sproutkiss70

Sliding Patio Doors Repairs Your sliding patio doors will let in natural light to your home and improve its energy efficiency. As time passes, they could begin to show signs that need some maintenance. Luckily, most of the issues with sliding patio doors are fairly simple to fix. Find out more about how to keep your patio doors looking and functioning like new:. Tracks that are dirty or damaged One of the most common causes of sliding patio doors that do not open is clogged or dirty tracks. Over time, the dust and grime of daily usage accumulates on the tracks and can cause the door to jam or even collapse completely. Including regular light cleaning of sliding doors and their tracks in your household chores can help to reduce the amount of accumulation. Begin by brushing or vacuuming any big debris from the tracks and then wiping them down with warm water and a non-abrasive cleaner, such as dish soap. Vinegar can be added to your cleaning solution to remove stubborn dirt and grease staining. If your sliding door is still not moving smoothly even after you've completed these steps, it could be a sign that there is more damage. This could require a professional to repair or replace the door. There are a few simple fixes you can make before calling a professional to avoid costly repairs or replacements. It is important to put a doormat near the bottom of your sliding doors to help catch dirt before it can get to the tracks. Also, you should cut back any bushes or plants near your sliding doors to minimize the amount of debris trapped in the tracks. Close the door correctly to avoid damaging the rollers and wheels. You can prolong the life of your doors by keeping them clean and lubricated. Rollers that are not aligned Sometimes it happens that a sliding patio door becomes misaligned or gets stuck. Usually, this is due to obstructions or dirt which can be easily removed. But sometimes it can also be the result of bent tracks or rollers. In this instance you can straighten the rollers by removing them with the adjustment screws, and then cleaning with rubbing alcohol. These parts are often fragile. If your doors are still stuck and stick, you can try using lubricants on the rollers to reduce friction and allow them to slide. Choose Repair My Windows And Doors -based lubricant, since petroleum-based lubricants tend to attract dirt faster. It is also important to clean the rollers and tracks prior to lubricating them. Once you've cleaned the rollers, you can reinstall them using the screws for adjustment. It's recommended to use the same lubricant you used to clean them. Be sure to push the rollers fully into their channels before reinstalling them. Then, you can test your door to see if it now slides effortlessly. If the problem persists, it might be necessary to take down your door and check the tracks and rollers for any other issues. If the tracks or rollers are bent badly or bent, they may have to be replaced. It is recommended to hire a professional to install the tracks or rollers in this situation. Warped Glass Sliding glass doors are convenient for bringing in natural light and the outdoors into a space, but they can also be susceptible to damage that requires repair or replacement. Some of the most frequent problems that arise are cracking, warping, and fade. Warping occurs when the materials which make up your sliding glass patio door start to degrade due to heat, sun and other environmental elements. The most common cause of cracking is injuries caused by impact, like from a lawn mower or ball run-in, whereas fading typically occurs due to repeated contact with sunlight or other natural elements. If your sliding patio doors aren't easy to open or close it could indicate that the tracks and rollers aren't functioning properly. This problem may be caused by accumulated dirt or rust in the wheels or track, or by a lack or lubrication. Regularly cleaning the tracks and rollers by removing obstructions, and then applying silicone spray can help resolve this problem. Another reason your sliding patio doors are difficult to open or close is that the locking mechanism is no longer working. This could be caused by misalignment or wear and tear however, a simple fix is to adjust the locking mechanism by using the adjustment screws located in the bottom of the track. Drafts or air leaks around your sliding patio doors are a frequent problem that can drastically reduce their energy efficiency. These problems are usually caused by weather stripping that is worn out or poor alignment of the door. This can be fixed easily by replacing the weather stripping, and realigning your doors. Loose Handle If the handle of a sliding doors is loose, it can be quite annoying and make it difficult for people to open the door. This is due to a misaligned lock mechanism. It can be fixed by loosening and tightening the screws holding it in the correct position. Another reason for a loose handle is that it is detached from the spindle that connects it with the interior and exterior handles. This can be caused by a variety of reasons, including excessive use, wear and tear, or simply general ageing. If the issue isn't treated promptly, it could eventually lead to the entire handle becoming loose and possibly falling off completely. To solve this issue to fix it, you must first identify the screws that join the interior and exterior handles. These screws are usually hidden behind plastic tabs which can be removed using a flathead (or a Phillips head screwdriver in certain instances) screwdriver. Keep these screws in a safe place to avoid losing them. After the handles have been removed, the next step is to remove the spindle that is loose. This can be done by tapping the end using a mallet or hammer until it falls free from its place inside the door. Then, the new handle can be installed by simply putting the spindle through the hole on the interior handle, and then inserting the other end of the spindle through the hole on the exterior handle. Once the handle is in place, it can be tightened by screwing the screws back in and then ensuring that the lock and unlock mechanisms work properly. Weatherstripping that isn't working properly Weatherstripping that is damaged or cracked may allow water and air to be able to seep into your patio door, compromising your home's comfort and energy efficiency. It could let in moisture and create drafts, which can increase your heating and cooling costs. It is good news that replacing damaged weatherstripping is an easy repair that doesn't require professional assistance. The first step is to remove the old stripping by loosening its staples using the help of a screwdriver or by pinning it gently with a putty knife, and then pulling it off the door. You can then clean the area, and apply a layer of weatherstripping that is backed with a foam seal. This will stop leaks and enhance comfort. If your sliding patio door is not functioning as it should, you need to fix the issue as soon as possible to avoid further damage and to keep them functional for many years to come. Depending on how severe the problem is, it's possible to choose a DIY solution or a professional repair/replacement could be the best choice. The majority of sliding patio door issues are caused by dirty rollers, misaligned tracks, or a loose handle. In the majority of instances, these issues can be fixed by regular maintenance and cleaning, including lubricating the track, adjusting the rollers and tightening the hardware. If these methods don't work, you should seek out professional help to make sure that your patio is operating exactly as it should. Check the warranty information before you decide to replace or repair your patio door. This could save you money on repairs or replacements in the near future.