Sliding Patio Doors Repairs Your sliding glass patio doors provide natural light and boost your home's energy efficiency. Over time, they may begin to show signs that require some attention. The majority of sliding patio door issues are fairly simple to fix. Learn more about how to keep your patio doors looking and working like new:. Tracks that are damaged or dirty Tracks One of the most common causes of sliding patio doors that won't open is dirty or blocked tracks. Over time, the dust and grime of everyday use accumulates on the track and can cause the door to become jammed or even fall apart completely. This buildup can be minimized by regular light cleaning of sliding doors and tracks during your regular chores. Begin by brushing or vacuuming any big debris from the tracks and then wiping them down with warm water and a non-abrasive cleaning product like dish soap. Adding a bit of vinegar to your cleaning product can also aid in the removal of stubborn dirt and grease staining. If you notice that your sliding door still won't move smoothly after following these steps, it may be an indication of more serious damage that requires professional repair or replacement. However, there are many easy fixes you can try before calling in the experts to save on costly repairs or replacements. It's important to place a doormat on the bottom of your sliding doors to help trap dirt before it can get to the tracks. Regularly trim any plants or shrubs that are located near your sliding door to limit the amount of debris that is tracked into the tracks. Also, make sure you close the door properly so it doesn't slam into the tracks and cause damage to the wheels and rollers. By keeping your doors clean and lubricated you can prolong their lifespan substantially. Rollers that are not aligned Occasionally the sliding patio door becomes misaligned or gets stuck. This usually happens due to dirt, or other obstructions that can be easily removed. But sometimes it can also be due to a bent track or roller. In this case, you may be able to realign the roller by taking them out using their adjustment screws and cleaning them using ruby alcohol. These parts can be fragile. If your doors are stuck, you can apply lubrication to the rollers. This will reduce friction and allow them to move more easily. It is recommended to use a silicone-based lubricant, as petroleum-based ones can attract dirt faster. It is essential to clean the tracks and rollers before applying lubricant. After you've cleaned your rollers, you are able to reinstall them using their adjustment screws. Use the same lubricant that you used to clean them. When you are reinstalling the rollers make sure you push them completely into their channels. You can test your door now and see if it slides smoothly. If the problem persists it could be necessary to remove the door and examine the rollers and tracks. If the tracks or wheels are badly bent they may require you to replace them. In such a case, it's a good idea to get an expert for the installation. Warped Glass Sliding glass doors are ideal for bringing the outdoors into your home and letting in natural sunlight but they could also be prone to damage that needs repair or replacement. The most frequent problems that occur include warping, cracking and fading. Warping occurs when the components that comprise your sliding glass patio door start to degrade due to heat, sun and other environmental factors. Cracks are often caused by the impact of a collision, for example from a lawn mower or ball run-in, whereas fading typically happens due to repeated contact with sunlight and other elements found in nature. If you have sliding glass patio doors that are hard to close and open it could be a sign that the rollers and tracks are not functioning correctly. This issue may result from the accumulation of dirt, rust, or debris in the track, misaligned wheels or a lack of lubrication. Regularly cleaning the rollers and tracks by removing obstructions, and then applying silicone spray can help resolve this problem. Another reason why your sliding patio doors may be difficult to open or close is that the locking mechanism is no longer working. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/chelmsford-patio-door-repairs-near-me/ could be caused by misalignment, wear and tear, or an amalgamation of both. To fix this issue, simply adjust the locking mechanism by turning the adjustable screws located at the bottom. Drafts or air leaks around your sliding patio doors are a typical problem that can drastically decrease their energy efficiency. They usually result from worn weather stripping and poor door alignment that is easily fixed by replacing the weather stripping and realigning the doors. Loose Handle When a sliding door's handle becomes loose, it could be quite annoying and make it difficult for people to open the door. This problem is usually caused by an incorrectly aligned locking mechanism which can be fixed by loosening the screws that secure it and then tightening them until they are snug against the jamb of the door. Another common reason for a handle to become loose is that it has separated from the spindle that connects the interior and exterior handles. This is usually the result of a variety of factors, such as excessive use or wear and tear or just general ageing. If the issue isn't dealt with quickly, the handle may become loose and fall off. To fix this problem it is necessary to find the screws that connect the interior and exterior handles. These screws are usually hidden behind tabs made of plastic that can be removed with a flathead (or a Phillips head screwdriver in some instances) 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 take off the spindle. This can be done by tapping the end with a hammer or mallet until it is free of its place within the door. The new handle is fitted by putting the spindle into the hole for the handle inside and the other end through the hole on the outside of the handle. Once the handle is in place, it can be tightened by screwing the screws back into place and then examining to confirm that the lock and unlock mechanisms work properly. Faulty Weatherstripping A damaged or cracked weatherstripping could allow air and water to get through your patio doors, compromising the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. In addition to letting in moisture, it can create drafts and also increase your heating or cooling costs. It's easy to replace faulty weatherstripping, even without the assistance of a professional. First, you must remove the old stripping by either loosing its staples with a screwdriver or prying it gently using a putty knife, and then lifting it away from the door. Clean the area, and then apply a layer of weatherstripping which is secured by foam seal. This will stop leaks and improve the comfort of your. If your sliding patio doors are no working as they should, it's important to address the issue immediately to prevent further damage and keep them functional for years to come. Depending on the severity of the problem is and the severity of the issue, an DIY solution or a professional repair/replacement could be the best choice. Most problems with sliding patio doors are caused by dirty rollers, faulty tracks, and an untidy handle. In most cases these issues can be addressed by regular maintenance and cleaning, which includes fluidizing the track and rollers, as well as adjusting them and tightening the hardware. If these methods are not working it is recommended that you seek professional advice in order to make sure that your patio is functioning just as it should. Make sure to check the warranty information prior to you decide to replace or repair your patio door. This will save you money in the future for repairs and replacements.