5 Laws Anybody Working In Patio Doors Repairs Should Know
Sliding Patio Doors Repairs
Your sliding patio doors will bring in natural light to your home, and will increase its energy efficiency. As time passes, they could start to show signs that require some attention.
Most sliding patio door problems are relatively easy to repair. Find out how you can keep your sliding patio doors looking and working like new.
Dirty or Damaged Tracks
The tracks of your sliding patio door may be dirty or clogged. Over time, the dirt and grime from daily use can build up on the track. This can cause the door jam or even break completely.
Regularly cleaning sliding doors and their tracks in your chores at home can help minimize this build-up. Begin by cleaning any large debris from the tracks, and then wipe them clean using warm water and a non-abrasive cleaning product like dish soap. Adding a bit of vinegar to your cleaning product can help in removing stubborn dirt and grease stains.
If your sliding door not working smoothly after you have followed these steps, it could indicate that there is a more significant damage. This may require a professional to fix or replace the door. There are a few simple fixes you can make before calling a professional to avoid costly repairs or replacements.
Install a doormat underneath your sliding doors. This will help to keep dirt out of the tracks. Regularly trim any plants or bushes that are near the sliding door to decrease the amount of debris that gets tracked into the tracks. Close the door properly to avoid damaging the rollers and wheels. By keeping your doors clean and lubricated, you can extend their lifespan considerably.
Misaligned Rollers
Sometimes, a sliding patio door becomes out of alignment or becomes stuck. It is usually due to dirt or other obstructions which can be easily removed. Sometimes, it's due to bent track or a bent roller. In this case you can re-align the rollers by taking them off by using the adjustment screws and cleaning with rubbing alcohol. These parts can be fragile.
If your doors are stuck, you can apply lubrication to the rollers. This will lessen friction and allow them to slide more easily. It is best to apply a silicone-based lubricant as petroleum-based ones can attract dirt faster. repairmywindowsanddoors is also essential to clean the tracks and rollers prior to applying lubricant.
After you've cleaned your rollers, you can reinstall them using the screws for adjustment. It's also a good idea to apply the same lubricant that you used for cleaning them. Be sure to push the rollers completely into their channels when you reinstall them. You can now test your door and see if it glides smoothly.
If the problem continues, it may be necessary to remove the door and examine the tracks and rollers. If the rollers or tracks are bent badly or bent, they may have to be replaced. In this case it's best to get a professional for the installation.
Warped Glass
Sliding glass doors are ideal to bring the outdoors into your home and letting in natural light, but they may also be vulnerable to damage that requires repair or replacement. Some of the most frequent issues that can occur are warping, cracking and fade. Warping happens when the materials which make up your sliding glass patio door start to degrade due to exposure to sun, heat and other environmental factors. The most common cause of cracking is impact damage such as the impact of a lawnmowers or ball hitting into the door. Fading usually occurs because of repeated exposure to sunlight as well as other elements.
If you have sliding glass patio doors that are difficult to close and open, this could indicate that the rollers and tracks do not work correctly. This could be due to the accumulation of dirt, rust, or debris in the track, wheels that are not aligned or the lack of lubrication. Cleaning the rollers and tracks, removing obstructions and applying silicone spray can help resolve this problem.
The locking mechanism might also be defective which makes 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 adjustment screws on the bottom.
Air leaks or drafts around your sliding patio doors are a typical issue that can greatly reduce their energy efficiency. These problems are usually caused by weather stripping that has worn out or poor door alignment. This issue can be fixed easily by replacing the weather stripping, and realigning your doors.
Loose Handle
When a sliding door's handle is loose, it can be quite annoying and make it difficult for people to open the door. This problem is usually caused by an improperly aligned locking mechanism, which can be corrected by loosening the screws that secure it and tightening them until they fit against the jamb of the door.
Another reason for a loose handle is that it has separated from the spindle that connects the handles on the exterior and interior. This is usually the result of a mix of factors, such as excessive use or 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.
To resolve this issue it is necessary to identify the screws that join the handles' exterior and interior. They are typically hidden by tabs made of plastic, which can be removed using a flathead screwdriver (or in the case of some handles, a Phillips head screwdriver). Keep these screws in a safe place to prevent them from being lost.
After the handles have been removed and the old handles are gone, the next step is to take off the spindle that is loose. This can be accomplished by tapping the end with a hammer or mallet until it comes loose from its position within the door. Then, the new handle can be put in place by simply putting the spindle through the hole on the interior handle and then inserting the other end of the spindle into the hole in the outside handle. Once the handle is in place it can be tightened by screwing the screws back in and then testing to ensure that the locking and unlock mechanisms function correctly.
Poor weatherstripping
A cracked or worn weatherstripping can allow air and water to be able to seep through your patio doors, compromising the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. In addition to allowing water, it can also cause drafts and increase your cooling or heating 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 from the door. After that, you can clean the area and apply a new layer of weatherstripping, which is backed by a foam seal that helps ensure that there are no leaks and to increase the comfort.
If your sliding patio doors are no longer functioning as they should, it's crucial to fix the issue as soon as possible to prevent further damage and to keep them functional for a long time to come. Depending on the severity of the issue, DIY or professional repair/replacement may be the best choice.
The most common issues with sliding patio doors are filthy rollers caused by debris on the tracks, wheels that are not aligned and a loose handle. In the majority of instances, these issues can be resolved with regular maintenance and cleaning, including fluidizing the track as well as adjusting the rollers and tightening the hardware. If these measures don't work then you should seek professional advice in order to make sure that your patio is operating just as it should. Before you decide to replace or repair your patio door, be sure to verify the warranty information to make sure that it's covered by the manufacturer's warranty. This will save you money in the long run on repairs and replacements.