The Most Common Mistakes People Make With Patio Doors Repairs
Sliding Patio Doors Repairs
Your sliding patio doors will bring the outdoors in to your home and improve the efficiency of your home's energy usage. However, over time they may begin to show signs of wear and tear, which will require a bit of maintenance.
The majority of problems with sliding patio doors are fairly simple to repair. Learn more about how to keep your patio doors looking and working like new:.
Dirty or Damaged Tracks
One of the main causes of sliding patio doors that do not open is clogged or dirty tracks. Over time, the dust and grime of everyday use build up on the track and can cause the door to become jammed or even fall apart completely.
A regular cleaning of sliding doors and tracks as part of your household chores can help to reduce the amount of accumulation. Begin by cleaning any large debris from the tracks, and then wiping them down with warm water and a non-abrasive cleaner like dish soap. Vinegar can be added to your cleaning solution to help get rid of stubborn grease and dirt staining.
If your sliding door is not working smoothly after you have followed these steps, this could be a sign there is more serious damage. This may require a professional to repair patio door or replace the door. However, there are many simple fixes you can try before calling in the professionals to prevent costly repairs or replacements.
Place a doormat under your sliding doors. This will help to catch dirt before it gets to the tracks. Also, you should trim any plants or bushes near your sliding doors to limit the amount of debris tracked into the tracks. Make sure to close the door in a way that it doesn't crash into the tracks and cause damage to the wheels and rollers. By keeping your doors clean and lubricated, you can prolong their lifespan significantly.
Misaligned Rollers
Sometimes it happens that a sliding patio door becomes misaligned or gets stuck. It is usually due to obstructions or dirt that can be easily fixed. Sometimes, it's due to a bent roller or track. In this case you might be able to straighten the roller by extracting them using the adjustment screws and cleaning them using rubbing alcohol. These parts are often fragile.
If your doors remain stuck then you could try using lubricants on the rollers to reduce friction and make it easier for them to slide. Make use of a silicone-based product because petroleum-based lubricants may attract dirt more quickly. It is also crucial to clean the rollers and tracks prior to applying lubricant.
After cleaning the rollers you can reinstall using the adjustment screws. It's also a good idea to use the same lubricant you used for cleaning them. Be sure to push the rollers completely into their channels before reinstalling them. You can test the door and see if it moves smoothly.
If the problem persists it could be necessary to remove the door and check the rollers and tracks. If the tracks or wheels are bent in a way it could be necessary to replace them. In such a case it's best to get an expert for the installation.
Warped Glass
sliding patio doors repairs glass doors are great for bringing the outdoors and natural sunlight into a space, but they can also be vulnerable to damages that require repair or replacement. Warping, cracking, and fading are some of the most common problems. The materials used to make the sliding glass patio doors start to degrade when exposed to sunlight, heat and other environmental elements. Cracking often results from the impact of a collision, for example from a ball or lawn mower run-in, while fading usually occurs due to repeated contact with sunlight and other elements of nature.
If your sliding glass patio doors are difficult to close or open it could be an indication that the tracks and rollers are not functioning correctly. This could be due to accumulation of dirt, rust or debris in the track, wheels that are not aligned or the lack of lubrication. This issue can be fixed by regularly cleaning the tracks, rollers and clearing obstructions.
Another reason your sliding patio doors might be difficult to open or close is that the locking mechanism is no longer working. This could be caused by the alignment of the track or wear and tear but a simple fix is to adjust the locking mechanism by turning the adjustment screws hidden in the bottom of the track.
Drafts or air leaks around your sliding patio doors are a frequent issue that can greatly reduce their energy efficiency. These problems are usually caused by weather stripping that has worn out or poor alignment of the door. This can be easily fixed by replacing the weather stripping, and realigning your doors.
Loose Handle
When a sliding door's handle is loose, it can be quite frustrating and cause 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 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 has separated from the spindle that connects the interior and exterior handles. This is often due to a variety of factors including excessive use, wear and tear or just general aging. If the problem is not treated promptly, it could eventually result in the entire handle becoming loose, and possibly falling off completely.
To resolve this issue it is necessary to identify the screws that join the interior and exterior handles. The screws are typically hidden behind tabs made of plastic that can be removed with a flathead (or a Phillips head screwdriver, in some cases) screwdriver. It is a good idea to keep these screws safe so that you don't loose them.
Once the handles that were previously used have been removed, the next step is to take off the spindle that is loose. This can be accomplished by tapping on the end with a mallet or hammer until it falls free from its position within the door. The new handle can be put in place by simply placing the spindle into the hole on the handle inside and placing the other end of the spindle into the hole in the outside handle. Once the handle is installed, tighten it by screwing back the screws, and then test to make sure the lock and unlock mechanism is working correctly.
Faulty weatherstripping
A cracked or worn weatherstripping may let water and air seep through your patio doors, compromising the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. In addition to letting in water, it can also create drafts and increase your cooling or heating costs. It's easy to replace faulty weatherstripping, even without the assistance of a professional. First, you need to take off the old stripping by either loosing its staples with a screwdriver or prying it gently using 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 to ensure that there are no leaks and to increase comfort.
If your sliding patio door isn't functioning as it should, you need to address the issue immediately to prevent further damage and keep them functioning for years to come. Depending on how serious the problem is the best option is an DIY solution or a professional repair/replacement might be the best option.
The majority of sliding patio door issues are caused by dirty rollers, misaligned tracks, and an untidy handle. In most cases these issues can be resolved with regular maintenance and cleaning, including fluidizing the track, adjusting the rollers and tightening the hardware. If these solutions are not working then you should seek out professional help to ensure that your patio door frame repair is operating just as it should. Review the warranty information before you decide to repair patio doors or replace your patio door. This will save you money in the future for who repairs sliding patio doors and replacements.