15 Things Your Boss Wished You'd Known About Patio Doors Repairs

Sliding Patio Doors Repairs

Your sliding patio doors can bring sunlight into your home and increase its energy efficiency. However, with time, they can show signs of wear and tear that require some maintenance.

Luckily, most of the issues with sliding patio doors are fairly easy to fix. Find out how you can keep your sliding patio door track repair doors looking and functioning like new.

Dirty or damaged Tracks

The tracks of your sliding patio door might be dirty or clogged. Over time, dirt and grime from everyday use can build up on the track. This could cause the door jam to become damaged or break completely.

The buildup can be slowed by incorporating regular light cleaning of tracks and sliding doors in your routine chores. Start by brushing or vacuuming any big debris from the tracks, and then wipe them clean using warm water and a non-abrasive cleaner, such as dish soap. Vinegar can be added to your cleaning solution to get rid of stubborn grease and dirt staining.

If you find that your sliding door isn't able to move smoothly after following these steps, it could be the sign of more severe damage that requires professional repair or replacement. But, there are simple fixes you can try before calling in the professionals to save on costly repairs or replacements.

Place a doormat under your sliding doors. This will help keep dirt out of the tracks. You should also regularly cut back any bushes or plants near your sliding doors to minimize the amount of debris trapped in the tracks. Make sure to close the door in a way that it doesn't slam into the tracks and damage the wheels and rollers. You can extend the life of your doors by maintaining them clean and lubricated.

Rollers that are misaligned

Occasionally, a sliding patio door may become out of alignment or becomes stuck. Usually, this is due to dirt or other obstructions that can be easily removed. Sometimes it's due a bent roller or track. In the latter scenario, you may be able to straighten the roller by extracting them with the adjustment screws and cleaning them with ruby alcohol. These parts can be fragile.

If your doors are still stuck, you can grease the rollers. This will reduce friction and allow them to move more easily. Use a silicone-based product, as petroleum-based lubricants can attract dirt more quickly. It is important to clean the tracks and rollers prior to applying lubricant.

After cleaning the rollers you can put them back in place using their adjustment screws. Use the same lubricant that you used to clean them. When reinstalling the rollers, make sure you push them completely into their channels. You can test the door and see if it moves smoothly.

If the issue persists, it may be necessary to remove the door and examine the tracks and rollers. If the rollers or tracks are bent badly, they may need to be replaced. In this case it's best to get an expert to install the tracks.

Warped Glass

Sliding glass doors are excellent for bringing the outdoors into your home and letting natural light in but they could also be susceptible to damage that requires repair or replacement. Cracks, warping and fading are a few of the most frequent issues. Warping occurs when the materials which make up your sliding glass patio doors repairs near me door start to degrade due to exposure to sun, heat and other environmental factors. The most common cause of cracking is impact damage such as the impact of a lawnmowers blade or ball that is smashed into the door. Fading usually occurs because of repeated exposure to sunlight as well as other elements.

If your sliding patio doors aren't easy to open or close it could be a sign that their rollers and tracks are not functioning correctly. This problem may be caused by the accumulation of dirt or rust in the track or wheels or due to a lack of or lubrication. This issue can be solved by cleaning the rollers, tracks and removing obstructions.

Another reason why your sliding patio doors may be difficult to open or close is because the locking mechanism is no longer working. It could be caused by misalignment, wear and tear or the combination of both. To fix this issue, simply adjust the locking mechanism by turning the adjustable screws at the bottom.

Air leaks or drafts around your sliding patio doors repairs patio door are a typical problem that can reduce their energy efficiency. They typically originate from worn weather stripping and poor door alignment and can be easily corrected by replacing the weather stripping and aligning the doors.

Loose Handle

It can be quite frustrating when the handle of sliding doors becomes loose. It becomes difficult to open. This problem is caused by an incorrectly aligned lock mechanism. It can be fixed by loosing and tightening the screws holding it in the correct position.

A loose handle could be caused by the handle breaking off from the spindle that connects it to the inside or handles outside. This can be caused by a variety of reasons, including excessive use, wear-and-tear or just aging. If the problem isn't resolved quickly, the handle can become loose and fall off.

To solve this issue to fix it, you must first identify the screws that join the interior and exterior handles. They are usually concealed by tabs made of plastic, which can be removed with a flathead screwdriver (or in the case of some handle styles, a Phillips-head screwdriver). Securely store these screws to ensure they don't get lost.

After removing the handles then the next step would be to remove the spindle. This can be done by tapping the end with a mallet or hammer until it is free of its place inside the door. The new handle can be installed by simply placing 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. Once the handle has been installed, tighten it by screwing back the screws and then test to ensure the lock and unlock mechanism functions correctly.

Afflicted Weatherstripping

A damaged or cracked weatherstripping may let water and air seep through your patio doors, which can compromise the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. It can let in moisture and create drafts that will increase your heating and cooling costs. Fortunately, replacing faulty weatherstripping is an easy fix that doesn't require any professional help. You can take off the old weatherstripping by loosing the staples using an screwdriver, or gently squeezing it with the help of a putty blade, and then taking it off the door. You can then clean the area and apply an additional layer of weatherstripping that is backed with an adhesive. This will stop leaks and increase comfort.

If your sliding patio door isn't functioning as it should, you have to address the issue immediately to avoid further damage and keep them functional for many years to be. Depending on how severe the problem is and the severity of the issue, it's possible to choose a DIY solution or a professional repair/replacement might be the best choice.

Most problems with sliding patio doors are caused by dirty rollers, faulty tracks, or an untidy handle. These issues can usually be solved through regular cleaning and maintenance, such as lubricating and adjusting the track and tightening the hardware. However, if these measures don't work, it's best to seek advice from a professional to make sure that your patio door is working as it should. If you decide to replace or repair patio doors your patio door repair door, make certain to verify its warranty information to make sure that it is covered under the manufacturer's warranty. This will save you money on repairs or replacements in the near future.