Sliding Patio Doors Repairs Your sliding patio doors will let the outdoors in to your home, and will increase the efficiency of your home's energy usage. As time passes, they could start to show signs that require some attention. Fortunately, the majority of issues with sliding patio doors are simple to address. Find out how to keep your sliding patio doors looking and functioning like new. Dirty or damaged tracks The tracks of your sliding patio door may be filthy or blocked. Over time, the grit and grime of daily use build up on the track and can cause the door to jam or even break down completely. A regular cleaning of sliding doors and their tracks as part of your household chores can help minimize this build-up. Begin by cleaning large debris off the tracks. Then make use of warm water and non-abrasive cleansing products, such as dish soap, to clean them. A little vinegar added to your cleaning solution may also aid in the removal of stubborn dirt and grease stains. If your sliding door still won't move smoothly after completing these steps, it could be a sign of more serious damage and requires a professional repair or replacement. There are a few easy fixes you can do before calling in professionals to avoid costly repairs or replacements. It is important to put a doormat near the bottom of your sliding doors to trap dirt before it has a chance to get to the tracks. You should also regularly cut back any bushes or plants near your sliding doors to minimize the amount of debris that gets tracked into the tracks. Close the door properly to ensure that you don't damage the rollers or wheels. By keeping your doors clean and lubricated, you can prolong their lifespan substantially. Rollers that are misaligned Occasionally, a sliding patio door becomes misaligned or gets stuck. Usually, this is due to dirt or other obstructions which can be easily removed. Sometimes it's due to bent track or a bent roller. In this situation, you can realign the rollers by taking them off using the adjustment screws and then cleaning with rubbing alcohol. Be cautious, as these parts are fragile. If your doors are still stuck, you can apply lubrication to the rollers. This will reduce friction and allow them to slide more easily. It is recommended to make use of a silicone-based lubricant since petroleum-based ones tend to draw dirt more quickly. It is also important to clean the rollers and tracks before lubricating them. Once you've cleaned the rollers, you can put them back in place them using their adjustment screws. Use the same lubricant you used to clean them. Make sure to push the rollers completely in their channels when reinstalling them. You can now test your door and see if it moves smoothly. If the problem persists it may be necessary to take down your door and inspect the rollers and tracks for any more serious issues. If the rollers or tracks are bent badly they might need to be replaced. It is best to engage a professional to install the tracks or rollers in this case. Warped Glass Sliding glass door are great to bring the outdoors into your home and letting in natural sunlight but they could also be vulnerable to damage that needs repair or replacement. Some of the most frequent problems that occur include warping, cracking and fade. Warping happens when the materials that comprise your sliding glass patio door start to degrade as a result of exposure to heat, sun and other environmental factors. The most common cause of cracking is the impact of the impact of a lawnmowers or ball hitting into the door. Fading is usually because of repeated exposure to sunlight as well as other elements. If you have sliding glass patio doors that are hard to open and close, this could be a sign that the rollers and tracks are not functioning properly. This issue could be caused by the accumulation of dirt or rust in the wheels or track, or by a lack or lubrication. Cleaning the rollers and tracks clearing obstructions and applying silicone spray may aid in resolving this issue. Another reason your sliding patio doors might be difficult to open or close is that the locking mechanism is no longer working. It could be due to misalignment, wear and tear or an amalgamation of both. To fix this issue, simply adjust the locking mechanism by turning the adjustable screws on the bottom. Air leaks or drafts around your sliding patio door are a common issue that can affect the efficiency of your home's energy usage. These issues are typically caused by worn-out weather stripping or poor door alignment. This can be easily fixed by replacing the weather stripping and re-aligning your doors. Loose Handle It can be quite frustrating when the handle of a sliding door becomes loose. It makes it difficult to open. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/bournemouth-patio-door-repairs-near-me/ for this is an incorrectly aligned lock mechanism. It can be repaired by tightening and loosening the screws that hold it in the correct position. A loose handle could be caused by the handle separating from the spindle connecting it to the interior or handles on the outside. This is typically the result of a mix 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 eventually falling off completely. The most effective way to address this issue is to start by locating the screws that attach the handles' exterior and interior. These screws are usually hidden behind plastic tabs that can be removed with a flathead (or a Phillips head screwdriver, in some cases) 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 mallet or hammer until it falls free from its position within the door. The new handle is fitted by putting the spindle into the handle hole inside and the other end through the hole in the handle on the outside. After the handle is installed, tighten it by screwing back the screws, and then check to ensure that the lock and unlock mechanism is working properly. Weatherstripping that isn't working properly A cracked or worn weatherstripping may allow air and water to seep through your patio doors, compromising the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. It could let in moisture and create drafts, which can increase your heating and cooling costs. It's easy to replace faulty weatherstripping without professional assistance. The first step is to take off the old stripping by either loosing its staples with the help of a screwdriver or by pinning it gently with the help of a putty knife before pulling it off the door. Then, you can wash the area and apply a new layer of weatherstripping that is secured by a foam seal to ensure that there are no leaks and to increase comfort. If your sliding patio door is not working as it should, you must to fix the issue as soon as possible to prevent further damage and keep them functional for many years to be. Depending on the nature of the problem, DIY or professional repair/replacement could be the best option. Most sliding patio door problems are caused by dirty rollers, misaligned tracks, and a loose handle. In most cases these issues can be fixed with regular maintenance and cleaning, which includes lubricating the track, adjusting the rollers and tightening the hardware. However, if these methods don't work, it's best to seek advice from a professional to ensure that your patio door is working exactly as it should. Check the warranty information before you decide to replace or repair your patio door. This can save you money on repairs or replacements in the near future.