Sliding Patio Doors Repairs Your sliding patio doors will let sunlight into your home and increase the efficiency of your home's energy usage. As time passes, they could start to show signs that require some maintenance. Luckily, most of the problems with sliding patio doors are simple to address. Find out how you can keep your sliding patio doors looking and functioning like new. Dirty or damaged Tracks The tracks of your sliding patio door may be dirty or clogged. Over time, the grit and grime from daily use build up on the track and can cause the door to jam or even break down completely. Regularly cleaning sliding doors and tracks in your household chores can help to reduce the amount of accumulation. Start by brushing or vacuuming any big debris from the tracks and then wipe them clean using warm water and a non-abrasive cleaner like dish soap. Adding a bit of vinegar to your cleaning solution can help in removing stubborn grease and dirt staining. If your sliding door still not moving smoothly even after you have followed these steps, it could be a sign there is more damage. This may require a professional to repair or replace the door. There are a few basic solutions you can try 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 keep dirt out before it can get to the tracks. Regularly trim any plants and bushes that are near your sliding door to reduce the amount of debris that is tracked into the tracks. Make sure to close the door correctly so that it doesn't slam into the tracks and damage the rollers and wheels. You can extend the life of your doors by maintaining them clean and lubricated. Misaligned https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/eastleigh-patio-door-repairs-near-me/ , a sliding patio can become misaligned. Most often, this is due to obstructions such as dirt or other that can be easily fixed. Sometimes, it's due to bent tracks or a bent roller. In the latter case, you may be able to straighten the roller by taking them out by using the adjustment screws and cleaning them using ruby alcohol. Be cautious when working with these parts, as they can be delicate. If your doors remain stuck, you can try lubricating the rollers to reduce friction and allow them to slide. Make use of a silicone-based product because petroleum-based lubricants may attract dirt more quickly. It is also important to clean the rollers and tracks prior to lubricating them. After cleaning the rollers you can put them back on using the adjustment screws. Use the same lubricant you used to clean them. Make sure you push the rollers fully into their channels when you reinstall them. You can now test your door and see if it slides smoothly. If the problem continues it may be necessary to remove your door and inspect the tracks and rollers for any more serious issues. If the wheels or tracks are bent in a way it could be necessary to replace them. In such a scenario it's best to call in a professional for the installation. Warped Glass Sliding glass doors are ideal to bring in the outdoors and natural sunlight into a space, but they are also susceptible to damages that require repair or replacement. The most frequent issues that can occur are warping, cracking and fading. Warping occurs when the materials that make up your sliding glass patio door begin to degrade due to sun, heat and other environmental factors. Cracking is often caused by impacts, such as a lawnmower or ball smacking into the door. Fading typically occurs because of repeated exposure to sunlight as well as other elements. If you have sliding glass patio doors that are hard to close and open it could indicate that the rollers and tracks do not work properly. This problem may be caused by accumulated dirt or rust on the track or wheels, or by a lack or lubrication. Cleaning the rollers and tracks by removing obstructions, and then applying silicone spray can aid in resolving this issue. The locking mechanism may also be faulty and make it difficult to open and shut your sliding patio doors. It could be due to misalignment or wear and tear, or the combination of both. To fix this issue, simply adjust the locking mechanism by turning the adjustment screws at the bottom. Air leaks or drafts around your sliding patio door are a typical issue that can affect their energy efficiency. They are usually caused by damaged weather stripping or an improper alignment of the door that is easily fixed by replacing the weather stripping and realigning the doors. Loose Handle It can be quite frustrating when the handle of the sliding door is loose. It can be difficult to open. This issue is usually caused by a misaligned 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 can also result from the handle separating from the spindle that connects it to the inside or exterior handles. This can be due to a variety of factors including excessive use, wear and tear, or simply general ageing. If the problem isn't resolved quickly, the handle can be loosened and fall off. To solve this issue it is necessary to identify the screws that join the handles' exterior and interior. The screws are typically hidden behind tabs made of plastic that can be removed using a flathead (or a Phillips head screwdriver in some cases) screwdriver. It's a good idea to keep these screws safe so that you don't lose them. After removing the old handles then the next step would be to remove the spindle. This can be done by tapping the end of the spindle using an hammer until removed from its position inside the door. The new handle can be put in place by simply placing the spindle through the hole on the handle inside and placing the other end of the spindle through the hole in the exterior handle. Once the handle has been installed and tightened, screw back the screws. Then, test to make sure the lock and unlock mechanism is working correctly. Faulty Weatherstripping Weatherstripping that is damaged or cracked can let air and water seep into your patio door, which can compromise your home's comfort and energy efficiency. In addition to letting in water, it can create drafts and also increase your heating or cooling costs. Fortunately, replacing faulty weatherstripping is an easy fix that doesn't require any professional assistance. First, you need to remove the old stripping by loosening its staples using the help of a screwdriver or by pinning it gently with the help of a putty knife before taking it off the door. Then, you can clean the area, and apply a layer of weatherstripping which is secured by foam seal. This will stop leaks and enhance the comfort. If your sliding patio doors are no operating as they should, it's important to fix the issue as soon as possible to prevent further damage and keep them functional for a long time to come. Depending on the severity of the issue, DIY or professional repair/replacement may be the best choice. Most sliding patio door problems are caused by dirty rollers, misaligned tracks, or a loose handle. These issues are usually solved by regular maintenance and cleaning, such as changing the track's lubricant and adjust, and tightening the hardware. If these solutions don't work, you should seek out professional help to ensure that your patio is working 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 later on.