5 Repair Patio Door Lessons Learned From The Pros
How to Repair a Sliding Patio Door
Sliding patio doors can become difficult to operate due to a range of problems. Most of these issues are fixable.
The most effective way to repair your sliding patio door is by cleaning it. Use a brush along with some soapy water to wash the tracks. Then, you can apply lubrication to the tracks to increase their performance.
1. Dirty tracks or damaged tracks
One of the main causes of a sticky or squeaky patio door is dirt and debris that has accumulated in the track. Bird droppings, pine straw and salt, sand, winter roads and other nasty things can cause a blockage in the track. This is the reason it's crucial to clean and lubricate your sliding doors on a regular basis.
Start by putting on some rubber gloves and safety goggles to protect your eyes. Then, vacuum the tracks with an air vac or a brush to remove any gunk that has escaped. Mix equal parts of white vinegar in the spray bottle. Spray a small amount of the solution onto your cleaning brushes and scrub the sill and track. Rinse and dry the area with paper towels. This will help prevent scratching and further damage to the track and sill.
When the tracks are clean you can take the toothbrush and go there to scrub the harder areas that are stuck. You can also sand rough spots on the bottom tracks and then apply lubrication to the wheels to ensure smooth operation.
Another reason for a squeaky door is misaligned rollers that can be corrected by altering the height and positioning of the rollers. It's a good idea to replace the weather stripping around the door whenever you do this to ensure a tight fit and improve energy efficiency.
Leaks from the track is also a serious problem that could lead to mold growth and structural damage to your home. If the leak is limited to a specific section of the track, you might be able to fix it yourself by sealing the joint. If the issue is widespread you should contact a professional to fix the patio door.
2. Broken or Torn Screen
If your patio door does not allow for airflow, it will make your home feel uncomfortable and uncomfortable. It can also be a perfect entry point for pests like mosquitoes and flies. It is important to call a professional when you spot the screen is damaged or there is a fog that has formed between the glass panes.
If you have an old screen on your sliding patio door, it's easiest to replace it with a brand new screen. You can buy screen material in rolls that have been pre-measured to fit most doors of standard sizes. You can also purchase a complete screen repair kit that includes the screen, spline, and roller all in one package.
To install the new screen, begin by finding a solid surface that you can work on and then laying your new material on it. Cut the screen to the desired length, so that it overlaps the frame on both sides by approximately 1 inch. Then, using your utility blade remove the old spline as the excess screen.
Now you can lay down the new screen spline starting at the bottom left corner of the frame and work towards the edges. Once the spline is set, use the screen rolling tool to push it into the groove. Cut off any excess spline or screen using a utility blade making sure not to cut the inner frame of the window. Check the spline to see whether there are any distortions or ripples. Adjust the screen if necessary.
3. Leaking Seals
If you see water pooling around the patio door, or getting stuck between the glass panes, it's a sure indication that your seals and frames are deteriorating in their quality. This could lead to mold and decay, and an increase in energy costs due to drafts and air leakage.
Poorly installed flashing and caulking can lead to leaky seals. To prevent this from happening, it's crucial to hire a professional who has expertise installing patio doors and will ensure the frame is properly caulked and flashed.
You'll want to fill in any gaps or cracks with caulking that is designed for your specific kind of weather. For instance, if you live in a humid area such as Ontario you'll need to choose a caulking that is resistant to humidity.
Another reason for leaky seals is when the shims beneath the door frame are not installed correctly. They are typically made of wood and help keep the sheathing in line with the framing. However when they aren't installed correctly, they can create a gap which allows moisture to get into your home.
One method to test your seals is by spraying the frame using the help of a garden nozzle or hose. If sliding patio door repair near me repairmywindowsanddoors see the presence of a mist in these areas, call an expert who will come in and conduct a thorough inspection of the installation. It's possible that a bit of additional caulking is all that's required, or maybe the shims need to be replaced. In any case it's important to address these issues promptly. will prevent costly repairs and damages down the road. It is always best to repair your patio door or frame before it's too late than to wait.
4. Warped Frame
When wood is exposed to outside forces like a fluctuation in humidity, it can absorb and lose moisture, which could cause the frame to become warped. A sagging frame can make it difficult to operate the door, and eventually cause damage or even failure. This is especially the case for doors that divide basements and garages that are damp from living areas.
A damaged frame can be corrected with minor repairs. Begin by looking at the frame to make sure that all bolts and screws are secure and tight. Replace any missing or loose screws. Then, you can replace the hinge screws with larger ones that are 2 or more inches long. This will allow the screw to get into the wall framing rather than the door jamb, and pull the frame back into place.
You can also try adding shims, which are tiny pieces of wood that can be placed behind the hinges to adjust the frame's positioning. Shims will help support the frame and distribute the weight evenly over a larger area. This will prevent the frame from getting more distorted with age.
For more severe frame warps, you may want to consider hiring a professional to fix the issue. A professional can inspect the frame thoroughly to determine the severity and provide a complete solution. They can also install bracing in order to strengthen the frame to stop it from sagging. In most instances this is a much more cost-effective and durable solution than simply buying new patio door components. If the frame is significantly stretched, it might be necessary to replace the entire jamb of the door instead of just the door itself.
5. Cosmetic Damage
Over time, patio door can suffer from many wear and tear. Surface damage can leave your doors looking less than desirable and impact the appearance of your home. The good news is that the majority of cosmetic damage can be repaired with the help of bonding fillers as well as paint. However, if the door has significant cracks or dents, it will be best to replace it instead of trying to repair it.
The weatherstripping on doors may lose its effectiveness with time, just like the seal around windows. This can cause gaps that allow air from outside to infiltrate your home and increase energy bills. A professional door repair specialist can install new weatherstripping to decrease energy loss and increase insulation.
Moisture around the exterior of doors is always a problem, but it's especially dangerous when it comes to your patio doors. This moisture can lead to wood rot, which is costly and difficult to fix. Water leaks should be repaired immediately by a professional.
Over time a patio door could be misaligned as a result of regular use or foundation changes. This could cause the doors to become jammed or difficult to open and close. A technician for door repair can adjust the hinges and tracks to ensure smooth operation. They can also replace worn out hinges and rollers to ensure proper functioning.