Patio Doors Repairs: It's Not As Expensive As You Think

Sliding Patio Doors Repairs

Your sliding patio door repairs doors will let the outdoors in to your home, and will increase its energy efficiency. However, with time, they could show signs of wear and tear that require some attention.

Luckily, most of the issues with sliding patio doors are fairly simple to address. Find out how to keep your sliding patio door repairs near me patio doors looking and functioning like new.

Dirty or Damaged Tracks

One of the most frequent causes of sliding patio doors that do not open is dirty or clogged tracks. Over time, the dirt and grime from everyday use can accumulate on the track. This can cause the jam to break or even break completely.

Regularly cleaning sliding doors and their tracks as part of your household chores can help to reduce the amount of accumulation. Start by cleaning any large debris from the tracks, and then wipe them clean with warm water and a non-abrasive cleaning product, such as dish soap. Vinegar can be added to your cleaning solution to remove stubborn grease and dirt staining.

If your sliding door is not working smoothly after you've completed these steps, this could indicate that there is more serious damage. This may need a professional's help to repair or replace the door. But, there are simple fixes that you could try before calling the professionals to avoid costly repairs or replacements.

Install a doormat underneath your sliding doors. This will assist in keep dirt out of the tracks. It is also important to cut any bushes or plants close to your sliding doors in order to reduce the amount of debris that gets tracked into the tracks. Close the door in a timely manner to avoid damaging the rollers and wheels. You can increase the lifespan of your doors by keeping them clean and well-lubricated.

Misaligned Rollers

Sometimes, a sliding patio could be misaligned. This is usually due to dirt or other obstructions that can be easily removed. However, it could also be due to a bent track or roller. In the latter scenario, you may be able to straighten the roller by taking them out with their adjustment screws and cleaning them using rubbing alcohol. These parts can be fragile.

If your doors are stuck, you can grease the rollers. This will lessen friction and allow them to slide more easily. It is best to make use of a silicone-based lubricant as petroleum-based ones can draw dirt more quickly. It is also essential to clean the tracks and rollers prior to lubricating them.

After cleaning the rollers, you can put them back in place using the adjustment screws. Use the same lubricant you used to clean them. When reinstalling the rollers, make sure you push them all the way into their channels. Then, you can check your door to see if it now slides smoothly.

If the issue persists, it may be necessary to remove the door and inspect the rollers and tracks. If the tracks or rollers are badly bent, they may need to be replaced. It is recommended to hire an expert to install the rollers or tracks in this scenario.

Warped Glass

Sliding glass doors are great to bring in the outdoors and natural sunlight into rooms, however they can also be vulnerable to damages that require repair or replacement. The most frequent problems that occur include cracking, warping, and fade. Warping occurs when the materials that comprise your sliding glass patio door start to degrade due to exposure to heat, sun and other environmental elements. The most common cause of cracking is impact damage, such as from a ball or lawn mower run-in, whereas fading typically happens due to repeated contact with sunlight or other elements found in nature.

If your sliding glass patio doors are difficult to open or close, it could be a sign that their rollers and tracks aren't functioning properly. This issue may result from accumulation of dirt, rust or debris in the track, wheels that are not aligned or an absence of lubrication. Cleaning the tracks and rollers by removing obstructions, and then applying silicone spray can help solve this issue.

Another reason your sliding patio door repairs near me doors are difficult to open or close is that the locking mechanism has become faulty. It could be due to misalignment or wear and tear or the combination of both. To fix this, simply adjust the locking mechanism by turning the adjustment screws located at the bottom.

Drafts or air leaks that surround your sliding patio door are a common issue that can affect the efficiency of your home's energy usage. They usually result from worn weather stripping and poor alignment of the doors, which can be easily fixed by replacing the weather stripping and realigning the doors.

Loose Handle

It can be quite frustrating when the handle of sliding doors becomes loose. It can be difficult to open. This problem is usually caused by an incorrectly aligned locking mechanism which can be corrected by loosening the screws that secure it and tightening them until they are snug against the door jamb.

A loose handle may be caused by the handle becoming detached from the spindle which connects it to the inside or exterior handles. This is typically the result of a variety of factors, including over use wear and tear or simply the general aging. If the problem is not treated promptly, it could eventually lead to the whole handle becoming loose and possibly falling off completely.

To fix this problem it is necessary to find the screws that connect the handles' exterior and interior. They are typically hidden behind tabs of plastic that can be removed with a flathead (or a Phillips head screwdriver in certain instances) screwdriver. Securely store these screws to prevent them from being lost.

After removing the old handles then the next step would be to take off the spindle. This can be accomplished by tapping on the end with a hammer or mallet until it is free of its place within the door. Then, the new handle can be fitted by simply putting the spindle through the hole in the interior handle, and then placing the other end of the spindle into the hole in the exterior handle. After the handle is installed and tightened, screw back the screws and then test to ensure the lock and unlock mechanism is working correctly.

Weatherstripping that isn't working properly

Weatherstripping that's damaged or cracked may allow water and air to seep into your patio door, causing damage to your home's comfort and energy efficiency. In addition to letting in moisture, it could create drafts and also increase your cooling or heating costs. It is easy to replace damaged weatherstripping without professional assistance. You can remove the old weatherstripping by either loosing the staples using a screwdriver, or gently squeezing it with a putty knife and pulling it away from the door. After that, you can clean the area and apply a new layer of weatherstripping, which is backed by a foam seal to prevent leaks and enhance the comfort.

If your sliding patio door is not functioning as it should, you must to fix the problem immediately to prevent further damage and to ensure that they are functional for years to come. Depending on the nature of the problem, DIY or professional repair/replacement may be the best choice.

Most sliding patio door problems are caused by dirty rollers, faulty tracks, and an untidy handle. In the majority of instances, these issues can be addressed by regular maintenance and cleaning, which includes oiling the track and rollers, as well as adjusting them and tightening hardware. If these measures don't work it is recommended that you seek advice from a professional to ensure that your patio is operating as it should. If you decide to replace or repair your patio door, make sure to check its warranty information to ensure that it is covered by the manufacturer's guarantee. This will save you money in the future for repairs and replacements.