Use lightweight machine oil to lubricate the rollers in wet climates. Improper adjustment, dirt and moisture can cause a sliding door to squeak when it’s opened and closed. If the rollers aren’t properly adjusted, the bottom of a door can drag on the track and squeak. In other cases, properly adjusted rollers may operate correctly until dirt builds up on the track or moisture affects the rollers. A do-it-yourself homeowner can use a simple procedure that’s proven reliable by professionals to fix a squeaky sliding door. Slide the door open and closed to determine if the door squeaks at the top or at the bottom. If the noise comes from the top, the rollers are adjusted too high and the top of the door is rubbing in the upper channel or the frame. If the squeak comes from the bottom, the rollers are too low and the bottom of the door is rubbing on the track. Locate the small machined holes for adjustment screws at each roller on the inside or outside face of the door at the bottom. Insert the tip of a screwdriver into one of the holes and turn it slowly until the tip catches in the slot of the adjustment screw.
Lift up on that end of the door and turn the screwdriver counterclockwise to lower a door that's too high, or clockwise to raise a door that's rubbing on the track. Typically, two full turns are enough to correct an improperly adjusted roller. Repeat this to adjust the roller at the opposite end of the door. Remove all dirt and debris from the bottom track with a utility brush and shop vacuum. Use the handle of the brush or a small wooden stick to loosen muddy deposits, if necessary. Loosen dirt that's built up at the end of the track with the screwdriver. Move the door, as necessary, and vacuum the track from end to end. Apply a uniform coat of spray lubricant on the bottom track and in the top channel from end to end. Slide the door open and closed and listen for squeaks. Proceed to the next section if the squeaking persists. Slide the door to the middle of the opening. Grip the lower edge of the door at one end and lift up. Insert the tip of a screwdriver into the gap between the track and the lower portion of the roller and pry upward to compress the roller.
Pull that end of the door outward and off the track. Repeat this at the opposite end of the door and take the door out of the frame. Stabilize the door upright on one of its long edges. Rotate each of the rollers at the bottom of the door by hand. If a roller sticks or is stuck, spray it with lubricant and attempt to free it by rotating the roller several times. Proceed to the next step if a roller cannot be repaired with lubricant. Loosen and remove the screws that attach a roller at the bottom of a glass or wooden sliding door and remove the roller. For an aluminum screen door, pry out the roller assembly from the channel at the bottom of the door with a screwdriver. Obtain a new roller or roller assembly of the proper type for your door. Refer to the instructions and install it in the door. Clean and lubricate the track before installing the door in the frame. Follow the procedure in the previous section to adjust the rollers. Things You Will Need Screwdriver Utility brush Shop vacuum Spray lubricant Tip References This Old House: Sliding Door Tune-upPopular Mechanics: Repairing a Screen Door Photo Credits Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images Suggest a Correction
Edit ArticleHow to Clean and Lubricate a Sliding Glass Door Two Methods:The Thorough WayThe Quick WayCommunity Q&A Sliding glass doors can become difficult to open because the track accumulates dirt and debris. The steps below tell you how to keep your sliding glass door sliding smoothly. Use this method at least once a year to thoroughly clean and lubricate the track to your sliding door. If you have a screen door, remove it first—–it will easily lift up and out of the track. Remove drapes, blinds or any other window furnishings from your door. Grasp each end of the door. Push the door up so that the wheels on the bottom of the door clear the track. You may have to use a screwdriver to loosen the level screws for the bottom wheels in order to get them to clear the bottom threshold. Keep pushing the door upward. Place the door on two sawhorses so that you can clean the track wheels. Use a wire brush to loosen the hair and dirt from the wheels.
Vacuum the debris from the wheels and the entire bottom and top of the door. Apply a non-stick silicone lubricant to the wheels. Test the rollers to be sure that they are clear of all debris and are moving freely. Vacuum the door track. Wipe out the door track with a wet rag. Apply some of the lubricant to the tracks in the door opening before you replace the door. Lift the door from the sawhorses. Push the door up so that the bottom rollers clear the bottom threshold. Let the rollers drop into the bottom track. Slide the door back and forth until it is sliding smoothly. If the track to your sliding door isn’t too gummed up with dirt and grime, you can get your door sliding smoothly again in about 15 minutes. Thoroughly vacuum the track to your door while it is still closed. Slide the door all the way open so that you can access the other side of the track. Scrape out the dirt and debris from the track using a flat blade screwdriver.
Vacuum the loosened dirt using an attachment with a narrow tip. Use an old rag to apply generous amounts of a non-stick lubricant to both tracks of the sliding door. Slide the door open and shut several times so that the entire track gets lubricated. Show more unanswered questions It also helps to lubricate the tracks to your sliding doors every few months. Be sure to clean the tracks on both sides of the door. Clean the track to your sliding door every few months with a wire brush. The brush will loosen stubborn dirt deposits, which you can then vacuum. Try to avoid oily lubricants because they attract dirt and dust; you’ll have to clean the rollers and tracks of your doors much more often if you use any kind of grease or oil instead of a non-stick lubricant. It’s best to have a helper if you are going to remove your door from its tracks. If you should have to loosen screws, your helper can spot you and make sure the door doesn’t fall before you can remove it.