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

Sliding Patio Door Repair and Replacement Sliding patio doors are a wonderful addition to any home. They're easy to operate and provide an expansive view. Like any other household door they're susceptible to wear and tear, which requires repair or replacement. Keep your sliding patio doors in working in good order by cleaning and lubricating them regularly. Lubricating with silicone spray or graphite will allow them to slide smoothly and extend their use. Roller Replacement If you notice that your sliding patio door isn't moving easily, it may simply require lubrication. If the rollers have become damaged or worn out then you'll need to replace them. Replace the rollers on your patio door to make your doors operate smoothly. Also, you will require less force to open or close them. If your patio door was constructed prior to 2000, you may need to remove the bottom portion of the frame to get access to the rollers. If this is the scenario, use a rubber mallet and a wood block to tap the door loose, and then pull it off. Save the roller screws to reinstall your new rollers. Sliding glass doors are important security factors in the majority of homes and need to be secured in a secure manner. Roller wheels that are damaged or worn out can make your door difficult to push open or closed and can create gaps around the door that burglars can exploit. Replacement of your patio door rollers will ensure that your home is well-protected from uninvited guests. After removal of the rails at the top and bottom, it is a great idea to clean the entire length of the track with an alcohol-soaked cloth. This will eliminate any grime and make the task of taking the doors off the tracks much simpler. The drainage holes on the bottom track should be obvious, but they are often blocked by dirt. If your track seems to be prone to accumulating lots of dirt, you may think about installing an u-shaped stainless steel piece that snaps onto the track and provides an extra channel for water to flow through. These are available from CR Laurence, as well as other retailers who specialize in sliding door parts. Remember to install the first panel before installing the top panel. You should be able test the doors once they are in their original position to make sure that they move smoothly and don't require any excessive force to open or shut. If they are still rough, you can always readjust the new rollers to allow them to move more freely. Weather Strip Replacement Your sliding door's weather strip seals wear down slowly, letting in drafts and moisture, which can increase your energy costs. It's a quick and simple task that can help you save money on heating bills. Sliding door weather stripping is available in a variety of materials, each having its own advantages and drawbacks. You'll want to choose a material that will be able to withstand friction and weather changes, temperature extremes and foot traffic without affecting the operation of the door. Foam and felt are inexpensive but are prone to weather and visible in the frame. Vinyl is more costly, but lasts years. Metals are strong, but may not look appropriate in the modern home. Plastic or rubber can wear away over time and require frequent replacement. To install new weather stripping, first remove the door from its casing. To do this, find the headstop on the top of the door – typically a thin strip of metal or plastic secured by screws. Remove the screw caps, and then employ a flathead to pull out the headstop from the bottom of your door. Remove the old weatherstripping and any residue with scraper or a putty blade. Do not attempt to remove the door from its track using just one person. You will need to use lots of force. Instead, you should have a second person keep the door in place while you take it off its frame. Locate the channels that hold your weather stripping. Plugs that match the color of your doors are best placed in these channels. Remove the plugs, and then pull the weather stripping to remove it from its channel. Fin Seal is the best type of weather stripping for sliding patio doors. This kind of weather stripping comes with a Mylar fin that is centered in the pile (brush material) and is extremely durable, suitable for nearly all climates, and is able to stand well to foot traffic. The back of the stripping is made of a flexible, hard material that is able to be able to withstand the demands of sliding patio door. Door Alignment Sliding patio doors are a wonderful option for any home. However, like many other things, they might require adjustments every now and then to ensure that they function at their best. Over time, these sliding patio doors will become worn out or misaligned. This can lead to issues like hitting frames, and not locking properly. Regular maintenance and minor adjustments will keep these issues from happening which will save you time and money. The most frequent cause of sliding door misalignment comes from damage to the tracks or rollers caused by sudden jolts and excessive force. A quick fix using the right tools can fix this issue, keeping your patio door moving smoothly for many years to come. It can be caused by fluctuations in temperature and humidity or weatherstripping wear, as well as inadequate installation. Parts can shift and become loose over time. This can cause the door to move, and not latch or close correctly. These shifts over time can result in air drafts, and possibly water leakage into your home. It is essential to clean and lubricate your sliding patio door track frequently to avoid these problems. A small amount of spray lubricant can easily be bought at any hardware retailer and applying it often with a small amount of brush will keep the track running smoothly. Another reason for misalignment of sliding patio doors is the latch hook that isn't aligned with the strike plate on the jamb. To correct this, open the door and expose the latch mechanism. This allows you to view 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 guarantee that the latch hits and connects to the strike plate without hindrance or resistance. Once you've made the necessary adjustments, test your door to ensure that it is sliding and locks correctly. Repeat the procedure if there are any issues, until your sliding patio door is fully functional. With these simple steps you can save yourself a lot of money by not requiring professionals to perform expensive repairs. Frame Replacement Over time, screws on sliding door frames can loosen and allow the frame to move slightly. By regularly tightening and checking these screws, you will be able to stop your doors from becoming stuck or jammed. A screen that is sagging can be fixed by a little clamping. However hinges that are loose may require replacement. Replacing a sliding patio door without replacing the frame is possible, but it requires careful evaluation of the condition of the current frame. This is a more cost-effective option than replacing the entire frame. It also can meet specific requirements like improved insulation. replace patio doors is the complete removal of the current hinged doors, windows and frame from the wall opening. This allows the new patio to be installed, and it will allow more flexibility in terms of style size, dimension and materials. Sliding glass doors are made to provide you with a stunning view of your backyard, however over time they can begin to show signs of wear and wear and tear. If your sliding glass doors are difficult to open or are stuck it may be necessary to replace the track or wheels. If the frame is in good shape replacing the doors might be enough. Make sure that your work area is clear of obstructions and that you've laid down a dropcloth. The next step is to lay the sliding door on a flat work surface and remove any removable grilles or shades from the frame. Then you can use a screwdriver to remove the plugs that are covering the screws that adjust the rollers at the bottom of the sliding door frame (they're usually covered with caps). After you've removed them, you can loosen the bottom of the sliding door and take it off the track. After the frame has been exposed and the frame is exposed, you can replace the track and sliding door wheels. If the track on your sliding door has deteriorated or is damaged and needs to be replaced, it is best to replace it instead of repairing it. You can purchase a kit to do a DIY project or have a professional do it for you. In either case, you must follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer for the proper installation.