now and see if it slides smoothly.

If the issue persists, it may be necessary to take the door off and inspect the tracks and rollers. If the tracks or wheels are badly bent, you may need to replace them. It is recommended to hire an expert to install the rollers or tracks in this situation.

Warped Glass

Sliding glass doors are great to bring in the outdoors and natural sunlight into a room, but they can also be vulnerable to damage that requires repair or replacement. Warping, cracking and fading are a few of the most common problems. Warping occurs when the components which make up your sliding glass patio door start to degrade as a result of exposure to heat, sun and other environmental elements. Cracking is often caused by impact damage such as the impact of a lawnmowers or ball hitting into the door. Fading is usually because of repeated exposure to sunlight and other elements.

If you have sliding glass patio doors that are difficult to close and open it could be a sign that the rollers and tracks are not functioning properly. This problem may be caused by accumulated dirt or rust on the track or wheels or due to a lack of or lubrication. Cleaning the tracks and rollers clearing obstructions and applying silicone spray may help solve this issue.

The locking mechanism could be faulty, making it difficult to open or close your sliding patio screen door repair near me doors. This could be due to the alignment of the track or wear and tear, however, a simple fix is to adjust the locking mechanisms by using the adjustment screws located in the bottom of the track.

Drafts or air leaks around your sliding patio doors are a frequent problem that can drastically decrease their energy efficiency. They are usually caused by damaged weather stripping and poor door alignment and can be easily corrected by replacing the old weather stripping and aligning the doors.

Loose Handle

When a sliding door's handle becomes loose, it could be quite frustrating and make it difficult for people to open the door. This problem is usually caused by an incorrectly aligned locking mechanism which can be fixed by loosening the screws that secure it and tightening them until they are snug against the door jamb.

A loose handle can also be caused by the handle separating from the spindle which connects it to the interior or exterior handles. This usually happens as a result of a mix of factors, including over use wear and tear or simply the general aging. If the problem isn't resolved promptly, the handle could become loose and fall off.

The most effective way to address this issue is by first locating the screws that attach the handles' exterior and interior. The screws are typically hidden behind plastic tabs that can be removed using a flathead (or a Phillips head screwdriver in certain cases) screwdriver. It's a good idea to keep these screws in a safe place to ensure that you don't lose them.

Once the handles that were previously used have been removed, the next step is to remove the spindle that has become loose. This can be done by tapping the spindle using a mallet or hammer until it is free of its position inside the door. Then, the new handle can be fitted by simply putting the spindle through the hole in the handle inside and placing the other end of the spindle through the hole in the exterior handle. Once the handle is in place it can be tightened by screwing the screws back into place and then ensuring that the lock and unlock mechanisms work properly.

Poor weatherstripping

Weatherstripping that's cracked or worn can allow water and air to seep into your patio door, causing damage to your home's comfort and energy efficiency. In addition to letting in moisture, it could also cause drafts and increase your cooling or heating costs. Fortunately, replacing faulty weatherstripping is an easy repair that doesn't require professional help. First, you need to take off the old stripping by loosing its staples using the help of a screwdriver or by pinning it with a putty knife and then taking it off the door. Then, you can clean the area and apply a new layer of weatherstripping, which is secured by a foam seal that helps prevent leaks and enhance comfort.

If your sliding patio door isn't working as it should, you need to fix the problem immediately to prevent further damage and to keep them functional for many years to be. Depending on the degree of the issue, DIY or professional repair/replacement may be the best solution.

Most problems with sliding patio doors are caused by dirty rollers, faulty tracks, and an untidy handle. These issues can usually be resolved by regular maintenance and cleaning, such as lubricating and adjusting the track, and tightening the hardware. If these solutions don't work it is recommended that you seek out professional help to make sure that your patio is functioning just as it should. Check the warranty information before you decide to repair or replace your patio door. This will save you money on repairs or replacements in the future.