Sliding Patio Doors Repairs
Your sliding patio doors will let the outdoors in to your home and increase the efficiency of your home's energy usage. However, with time, they can show signs of wear and tear that require some attention.
Fortunately, the majority of issues with sliding patio doors are simple to address. Find out how you can keep your sliding patio doors looking and functioning like new.
Dirty or damaged Tracks
One of the most common reasons for sliding patio doors that don't open is dirty or blocked tracks. Over time, the dirt and grime of daily usage can accumulate on the track. This can cause the jam to break or even break completely.
Regularly cleaning sliding doors and their tracks as part of your household chores can help minimize this accumulation. Begin by cleaning any large debris from the tracks, and then wiping them down with warm water and a non-abrasive cleaner, such as dish soap. Vinegar can be added to your cleaning solution to help get rid of stubborn grease and dirt stains.
If you find that your sliding door still won't move smoothly after completing these steps, it may be a sign of more serious damage and requires a professional repair or replacement. There are patio door lock repairs near me Repair My Windows And Doors can make before calling a professional to avoid costly repairs or replacements.
It's important to place a doormat on the bottom of your sliding doors in order to trap dirt before it has a chance to reach the tracks. Regularly trim any plants and bushes that are near your sliding door to reduce the amount of debris tracked into the tracks. Make sure to close the door properly so it doesn't crash into the tracks and cause damage to the rollers and wheels. You can prolong the life of your doors by keeping them clean and lubricated.
Misaligned Rollers
Sometimes, a patio sliding could be misaligned. This is usually due to dirt or other obstructions that can be easily removed. However, it can also be the result of a bent track or roller. In the latter case, you may be able to realign the roller by taking them out with their adjustment screws and cleaning them with rubbing alcohol. Be careful because these parts are fragile.
If your doors still stick then you could try using lubricants on the rollers to reduce friction and allow them to slide. 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 the adjustment screws. Make use of the same lubricant you used to clean them. When you are reinstalling the rollers ensure that you push them all the way into their channels. You can now test your door and see if it moves smoothly.
If the problem continues it could be necessary to remove your door and inspect the rollers and tracks for any other issues. If the wheels or tracks are bent in a way they may require you to replace them. It's best to hire an expert to install the rollers or tracks in this case.
Warped Glass
Sliding glass doors are great to bring in the outdoors and natural sunlight into a space, but they can also be susceptible to damages that require repair or replacement. Cracking, warping and fading are just a few of the most frequent issues. The materials used to make the sliding glass patio doors begin to degrade when exposed to sunlight, heat and other environmental elements. The most common cause of cracking is the impact of a collision, for example from a ball or lawn mower run-in, and fading generally is caused by repeated contact with sunlight or other elements found in nature.
If your sliding patio doors aren't easy to close or open it could indicate that the tracks and rollers are not functioning correctly. This issue could be caused by accumulated dirt or rust on the track or wheels or due to a lack of or lubrication. This issue can be fixed by regularly cleaning the tracks and rollers and clearing obstructions.
The locking mechanism could also be defective and make it difficult to open or shut your sliding patio doors. This could be caused by misalignment or wear and tear, but the solution is to adjust the locking mechanisms by turning the adjustment screws that are located in the bottom of the track.
Drafts or air leaks around your sliding patio door are a typical problem that can reduce their energy efficiency. They typically originate from damaged weather stripping and an improper alignment of the door, which can be easily corrected by replacing the old weather stripping and aligning the doors.
Loose Handle
When a sliding door's handle is loose, it can be quite frustrating and make it difficult for people to open the door. The reason for this is an improperly aligned lock mechanism. It can be repaired by tightening and loosening the screws holding it in place.
Another reason that is commonly cited for a handle to become loose is that it is detached from the spindle that connects the handles on the exterior and interior. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including frequent use, wear-and-tear or just aging. If the issue isn't treated promptly, it could eventually lead to the entire handle becoming loose and potentially falling off entirely.
The best way to fix this problem is by first finding the screws that connect the interior and exterior handles. They are usually hidden by tabs made of plastic that can be removed using a flathead screwdriver (or in the case of certain handles, a Phillips-head screwdriver). Securely store these screws to ensure they don't get lost.
After removing the handles the next step will be to take off the spindle. This can be done by pounding the end of the spindle using the hammer until it's freed from its position within the door. Then, the new handle can be fitted by simply placing the spindle through the hole on the interior handle, and then putting 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 in and then examining to confirm that the lock and unlock mechanisms work correctly.
Weatherstripping that isn't working properly
Weatherstripping that's cracked or worn can let air and water seep into your patio door, causing damage to your home's comfort and energy efficiency. It can allow moisture in and create drafts that will increase your heating and cooling costs. The good news is that replacing the weatherstripping is a simple fix that doesn't require any professional help. You can remove the old weatherstripping by loosing the staples with the help of a screwdriver or by gently prying it with a putty knife and pulling it from the door. Then, you can wash the area and apply a new layer of weatherstripping that is backed by a foam seal that helps stop leaks and improve comfort.
If your sliding patio door isn't functioning as it should, you have to fix the problem immediately to avoid further damage and to ensure that they are functional for years to be. Depending on how severe the problem is the best option is it's possible to choose a DIY solution or a professional repair/replacement could be the best choice.
The most frequent issues that arise with sliding patio doors include filthy rollers caused by debris on the tracks, wheels that are not aligned and a loose handle. These issues can usually be solved by regular cleaning and maintenance like changing the track's lubricant and adjust and tightening the hardware. If these measures are not working then you should seek advice from a professional to make sure that your patio is working as it should. Before you decide to replace or repair your patio door, be certain to verify its warranty information to make sure that it is covered by the manufacturer's warranty. This could save you money on repairs or replacements later on.