Your sliding patio doors can bring in natural light to your home, and will increase its energy efficiency. However, with time, they could show signs of wear and tear, which will require some maintenance.
The majority of sliding patio door issues are fairly simple to repair. Learn more about how you can keep your patio doors looking and operating like new:.
Dirty or Damaged Tracks
One of the main causes of sliding patio doors that do not open is dirty or blocked tracks. Over time, dirt and grime of daily usage can accumulate on the track. This can cause the jam to break or break completely.
Regularly cleaning sliding doors and their tracks in your household chores can help minimize this build-up. Start by sweeping or vacuuming large debris off the tracks. Then, use warm water and non-abrasive cleansing products like dish soap to wipe them down. Vinegar can be added to your cleaning solution to help remove stubborn dirt and grease staining.
If your sliding door isn’t able to move smoothly after following these steps, it may be a sign of more serious damage and requires a professional repair or replacement. There are a few easy fixes you can do before calling in professionals to avoid costly repairs or replacements.
It’s important to place a doormat at the bottom of your sliding doors in order to catch dirt before it can reach the tracks. Also, you should cut any bushes or plants near your sliding doors to reduce the amount of debris that gets trapped in the tracks. Make sure to close the door properly so it doesn’t slam into the tracks and damage the rollers and wheels. By keeping your doors clean and lubricated, you can extend their lifespan considerably.
Misaligned Rollers
Sometimes, a sliding patio can become misaligned. This usually happens due to dirt, or other obstructions which can be easily removed. However, it can also be due to bent tracks or rollers. In this instance you can straighten the rollers by taking them off using the adjustment screws, and then cleaning with the rubbing alcohol. These parts are prone to damage.
If your doors remain stuck and stick, you can try applying lubrication to the rollers to decrease friction and allow them to slide. Use a silicone-based product, as petroleum-based lubricants can attract dirt faster. It is also essential to clean the rollers and tracks before applying lubricant.
After you’ve cleaned your rollers, you can put them back in place them using their adjustment screws. Make use of the same lubricant you used to clean them. Be sure to push the rollers fully in their channels when reinstalling them. Then, you can test your door to see whether it slides more smoothly.
If the problem persists it may be necessary to take down your door and inspect the rollers and tracks for any other issues. If the wheels or tracks are badly bent, you may need to replace them. It is recommended to hire an expert to install the rollers or tracks in this case.
Warped Glass
Sliding glass door are great for bringing outside into the room and letting in natural light, but they may also be prone to damage that needs repair or replacement. Some of the most common problems that arise are cracking, warping, and fade. Warping happens when the materials that make up your sliding glass patio door begin to degrade due to heat, sun and other environmental elements. The most common cause of cracking is impacts, such as the impact of a lawnmowers blade or ball that is smashed into the door. Fading is usually because of repeated exposure to sunlight and other elements.
If your sliding glass patio doors are difficult to close or open, it could indicate that their rollers and tracks aren’t functioning properly. This issue could be caused by accumulation of dirt, rust or debris in the track, or misaligned wheels or the lack of lubrication. Regularly cleaning the tracks and rollers, removing obstructions and applying silicone spray can help resolve this problem.
Another reason that sliding patio door repair near me doors might be difficult to open or close is because the locking mechanism is no longer working. It could be due to misalignment, wear and tear or an amalgamation of both. To fix this issue, simply adjust the locking mechanism by turning the hidden adjustment screws at the bottom.
Drafts or air leaks that occur around your sliding patio door repairs patio screen door repair near me doors are a typical issue that can significantly reduce their energy efficiency. They are usually caused by damaged weather stripping or poor door alignment that can be easily corrected by replacing the weather stripping and re-aligning the doors.
Loose Handle
It can be quite frustrating when the handle of sliding doors becomes loose. It becomes difficult to open. This issue is usually caused by an improperly aligned locking mechanism, which can be corrected by loosening the screws that secure it and then tightening them until they’re snug against the jamb of the door.
Another reason that is commonly cited for a loose handle is that it is detached from the spindle that connects the handles on the exterior and interior. This is usually the result of a number of factors, including frequent use, wear-and-tear or just general aging. If the issue isn’t addressed promptly, the handle could be loosened and fall off.
To fix this problem to fix it, you must first identify the screws that join the interior and exterior handles. They are usually hidden by plastic tabs, which can be removed with a flathead screwdriver (or in the case of some handles, a Phillips-head screwdriver). It’s a good idea keep these screws safe so that you don’t loose them.
Once the old handles have been removed, the next step is to take off the spindle that has become loose. This can be done by tapping on the end with a mallet or hammer until it falls free from its position within the door. The new handle is then installed by inserting the spindle inside the interior handle hole and the other end through the exterior handle hole. 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 properly.
Poor weatherstripping
A damaged or cracked weatherstripping could let water and air be able to seep through your patio doors, which can compromise the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. In addition to allowing moisture, it can also create drafts and increase your heating or cooling costs. The good news is that replacing the weatherstripping is an easy repair that doesn’t require professional help. First, you need to take off the old stripping by loosing its staples with the help of a screwdriver or by pinning it with a putty knife and then pulling it off the door. Then, you can wash the area and apply a new layer of weatherstripping. This is backed by a foam seal to ensure that there are no leaks and to increase comfort.
If your sliding patio door is not functioning as it should, you must to fix the problem immediately to avoid further damage and keep them functional for many years to come. Depending on the severity of the problem is and the severity of the issue, it’s possible to choose a DIY solution or a repair/replacement by a professional may be the best option.
Most sliding patio door problems are caused by dirty rollers, misaligned tracks, or an untidy handle. These issues can usually be solved through regular cleaning and maintenance like applying lubrication and adjusting the track and tightening the hardware. If these measures don’t work it is recommended that you seek professional advice in order 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 later on.