Sliding Patio Door Repair: 11 Things You've Forgotten To Do

Sliding Patio Door Repair and Replacement Sliding patio doors make a fantastic addition to any home. They're simple to operate and offer a wide-open view. Like any other household door they are prone to wear and tear that needs repair or replacement. Keep your sliding patio doors in good in good order by cleaning and lubricating them regularly. Lubricating them using graphite or silicone spray will let them slide smoothly and prolong their lifespan. Roller Replacement If your sliding patio door isn't rolling smoothly, it might require lubrication. If the rollers have become worn or damaged then you'll need to replace them. Replacing your patio door's rollers will let your doors run smoothly and lessen the force required to open or close them. If your patio door was manufactured prior to 2000, you might need to remove the bottom part of the frame to gain access to the rollers. If this is the situation you can use a mallet made of rubber and a block of wood to tap the assembly loose, and then pull it off. Save the roller screws to reinstall your new rollers. Sliding glass doors are crucial security features in many homes and must be secured properly. In addition to making it difficult to open or close your door, damaged or old roller wheels can create gaps that could be exploited by burglars. Replacing your patio door rollers will ensure that your home is safe from unwanted visitors. After removing the bottom and top rails It is a good idea to clean all the areas of the track using an alcohol-soaked cloth. This will remove any dirt and make getting rid of the doors from the tracks much easier. You should be able to see drainage holes in the bottom track, but they often become blocked by dirt. If your track appears to be prone to accumulating lots of dirt, you may want to consider installing a stainless steel u-shaped piece that snaps onto the track and creates an extra channel for water to flow through. These are available from CR Laurence, as well as other stores that specialize in sliding door parts. Make patio door repairs near me to install the bottom panel first before installing the top panel. After the doors are in place, you'll be able to verify that they slide freely and don't require any force to open or close them. If you feel that the doors are rough, you can adjust the rollers to give more clearance. Weather Strip Replacement The weather strip seals on the sliding doors gradually become worn, allowing drafts and moisture to enter. This increases the cost of energy. It's a quick and easy project that can help you save money on heating bills. Weather stripping for sliding doors is available in a wide assortment of materials, each with its own pros and cons. It is important to select the right material that can withstand friction, temperature changes as well as changes in weather and pedestrian traffic, but not interfere in the sliding door's operation. Foam and felt are both inexpensive but are prone to weather, and are visible in the frame. Vinyl is more expensive, however it lasts for a long time. Metals are durable, but may not look appropriate in a modern home. Rubber or plastic may erode with time and require frequent replacement. To install new weather strips, remove the door from the casing. To do this, find the headstop on the top of the door – typically a small piece of plastic or metal that's fixed by screws. Remove the screw caps, and then use a flathead to pry out the headstop from bottom of your door. Take off the weather stripping and any residue left behind by using the help of a scraper or putty knife. Don't try to remove the door from its track by yourself. You'll need to apply a lot of force. Rather, have a helper keep the door in place while you take it off its frame. When the doors are closed then locate the channels that support the weather stripping. Plugs that match your doors' color should be placed in these channels. Pull the weatherstripping up to separate it from the channel. Remove the plugs. There are a variety of weather stripping and the best one for sliding patio doors is Fin Seal. This type of weather stripping features a Mylar fin that is located in the pile (brush material) and is extremely durable, suitable for nearly all climates, and is able to stand up well to foot traffic. The back of the weather stripping is constructed of a strong flexible material that can better resist the rigors of a sliding patio door. Door Alignment Patio doors that slide open are a great feature for any home, but just like everything else, they could benefit from a periodic adjustment to work their best. Over time, these sliding patio doors may be worn out or out of alignment. This can cause issues like bumping against frames, or not locking properly. Regular maintenance and minor adjustments will prevent these problems and save you money and time. The most common reason for sliding door misalignment comes from damage to the tracks or rollers caused by sudden jolts or excessive force. A quick repair with the right tools can solve this issue, ensuring your patio door sliding smoothly for a long time to come. The misalignment could also be caused by changes in temperature and humidity or weatherstripping wear, as well as poor installation. The latter can result in parts moving and loosening over time and causing the door to move, but not close or latch correctly. As time passes, these shifts can cause air drafts and even allow water to get into the house. It is crucial to clean and lubricate your sliding patio door track on a regular basis to avoid these issues. A small amount of spray-lubricant can easily be bought at any hardware store, and applying it often with a small amount of brush can keep the track running smooth. Another reason for misalignment of sliding patio doors is the latch hook not syncing with the strike plate on the jamb. To fix this, open the door and expose the latch mechanism. This will allow you to inspect it and have full access. Find the adjustment screw for this latch hook and gently turn it either way to adjust its length. A properly adjusted latch hook will ensure that the latch strikes and engages with the strike plate with no obstruction or resistance. After you've made all the necessary adjustments, test the door to ensure it is sliding and locks correctly. If there are any remaining issues, you can repeat the procedure until your sliding patio door is fully functioning. You can save a lot of cash by not paying professionals to make costly repairs. Frame Replacement Over time, the screws in sliding door frames can loosen. This causes the frame to move a small amount. By regularly tightening and checking these screws, you will be able to keep your doors from becoming stuck or blocked. A sagging screen is fixable with a bit of clamping. However, a loose hinge may need to be replaced. Replacing a sliding patio door without replacing the frame is possible but requires careful analysis of the condition of the current frame. This is a cheaper option than replacing the entire frame. It also can meet specific requirements like improved insulation. A complete frame replacement involves the complete removal of hinged doors frames, windows and hinges from the wall opening. This allows an entirely new sliding patio be installed, and it will allow more flexibility in terms of style, size and materials. Sliding glass door are designed to provide a beautiful view of your backyard. However, they can show signs of wear as time passes. If your sliding doors are jammed or difficult to open, you might require replacing the track or wheels. However, if the frame is in good shape, replacing just the doors might be enough. Before you begin, make sure your work area is clear of obstructions and you've laid down a drop cloth. Next, lay the sliding door on a flat work surface and remove any grilles or shades from the frame. Then you can use a screwdriver to remove the plugs that cover the screws that adjust the rollers at the bottom of the frame (they're usually covered by caps). Once you've removed these, you can loosen the bottom of the sliding door and take it off the track. When the frame is exposed, you can replace the track and sliding door wheels. If your sliding door track is damaged or old it is recommended to replace it entirely rather than fixing an existing one. You can purchase a kit for an DIY project or let an expert do it for you. In either case, you must follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer for proper installation.