About Me

10 Things We All Hate About Patio Doors Repairs
Sliding Patio Doors Repairs

Your sliding patio doors can bring in natural light to your home and increase the efficiency of your home's energy usage. In time, they might begin to show signs that need some maintenance.

Luckily, most of the issues with sliding patio doors are fairly 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 might be dirty or clogged. Over time, dirt and grime from daily use can accumulate on the track. This could cause the door jam to become damaged or break completely.

Regularly cleaning sliding doors and tracks in your household chores can help reduce the build-up. Start by sweeping or vacuuming any large debris from the tracks and then wipe them clean using warm water and a non-abrasive cleaner, such as dish soap. Adding a bit of vinegar to your cleaning solution can help in removing stubborn dirt and grease stains.

If you notice that your sliding door doesn't move smoothly after following these steps, it may be an indication of more serious damage and requires a professional repair or replacement. There are a variety of simple fixes that you could try before calling the experts to prevent costly repairs or replacements.

Place a mat under your sliding doors. This will assist in keep dirt out of the tracks. Also, you should cut any bushes or plants near your sliding doors to limit the amount of debris that gets trapped in the tracks. Close the door in a timely manner to ensure that you don't damage the rollers or wheels. By keeping your doors clean and lubricated, you can prolong their lifespan considerably.

Rollers that are not aligned

Occasionally the sliding patio door can become misaligned or gets stuck. Usually, this is due to obstructions such as dirt or other which can be easily removed. Sometimes it's due bent track or a bent roller. In the latter case, you may be able to realign the roller by removing them with their adjustment screws and cleaning them with rubbing alcohol. These parts are often fragile.

If your doors are stuck, you can grease the rollers. This will decrease friction and allow them to move more easily. It is best to make use of a silicone-based lubricant because petroleum-based lubricants can draw dirt more quickly. It is also essential to clean the rollers and tracks prior to lubricating them.

Once you've cleaned the rollers, you can put them back in place them using their adjustment screws. It's recommended to apply the same lubricant that you used for cleaning them. When you reinstall the rollers, be sure to push them completely into their channels. Then, you can test your door to see if it now slides smoothly.

If the problem continues, it could be necessary to take the door off and check the tracks and rollers. If the tracks or wheels are bent in a way they may require you to replace them. It is recommended to hire a professional to install the tracks or rollers in this case.

Warped Glass

Sliding glass doors are ideal for bringing natural sunlight and the outdoors into a room, but they are also susceptible to damage that requires repair or replacement. Warping, cracking and fading are just a few of the most frequent issues. Warping occurs when link web page that make up your sliding glass patio door start to degrade due to heat, sun and other environmental factors. The most common cause of cracking is impact damage, such as from a ball or lawn mower run-in, and fading generally occurs due to repeated contact with sunlight or other elements found in nature.

If your sliding glass patio doors are difficult to close or open it could be a sign that their rollers and tracks aren't working properly. This could be due to accumulated dirt, rust or debris in the track, misaligned wheels or a lack of lubrication. This issue can be solved by cleaning the tracks, rollers and clearing obstructions.

The locking mechanism might be faulty and make it difficult to open and shut your sliding patio doors. It could be due to misalignment or wear and tear or an amalgamation of both. To fix this issue, simply adjust the locking mechanism by turning the adjustable screws at the bottom.

Air leaks or drafts around your sliding patio doors are a typical problem that can drastically decrease their energy efficiency. These issues are typically caused by weather stripping that has worn out or poor alignment of the door. This issue can be easily fixed by replacing the weather stripping and re-aligning your doors.

Loose Handle

If the handle of a sliding door is loose, it can be quite annoying and make it difficult for people to open the door. This problem is usually caused by an incorrectly 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.

A loose handle may be caused by the handle breaking off from the spindle connecting it to the inside or handles on the outside. This is usually the result of a mix of factors, including excessive use, wear and tear, or simply aging. If the problem is not addressed quickly, it could eventually lead to the whole handle becoming loose and potentially falling off entirely.

To fix this problem to fix it, you must first find the screws that connect the interior and exterior handles. These screws are usually hidden behind tabs made of plastic that can be removed with a flathead (or a Phillips head screwdriver, in some instances) screwdriver. Store these screws safely to prevent them from being lost.

After removing the handles, the next step will be to remove the spindle. This can be done by tapping on the end using a mallet or hammer until it falls free from its position inside the door. Then, the new handle can be installed by simply putting the spindle through the hole in the handle inside and placing the other end of the spindle into the hole on the exterior handle. Once the handle is installed and tightened, screw back the screws, and then test to make sure the lock and unlock mechanism is working properly.

Unusual Weatherstripping

A worn or cracked weatherstripping could allow air and water to get through your patio doors, compromising the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. It can let in moisture and create drafts, which will increase your heating and cooling costs. It is good news that replacing damaged weatherstripping is a simple fix that doesn't require any professional help. You can remove the old weatherstripping by either loosing the staples with the help of a screwdriver or by gently prying it with a putty knife and pulling it away from the door. Then, you can clean the area, and then apply a layer of weatherstripping which is secured with foam seal. This will prevent leaks and enhance comfort.

If your sliding patio door is not functioning as it should, you have to fix the issue as soon as possible to avoid further damage and 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, misaligned tracks, or an untidy handle. These issues can usually be resolved through regular cleaning and maintenance including applying lubrication and adjusting the track, and tightening the hardware. If these measures do not work then you should seek professional advice in order to make sure that your patio is working exactly as it should. Check the warranty information before you decide to replace or repair your patio door. This could save you money on repairs or replacements later on.