Sliding Patio Doors Repairs

Your sliding patio doors will let sunlight into your home and improve its energy efficiency. However, as time passes, they could show signs of wear and tear that will require some attention.

Luckily, the majority of issues with sliding patio doors are fairly easy to fix. Find out how you can keep your sliding patio door repairs doors looking like new.

Dirty or damaged Tracks

One of the most frequent reasons for sliding patio doors that won't open is clogged or dirty tracks. Over time, dirt and grime from everyday use can accumulate on the track. This can cause the jam to break or break completely.

This buildup can be minimized by including regular light cleanings of tracks and sliding doors in your routine chores. Start by cleaning any large debris from the tracks, and then wipe them clean with warm water and a non-abrasive cleaner like dish soap. Add a little vinegar to your cleaning solution can also aid in the removal of stubborn grease and dirt stains.

If your sliding door not working smoothly after you've completed these steps, it could be a sign there is a more significant damage. This may require a professional to repair or replace the door. There are a few simple fixes you can make before calling a professional to avoid costly repairs or replacements.

Place a mat under your sliding doors. This will assist in catch dirt before it gets to the tracks. Regularly trim any plants or bushes that are near your sliding door to reduce the amount of debris that is tracked into the tracks. Also, make sure you close the door in a way that it doesn't hit the tracks and damage the rollers and wheels. You can prolong the life of your doors by keeping them clean and lubricated.

Rollers that are misaligned

Sometimes, a patio sliding can become misaligned. Usually, this is due to obstructions such as dirt or other that can be easily removed. However, it can also be due to a bent track or roller. In this situation, you can realign 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 are stuck, you can apply lubrication to the rollers. This will decrease friction and allow them to slide more easily. It is recommended to make use of a silicone-based lubricant because petroleum-based lubricants can draw dirt more quickly. It is also essential to clean the tracks and rollers prior to lubricating them.

Once you've cleaned the rollers, you can reinstall them with the adjustment screws. It is also a good idea to use the same lubricant you used when cleaning them. Be sure to push the rollers fully into their channels before reinstalling them. You can now test your door and see if it slides smoothly.

If the problem persists it may be necessary to uninstall your door and examine the rollers and tracks for any more serious issues. If the tracks or rollers are bent badly, they may need to be replaced. It's best to hire an expert to install the tracks or rollers in this scenario.

Warped Glass

Sliding glass doors are convenient for bringing in the outdoors and natural sunlight into rooms, however they can also be vulnerable to damages that require repair or replacement. The most frequent problems that arise are warping, cracking and fade. Warping happens when the materials that comprise your sliding glass patio glass door repair near me door start to degrade due to sun, heat and other environmental factors. The most common cause of cracking is impact damage, such as from a lawn mower or ball run-in, and fading generally happens due to repeated contact with sunlight and other natural elements.

If your sliding glass patio doors are difficult to open or close it could be a sign that the tracks and rollers aren't working properly. This issue could be caused by the accumulation of dirt or rust on the track or wheels or a lack or lubrication. Cleaning the tracks and rollers, removing obstructions and applying silicone spray may help solve this issue.

The locking mechanism might also be defective and make it difficult to open and close your sliding patio doors. It could be caused by misalignment, wear and tear or a combination of both. To fix this, simply adjust the locking mechanism by turning the adjustable screws on the bottom.

Drafts or air leaks that surround your sliding emergency patio door repair door are a typical issue that can decrease their energy efficiency. They usually result from damaged weather stripping or poor alignment of the doors that can be easily corrected by replacing the old weather stripping and re-aligning the doors.

Loose Handle

It can be frustrating when the handle of sliding doors becomes loose. It can be difficult to open. This is typically caused by a misaligned 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.

A loose handle may be caused by the handle breaking off from the spindle that connects it to the interior or exterior handles. This is typically the result of a mix of factors, such as excessive use, wear and tear, or simply the general aging. If the problem is not addressed quickly, it could eventually result in the entire handle becoming loose, and possibly falling off completely.

The most effective way to address this issue is by first finding the screws that join the interior and exterior handles. They are usually hidden by tabs made of plastic, which can be removed with a flathead screwdriver (or in the case of some handle styles, a Phillips-head screwdriver). It is a good idea to store these screws somewhere safe to ensure that you don't lose them.

Once the handles that were previously used have been removed and the old handles are gone, the next step is to take off the spindle that is loose. This can be done by tapping the spindle using a mallet or hammer until it falls free from its place inside the door. Then, the new handle can be installed by simply placing the spindle through the hole in the interior handle, and then 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 testing to ensure that the lock and unlock mechanisms work correctly.

Afflicted Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping that is damaged or cracked may allow water and air to be able to seep into your wood patio door repair door, compromising your home's comfort and energy efficiency. In addition to letting in water, it can also cause drafts and increase your heating or cooling costs. Fortunately, replacing faulty weatherstripping is an easy repair that doesn't require professional assistance. You can take off the old weatherstripping by loosing the staples using the help of a screwdriver or by gently prying it with a putty blade and then pulling it from the door. Then, you can wash the area and apply a new layer of weatherstripping, which is backed by a foam seal to ensure that there are no leaks and to increase comfort.

If your sliding patio repair near me doors are no longer functioning as they should, it's essential to fix the issue as soon as possible to prevent further damage and to keep them functional for years to come. Depending on the nature of the problem, DIY or professional repair/replacement could be the best option.

Most problems with sliding patio doors are caused by dirty rollers, faulty tracks, and an untidy handle. In most cases, these issues can be fixed by regular maintenance and cleaning, such as fluidizing the track as well as adjusting the rollers and tightening hardware. If these measures do not work it is recommended that you seek out professional help to make sure that your patio is operating exactly as it should. Review the warranty information before you decide to repair or replace your patio door. This can save you money on repairs or replacements in the near future.