The 10 Scariest Things About Patio Doors Repairs

Sliding Patio Doors Repairs

Your sliding glass patio doors help bring natural light and improve your home's energy efficiency. In time, they might begin to show signs that suggest some maintenance.

Luckily, the majority of problems with sliding patio doors are easy to fix. Find out how you can keep your sliding patio repair near me doors looking and working like new.

Dirty or damaged Tracks

The tracks of your sliding patio door may be filthy or clogged. Over time, the grit and grime of everyday use accumulates on the track and can cause the door to jam or even fall apart completely.

The buildup can be slowed by including regular light cleanings of tracks and sliding patio door repairs near me doors in your routine chores. Start by cleaning any large debris off the tracks and then wiping them down with warm water and a non-abrasive cleaning product, such as dish soap. A little vinegar added to your cleaning solution may also aid in the removal of stubborn dirt and grease staining.

If your sliding door not working smoothly after you have followed these steps, it could be a sign there is more serious damage. This may require a professional to repair or replace the door. There are a few easy fixes you can do before calling in professionals to avoid expensive repairs or replacements.

Place a mat under your sliding doors. This will help catch dirt before it gets to the tracks. Regularly trim any plants or bushes that are in close proximity to your sliding door to reduce the amount of debris that gets tracked into the tracks. Close the door in a timely manner to ensure that you don't damage the rollers or wheels. By keeping your doors clean and well-lubricated, you will extend their life considerably.

Rollers that are not aligned

Occasionally the sliding patio door can become out of alignment or becomes stuck. It is usually due to dirt or other obstructions that can be easily removed. Sometimes, it's due to bent track or a bent roller. In the latter case, you may be able to re-align the roller by extracting them with the adjustment screws and cleaning them with ruby alcohol. These parts are prone to damage.

If your doors are still stuck, you can apply lubrication to the rollers. This will decrease friction and allow them to slide more easily. It is recommended to apply a silicone-based lubricant as petroleum-based ones can draw dirt more quickly. It is also crucial to clean the rollers and tracks before lubricating them.

After you've cleaned the rollers, you can reinstall them using the screws for adjustment. It is recommended to use the same lubricant you used to clean them. When you reinstall the rollers, ensure that you push them all the way into their channels. Then, you can check your door to see if it now slides effortlessly.

If the problem continues, it may be necessary to take the door off and examine the rollers and tracks. If the tracks or wheels are bent in a way they may require you to replace them. It's best to hire an expert to install the rollers or tracks in this case.

Warped Glass

Sliding glass doors are great for bringing in natural light and the outdoors into a room, but they can also be susceptible to damage that requires repair or replacement. Cracking, warping, and fading are some of the most frequently encountered issues. Warping occurs when the components that comprise your sliding glass patio door begin to degrade as a result of exposure to heat, sun and other environmental elements. Cracks are usually caused by the impact of a lawnmower or ball smacking into the door. Fading is usually because of repeated exposure to sunlight as well as other elements.

If you have sliding glass patio doors that are difficult to open and close it could be an indication that the rollers and tracks are not functioning correctly. This could be due to accumulated dirt, rust or debris in the track, wheels that are not aligned or a lack of lubrication. Regularly cleaning the tracks and rollers clearing obstructions and applying silicone spray can help solve this issue.

The locking mechanism could also be defective and make it difficult to open and close your sliding patio doors. This could be due to an issue with alignment or wear and tear but a simple fix is to adjust the locking mechanisms by using the adjustment screws located on the bottom of the track.

Drafts or air leaks around your sliding patio doors are a typical problem that can drastically decrease their energy efficiency. They are usually caused by worn weather stripping and poor alignment of the doors that is easily fixed by replacing the old weather stripping and re-aligning the doors.

Loose Handle

When a sliding door's handle becomes loose, it can be quite annoying and make it difficult for people to open the door. This issue is usually caused by an incorrectly aligned locking mechanism which can be corrected by loosening the screws that secure it and then tightening them until they fit against the door jamb.

A loose handle may result from the handle becoming detached from the spindle that connects it to the interior or handles outside. This is usually the result of a number of factors, including frequent use, wear-and-tear or just aging. If the issue isn't dealt with quickly, the handle can be loosened and fall off.

To solve this issue to fix it, you must first locate the screws that connect the handles' exterior and interior. They are typically hidden by tabs made of plastic that can be removed using a flathead screwdriver (or in the case of some handle styles, a Phillips-head screwdriver). It's a good idea keep these screws safe to ensure that you don't lose them.

Once the old handles have been removed the next step is to remove the spindle that has become loose. This can be done by pounding the ends of the spindle with a hammer until it is freed from its position within the door. The new handle is then fitted by placing the spindle into the hole for the handle inside and the other end through the hole on the outside of the handle. Once the handle is in place, it can be tightened by screwing the screws back in and then examining to confirm that the lock and unlock mechanisms work correctly.

Unusual Weatherstripping

A cracked or worn weatherstripping may let water and air get through your patio doors, which can compromise the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. It can let in moisture and create drafts, which will increase the cost of cooling and heating. It is easy to replace damaged weatherstripping, even without the assistance of a professional. You can take off the old weatherstripping by loosening the staples using a screwdriver, or gently prying it with the help of a putty blade, and then pulling it away from the door. You can then clean the area, and then apply an additional layer of weatherstripping that is backed with a foam seal. This will prevent leaks and improve the comfort.

If your sliding patio door is not working as it should, you must to fix the problem immediately to prevent further damage and keep them functional for many years to be. Depending on the degree of the issue, DIY or professional repair/replacement could be the best option.

The most common issues that are encountered with sliding patio doors are dirty rollers from debris in the tracks, wheels that are not aligned and a loose handle. These issues are usually solved by regular maintenance and cleaning including lubricating and adjusting the track and tightening the hardware. If these methods do not work then you should seek out professional help to make sure that your patio door repair service is operating exactly as it should. If you decide to replace or repair your patio door, make certain to verify its warranty information to confirm that it is covered by the manufacturer's guarantee. This will save you money in the future for repairs and replacements.