Patio Doors Repair - How to Fix a Wet Dog and Save Your Dog From Cold, Wet Feet Patio doors are a great option to connect your home to the outside. They offer a pleasant and convenient transition. By keeping air inside your home, they could help you save cash on cooling or heating bills. But with time, your sliding glass or French doors may lose their appeal. Simple repairs can keep your sliding glass or French doors looking like new. Weatherstripping It's 5 am and you're taking your dog out for his morning jog when you step into a puddle of water right in front of your sliding patio doors. You turn around and see that the rain of last night ripped through the patio door seals. Be prepared, this isn't going to be a simple task in five minutes. With a bit of patience and some tools to fix the issue, you'll be able to do it and save your dog from wet, cold feet. It is important to replace the weatherstripping which closes the gap between your door and jamb. This will stop drafts, pests, and moisture. This will also help keep your energy bills down. If https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/rochdale-patio-door-repairs-near-me/ look at your doors and windows, you can tell if the weatherstripping needs to be replaced or not. There are many types of weatherstripping that are available, including felt, open-cell foam and thermoplastic rubber, as well as metals such as bronze or copper. Each type has its advantages and drawbacks. Felt and open cell foam are inexpensive, but they tend to be ineffective and visible at blocking airflow. Vinyl is more expensive, but it's durable and resistant to moisture. Rubber is an excellent choice for high-traffic areas because it doesn't wear out as quickly. To install new weatherstripping, you must first remove the patio door from the frame by loosening the roller adjustment screws using the help of a screwdriver. Then using a flathead screwdriver remove the plugs that keep the weatherstripping in place at the bottom of the frame. Then, remove the weatherstripping that was previously in place and scrape any adhesive from the frame's bottom. Then, cut the new to the appropriate length, then peel back the plastic strip on the other side and attach it to the jamb using the putty knife. Reinstall the door, and adjust the roller screws to ensure it is properly seated in the track. Apply waterproof caulk wherever the stationary panel is positioned to block sliding door and where the edge of the panel joins the frame. This is not a more secure seal than weatherstripping, but it should be able to last for a period of time. Locks and Handles Patio door handles and locks are essential to the security of your home. As time passes, they may get worn or damaged and need to be replaced. Additionally, the spindle which connects the exterior and interior handles could also require to be replaced. To replace a handle on a patio door, you must remove the previous one first by taking off any screws that hold it in the place. After removing the handle, you can use a level and make sure that the door is straight. If the door isn't straight, it could cause problems for the lock. This could cause issues in the future. Once you have the new handle, close and open it several times to ensure it is working effectively. If you have any issues, you should consult the manufacturer's guidelines or a specialist in hardware for assistance. It's recommended to grease the lock mechanism using a silicone-based lubricant in order to avoid future issues. The most commonly used door lock for patio doors is a mortise latch. It is typically made of steel and fits inside a pocket that has been cut into the frame of the door. These kinds of locks are used on aluminum and wood sliding doors. Before ordering a replacement mortise lock, you need to measure. You will need to know the location of mounting holes as well as the location within the keyway lock. Some patio door handles are equipped with the ability to lock the handle. These handles come with an elongated key cylinder that fits into the handle's keyway. If you have this type of patio door both the inside and exterior locks are combined into one. This kind of patio door is most often found on aluminum sliding doors. If your patio door latch doesn't stay locked It could be due to the lock tongue isn't grasping the jamb's hasp correctly. Another possibility is that the sliding door is not fully parallel to the side jamb. Try opening the door for about an inch and placing it against the frame to determine if there is any gap between the door and the jamb. If there is a gap, reposition the rollers to the bottom left or right side of the patio until it is exactly parallel to the jamb. Misalignment Over time the door's tracks and rollers can lose their proper alignment. This can cause the door to stick or become difficult to move. It can also allow cold air and drafts to be able to enter your home, which can reduce the efficiency of your home's energy usage. Luckily, misalignment is easy to fix and prevent. Applying a silicone-based grease the rollers and tracks can allow your doors to glide again. This is a good idea if you want to ensure that your doors are operating at their best. A damaged screen could also be an issue. It can be a hassle or an issue. In addition, it can hinder the doors from opening and closing properly, which can lead to energy loss. In some cases the damaged screen can be replaced, but in others it's necessary to replace the entire door. If you're experiencing a tear in your screen, clean it thoroughly and be sure not to turn the door handles the wrong way when closing and opening. Hinges may loosen over time due to heavy usage or normal wear. This can be fixed by tightening screws regularly. It's a simple task that you can perform yourself. If you're not confident doing it yourself, you must seek out a professional. It's also a good idea to regularly clean your patio doors track and rollers. A simple brushing or vacuuming will remove dust and debris that could impede the smooth operation of your patio doors. You can utilize a special tool for the most stubborn dirt or corrosion. Inspecting and tightening the hinges' screws can aid in re-alignment however, sometimes it's necessary to replace them altogether to ensure a strong, solid seal. The alignment and performance of your patio doors can be affected when the frames are warped or sagging. Warping or shifting can be caused by foundation changes, however, it can also result due to poor installation or regular use. A professional can replace or repair your patio door frame and ensure that it is properly aligned. This will allow it to perform its best. Rollers The sliding patio doors are an excellent way to let the outdoors in and let in lots of light, but they need some attention to ensure they are running smoothly. If you notice that you have to really pull the handle to get your door to move, or simply doesn't move as smoothly as it did in the past, the culprit may be the rollers. Over time, the lower track may become clogged with dirt, sand, and mud, making it difficult for the rollers to roll over. You can try cleaning it and spraying it with a lubricant, such as 2Slick. If the tracks have been cleaned but the rollers not moving freely, it's time to replace them. There are a variety of replacement rollers that will fit your door and the type of track you have. You can purchase them at most hardware stores however, you will require someone to help you remove and reinstall the rollers. Before you purchase replacements, take an accurate picture of the roller assembly mounted in the door frame so experts can determine the specific model and type you require. They can also look for specific characteristics like bumps, dimples, cut-outs and flared edges that could narrow your the options for replacement. After replacing the rollers you'll have to reinstall the sliding door in its frame. It's a heavy door, so you may need some help. Check to see if there are any screws holding the track on either side of frame. If so, make sure they are loose enough to allow the door's bottom to fall into the channel above the frame. Remove the screen door from the opening. Make sure that it is free of the track, rollers and track. When the new rollers are in, carefully insert the door into the frame and then swing it into place. If the rollers are adjustable you can adjust them to ensure that the door has enough clearance.