When you install a sliding screen door you may find that the door is wobbly, does not properly slide, or is even getting stuck. This usually happens because the slider is not affixed at the proper height. Many people that have a sliding screen door installed don't realize that they can be adjusted. Recognizing when your slide door needs adjustment and being able to make those changes correctly is important to the longevity of the sliding screen door as well as its proper movement. Thankfully, adjusting a slider isn't that hard and this article will show you how to do just that. Step 1 - Diagnose the Problem Because there can potentially be any number of other problems associated with poor sliding motion, it can be difficult to immediately determine if adjusting the slider's installation position is actually the best solution. Slide the sliding screen door open and closed. While you do this examine the wheels and the track carefully. If there are spaces or breaks in the rolling then you will have to adjust the sliding screen door height.
A dirty track can cause some of the problems associated with poor movement and an improper height. Clean the track (both top and bottom) with a terrycloth towel and then squirt some of the lubrication grease on the track and on the wheels. Try opening and closing the door again to look for the same issues as before. If they persist then you will need to adjust the sliding screen door. Step 2 - Find the Adjusting Screws In order to change the height of the screen door you need to loosen and tighten screws. The trick is finding the adjusting screws. On most models you'll be able to find the adjusting screws on the wheel assembly. If the screws are easily seen then you can move on to the next step. There is typically one screw on each side of the wheel assembly. If you have a top wheel assembly you do not have to worry about adjusting those. Some wheel assemblies have some sort of cover which is easily removed by prying it away from the sliding screen door frame. Step 3 - Adjusting the Sliding Screen Door
Adjusting the height of a sliding screen door is often a trial and error process. Once you have found or gained access to the adjustable screws on the wheel assembly you can then begin the process of adjusting the sliding screen door's height. Locate the first screw on the sliding screen door wheel assembly. Use the screwdriver to adjust this first screw. Turning the screw clockwise will cause the sliding screen door to become higher as the wheels lower. Turning the screw counterclockwise raises the wheels on the sliding screen door. The sliding screen door lowers which makes it possible for you to remove the sliding screen door. Each sliding screen door typically works on 2 wheels with each having their own adjustable screw. Once the one side is adjusted you can adjust the wheel on the other side.Screens on sliding glass doors keep the bugs out while letting fresh air in. Sliding screen doors are handy additions to your sliding glass doors leading out to your back yard or patio. The screens allow you to enjoy the fresh air and communicate with family outside while you stay inside and bug-free.
The screen doors are not as structurally sound as the glass doors, however, and they often begin to stick over time. There are ways you can correct the sticking without needing to replace the door. Clean around the wheels and track by vacuuming out dirt and debris. Because the tracks are outside the sliding glass doors, there's no way to protect them from getting clogged with dirt periodically. Use a wire brush to scrub away stuck-on grime if necessary. Remove the door and check it for bowing. The metal frame around the screen door is easy to bend and warp; just opening or closing the door with too much force can warp the frame. Locate the spring assembly, which is often on the top track. Push the door up against the spring assembly and pull the other end toward you until the wheels clear the track, then pull the door completely out. Lay it on a flat surface to see if part of the door bows up. Hold the door upright with one hand on each side and twist it toward the bowing. Lay it flat again to make sure the bowing is corrected.
Reinstall the door by pressing it against the spring assembly and dropping the wheels back into place on the track. Turn the screen roller adjustment screws to raise or lower the door inside the track. The adjustment screws are on the wheel assemblies at the top or bottom of the door; the screw is beside the wheels, but is not the screw holding the wheels onto the door. Turn the screw clockwise with a screwdriver to raise the door or counterclockwise to lower it. Start with a half-turn, then test the door to see if it opens smoothly. If not, add another half-turn and continue until the door operates correctly. Things You Will Need Vacuum Wire brush Screwdriver Tip References Pella: Pella Owner's ManualMother Earth News: The DIY Guide to Screen and Storm Doors Photo Credits David De Lossy/Photodisc/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionDoors & Windows > Bob Vila Radio: This Winter, Remove Your Screen Door to Enjoy More Light Bob Vila Radio: This Winter, Remove Your Screen Door to Enjoy More LightScreens are a must in warm weather.
But as it gets darker earlier in the evening, you may choose to remove your sliding screen door as a way of maximizing natural light. Maybe your cat has been using your sliding screen door for climbing practice. Or maybe, as we approach winter, you’re thinking you simply won’t be using the screen again until spring. Listen to BOB VILA ON REMOVING SLIDING SCREEN DOORS or read the text below: Whatever the reason, you’re planning to remove the sliding screen door. Here’s how it’s done. With some doors, it couldn’t be simpler. Just grasp each end of the door and lift, pulling the bottom towards you until it clears the track. Once you’ve got the bottom out of the frame, you should be free to guide the panel to the basement, garage, shed or wherever storage area you’ve chosen. It’s not always that hassle-free. Some doors have screws sticking up from the bottom of the frame, one at each end. These screws control the tension on the wheels that allow the door to roll in its track.